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