Taking blood pressure doesn't have to be a nightmare.....

[Mish1920]

Up until my PMR symptoms appeared I had never had problems having my blood pressure taken. Well I say never had problems - I didn't enjoy it, but it was necessary from time to time. I have my own bp machine at home, a good indicator when I'm not well. Then, a few weeks ago during my diabetic review when the nurse put the cuff on and switched on the machine I got such a shock as my upper arm blew up like it was ready to explode. The pain shot through to my underarm and I gasped n shock. The nurse immediately switched off the machine, remarked on the reaction in my arm and we left it at that. My already sore arm felt mangled and I wondered if it had been permanently damaged. It was only a week later I was diagnosed with PMR.

So last week, two weeks after my diagnosis and taking Prednisolone I went to GP and saw a locum. When he took my blood pressure I was alarmed to see the same reaction to the one with the nurse and asked him to stop. I told him I had recently been diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica and the machine was hurting my arm. He told me the reaction was due to moving my hand and not sitting still. 63 years-old and GP thinks he can speak to me like I'm a child!

I was disappointed when I left his office. After all the pain I had been through, for him to totally disregard my distress was quite upsetting. My arm and back of shoulder felt weak all day.

Yesterday I had a hospital appointment at the Cardiac Unit. It had now become clear to me that the muscle in my upper arm was not strong enough to tolerate the GP cuff. I felt quite stressed at the thoughts of my blood pressure being taken again but how unreasonable would I be to refuse - in the Cardia Unit where they are only trying to help me. So in I went and after the formalities the nurse picked up the blood pressure cuff - and my heart sank. I was too tired for the confrontation yet the thoughts of the pain and the damage I think it might be doing to my fragile arm made me speak up.

"I'm really sorry" I said "but I've recently been diagnosed with Polymyalgia and having my blood pressure taken really hurts my arm." I was about to say that I'd have a go as long as she assured me she would stop immediately if I requested her to do so but she said, "Oh that's ok. I'll take it from the bottom of your leg!"

I nearly fell off the chair. Honestly I could have cried watching her stoop down to wrap the cuff around my ankle. I'd worried about it all day and now without question she put me at my ease. So a big thank you to that lovely nurse.

So I've decided that for now the bp cuff on my arm is a no-go because there are alternatives. I think the arm may have a more accurate reading but it really will be a while before I let anybody take blood pressure on my arm.

I wonder has anybody else had a similar experience whilst having their blood pressure taken.

Mish

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I had severe pain as they inflated the cuff for years before I finally got a diagnosis of PMR. I have read somewhere that they wonder about this pain being an indicator of PMR.

I would have severe words with that GP - it's his job to listen to his patients not be rude. I've had BP taken in a lot of different situations for research and moving or wriggling fingers never made a difference.

[Mish1920 in reply to PMRpro]

It's interesting hearing you say the pain could be an indicator. Having my bp taken never bothered me until recently and it HAS to be connected to PMR.

The thing is going to hospital or even the GPs is stressful enough and they should arm themselves with all this information.

I was so stressed yesterday I forgot to display my blue badge and came out to a £30 parking fine in the hospital car park but after what that lovely nurse did I refused to let that Job's Worth Traffic Warden spoil my day. It's not as if the car park was free. I paid in the machine and then found the fine on my windscreen.

Good job I was in a good mood...

[Nannie-C]

Read this and thought that's what I've felt recently on getting BP readings. Thought the pain was just because was stressed at either OP Dept or in GP surgery or cuff too long. Was slightly easier with shorter cuff but still sore. Anyway what it does is put my BP through the roof and then they check it again and think my control is poor and I'm left with really sore arm. Interested to think this is another PMR problem, where will it end Will mention it to Rheumy in September and get her thoughts, meantime hope Cardiologist on Monday will understand my reluctance for BP reading! 😞

[Mish1920 in reply to Nannie-C]

Thank God for this forum where we not only share our experiences and support each other but professionals can tap into it too. It's all a learning curve, isn't it, with this often difficult to diagnose, PMR?

I'd say most of us feel a little stressed going to GP or the hospital and find it hard to question such a basic procedure, but a good nurse will become an even better one if she takes on board what we say, accepts it is too painful and looks for other options.

I take my blood pressure at home and it averages 120/75 but in the GP surgery my BP is through the roof but it won't be any more because they won't be taking it on my arm.

Good luck on Monday and please let's know how you get on.

Mish