Catch 22

[Soraya_PMR]

With thanks to SheffieldJane’s information, I checked my BP in both arms last week when visiting my Dad, and discovered a difference, (128/85 + 111/77) but am quite prepared to believe his electronic sphyg was being temperamental.

I rang my surgery today to request a nurse appointment to check, and explained why I wanted this, but was told that it had to be sanctioned by the doctor, and was he monitoring my BP? Well no he isn’t, but he probably should be! (No-one has taken my BP throughout my PMR)

What I have to do is record my BP three more times, then give the results to the surgery. But I don’t happen to own a sphyg, which is precisely why I’m asking the nurse to check it. But no, that is NOT allowed. I seem to have reached an impasse. Who said preventive medicine was the forefront of the NHS nowadays?

Problem solved: I contacted my pharmacy and popped up within the hour. Both arms the same, although 10 points higher than my normal. The lovely HCA has booked me for another check next week, and knew what PMR is as her mother had it.

I noticed while waiting that the pharmacist is now a prescriber for simple infections (skin, UTI, chest) at a cost of £15.....plus private prescription cost.....plus dispensing cost. This is probably getting expensive, although maybe preferable to a 2 week wait for my GP.

Insidious erosion of what was our fantastic NHS

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I know the NHS is struggling, but that’s a bit naughty really. Whatever happened to free at the point of delivery? Maybe the start of things to come.

It might be interesting to see in 3 months time what the take up is! There’s a little project for you to while away the winter days 😉

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The pharmacy has been able to give certain things for some time - didn't know they got to charge £15 for it though. No, don't see THAT catching on somehow...

[Soraya_PMR in reply to PMRpro]

I think it might for proactive patients who know what they need and aren’t prepared to wait a week for a GP appt.

Or for people like my hubby who is away all week and only home when the surgery is closed. Seeking attention via 111 can be exasperating. I can see him taking advantage of a Prescriber Pharmacist. Time is money!

[SheffieldJane]

Gosh! I am gob smacked by all of that for different reasons. Glad you are getting your BP monitored now. I would have thought it was basic care whilst on steroids. I hope it turns out to be nothing. Mine was normal and the same in each arm for the GP. Different in each arm several times in the hospital, but none of them really trust the Sphyg. Thingy.

I bought one for about £30.00, seems quite consistent.

[Soraya_PMR in reply to SheffieldJane]

Maybe I’ll add sphygmomanometer to my Christmas list.

Personally I don’t like the electronic versions. I much prefer the old mercury tubes...and you know what? Clever nurse can HEAR the pulse at the same time.

Same as the radial pulse taking of old, is it regular? Thready? Bounding? A pulse taken properly is not just a number.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Definitely - but they are a bit tricky for taking your own BP!!!!!

What annoyed me in hospital was lazy nurses taking the figures for BP and pulse from the ECG monitor. The pulse was nowhere near right a lot of the time and as for quality...

[Hidden]

Calibration of these devices to use at home is a problem. Who does it? Certainly not the chemist who flogged me theirs. My experience in hospital was hit & miss. A few tries till they got the reading that was ok!! Oh Well another moan.