I just got back from a few days in the hospital.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

Last Wed. I had what I thought to be a major arthritic flare-up. I lay there all day gulping pain pills to dull the pain in my aching joints. The following day I felt much better in the morning, but early afternoon I became very cold and had to hide under my winter blankets.

As I woke from a deep sleep I realized I had become extremely hot, so I got my sister to take my temperature, which ended up being 102.9. As my natural temp is a degree cool that meant I had an effective temp of 103.9.

She got me to the ER, where I was admitted for what ended up being diagnosed as pneumonia.

After 3 days of IV fluids and antibiotics it cleared up and I was released back into the world today, feeling much better.

I have no idea what the root cause was- I only know it's never happened before, but I'll bet it happens again. Shit just happens when you get into your 60s.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear Prisoner_Number_Six!

Oh wow, that is one scary scenario. I'm glad your sister was there and on the ball for you.

Pneumonia needs to be stopped in its tracks, and that did happen.

When you're able, get a pneumonia shot, if you haven't gotten one in a while. They help.

I'm glad to hear from you!

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

9. To quote the old Neil Young song

"Out of the blue and into the black..."

I've built up my strength by intensive workouts over the past four years, so that was a big factor. Words of wisdom: Never stop exercising! You'll have plenty of time to rest when you're dead.

[NightWatcher]

2. Glad you're better. It's a crappy day when your body gives you the middle finger

I'll pass along my unsolicited medical advice. Cannabis.
It'll fix ya or make you not give a rip.
Glad you're feeling better.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

5. 2 small problems there

1. - The hospital I go to is a VA hospital.
B. - They tend to give random pee tests from time to time.

Still, there is the occasional window I've been known to take advantage of.....

[Sanity Claws]

3. Good thing your sister was there

She seems like a life-saver.
Be sure to invite her for Thanksgiving Dinner. It's just three months away.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

6. She's a retired nurse.

Also, I rent part of her house so I see her every day.

[MH1]

4. Ow, sorry to hear that. Had pneumonia myself this spring.

It took me a few weeks to get fully back. If you think you're all better after 3 days, either you had way better docs than I did, or you'd better take it easy and not go running any marathons for the next couple months.

In any case, glad you're feeling better!

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

8. They say they caught it early.

The x-ray they took on Sunday indicates my lungs are clear.

I am still a bit weak and tired, so although I do intend to continue my fitness workouts I will indeed go slowly. I'm in no hurry.

[femmocrat]

7. Glad you are better, Prisoner!

My grand daughter just had pneumonia! No idea how she got it, but she bounced back quickly.

Have you had the pneumonia vaccine?

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

10. Yes, I've had the vaccine.

That may be why I got better in just three days.

[skylucy]

12. So glad you have recovered. My husband caught the flu a couple of years ago and it went into

pneumonia. He had gotten a flu shot, but not a pneumonia shot. He felt better after he recovered but for more than a month afterward he got tired really easily. He slowly got his strength and energy back, but had to rest and sleep more than usual. He asked the doctor about it and she said that was normal. So... Take it slow and easy and give your body plenty of time to get its strength back.
Peace

[UTUSN]

11. Welcome home. Wait'll you get into your *late* 60s. And beyond.

I've probably told this story before. Back when I automatically respected doctors and didn't know they came in all varieties of compentence, this jerk said something.

I was in my 50s back then and had never had health problems. Then that year little things happened, one after the other, and I said to the jerk, "Doc, I've never been sick. What's going on?"

He had my chart in front of him, so he knew my DOB. So he fixed an ugly look on me and asked, "How old are you?!1" I said, "Fifty." And he said with withering disgust, "This is what FIFTY is like!1"

I was taken aback, but took it from an idol doctor. Why would I think an idol doctor would be rude and crude?

So, years later I told my aunt in her 90s about it and she said, "Sweetie, he was rude to you, but he TOLD YOU THE TRUTH!1"

Also, when I told it at the VFW, some old(er) dudes said, "Wait till you're 60." (or 70. or 80)

[cwydro]

15. That's not been my experience with my 50s.

I'm a runner and a cyclist, as well enjoying working out with weights four days a week.

If you take care of yourself, your body will respond in kind.

My mom, who is 90, played competitive tennis into her late 70s.

[UTUSN]

16. Well, I'm not a runner, cyclist, and don't enjoy working out, so that's probably part of the

anecdotal difference. Although, on my mother's side, the longevity has run to 102, with most in the 90s, all with total acuity. Except for one uncle who played baseball, just about none particularly took care of themselves in the boutique exercising sense. Many of us *did* have developed right arms, however, "lifting".

[cwydro]

17. Lol. My elbow is in pretty good shape too.

I've also had a lot of outdoor, physical jobs, especially in my youth...I think that makes a big difference as well.

[UTUSN]

18. Whew, I was worried about sounding snarky, especially in a good-vibes thread.

But once again, my over-developed elbow has "lifting" causes different from your "outdoor, physical jobs"!1

[cwydro]

19. Oh no, my elbow is exercised in that same way pretty often lol!

Nothing like a cold beer after "boutique exercise"

[RobinA]

13. Maybe Lyme?

when I had Lyme the body aches were incredible and I had a significant fever. With Lyme you need to make sure you are fully treated, because it will seem like it has gone away temporarily. You don't need a bulls eye to have Lyme, I had red blotches all over me, but no bulls eye.

[Fla Dem]

14. Glad you had the good sense to go to the hospital and glad you're back home recovering.

[RebelOne]

20. I was in the hospital 4 days last week

with pneumonia. I am under treatment. I go back every other day for IV infusion treatments with an antibiotic until this Sat. when hopefully all the infection is cleared up. Shit also happens when you are in your 70s.