So I went to rheumatology.

dreamdaisy

It was a routine appointment, no more no less, but it did have its lighter side.

Before I saw the clinic nurse I was taken in to have my BP done and my weight measured. The plastic-covered pillow appeared, was wiped over, placed under my left arm, the cuff was wiped and attached to the upper left arm and the button pressed. Cue the tightening, releasing, further tightening, more releasing, and no reading. So we switched to the other arm. Cue the same again. Now I have two sore arms and two very throbby CT scars.

'I'll try another machine,' she said.

We went through the same palaver, this time the cuff tightening even further and my hands turning purple. Still no reading. As my right arm was being strapped in I questioned why the old-fashioned doctor-powered sphyg-thingy was no longer used. The reply?

'This is more efficient, we get through more patients using these,' she said as the FOURTH test began. By this time I was laughing so hard at the notion of efficiency meaning doing the same thing four times that, when we did achieve a reading it was immediately discounted (it was 200 over 180).

Ye gods. :roll: My pain, however, had only just begun. The nurse decided to do the joints count, lots lof lovely squeezing resulting in 13 painful but none inflamed. I am still gently twanging now. I am to have an ultra-sound done on my lumpy left ankle and maybe some physio.

My hips are hurting thanks to the inflamed sacro-iliacs so that will now be a constant companion until I get the knees sorted. Ah yes, the knees. I have at least another 1.5 stones to go and I know what that is going to entail. No matter, it's not deprivation it's necessary, I know that losing the weight is not going to affect the pain levels but if I do get knew knees then that might. Knowing my luck by the time I do qualify they will have upped the age limit again 'cos we're all living longer but as I'm probably going to die ten years earlier than my alloted span will it be worth having them done? As Airwave would say, it's a grin honest! 8) DD

stickywicket

Flipping 'eck, DD, it's no wonder the NHS is running out of money when people like you routinely break several BP monitors per visit

I think it's a fact that the electronic ones aren't as accurate as the old hand-pump and stethoscope jobs. I do hope you're feeling OK though. I know the key factor is the difference between the readings but I think that presumes you are still breathing for both.

Please twang from the comfort of the armchair this afternoon.

wall1409

I'm glad I want in the queue after you, lol

Wendy xx

hileena111

Oh DD
What a carry-on
The old sphygmomanometers {what a mouthful} were more accurate
Thats the type I used to use. I felt sorry for the poor patients when I was training....I'm sure I did it too tight :oops:
Are you surviving after all that??
Twang quietly please

Love
Hileena

ShulaArcher

Hi

Crikey! That was an appointment and a half.

Keep smiling
Shula

valval

well was begining to think you were the living dead with no blood pressure mine always up when got to docs as get worked up but at hospital has been spot on that i do not understand at all as i am more worked up than anything then why do the tend to press sore places just so they can tell us they sore we know we live with them hey chemo kicks it into touch but bit ott way to get the meds lol good luck have knees done for sure got to be good and you will get weight down it will come off much easyer in summer and it just around the corner honest val

LignumVitae

After all that I hope there is no stair climbing to be done today and lots of rest instead. LV xx

nearlybionic

Hi DD
That sounds like an eventful appointment! You never like to do things by halves!
Glad they found your BP eventually. I hope your scan date comes round soon.
I am with you on the losing weight thing. Hmmpphh. I have lost over 2 stones since October and hope to get some recognition of thus when I see the Consultant on Thursday! I still have a bit more to go, but it is going to have to diet based as exercise is a no no. We can try to drop the 1 and a half together if you want. Boring, smaller portions, no (well little) alcohol, and limiting bread which for me has to have cheese with it :roll: .........yum, cheese......ahem sorry got carried away there!
Take care
NB

villier

Oh god DD what a blinking palaver it could only happen to you, you don't do things by halves do you?, hope you have been sitting with the feet up since you came home and the twanging is at least giving out a decent tune hope OH pampers you well tonight...............Marie xx

barbara12

DD hope you are now taking things easy, these appointment take it out of us...especially the ones you have.....talk about not doing things by halves...you take care....xx

mig

There's a new young nurse at my gps she prefers the old way says the new ones are rubbish. Mig

dreamdaisy

I went back to work today, just the one lesson but ye gods that was enough on top of this morning's 'adventures'. I have another tomorrow and believe me, I can wait.

The hurty joints were in my fingers, my right wrist, both elbows and my shoulders but I'm not really surprised about that because I haven't been able to use my usual walking aids; I've had to revert to the pine walking sticks and they ain't cutting the mustard. I did use my ice-gripped crutches today and don't I know it. :roll: I've also added weight thanks to the combined 'efforts' of immobility and Christmas. I care not. It will be shifted. End of.

Now I have to go and cook, does the fun ever end? No. Dammit. DD

stickywicket

Take things easy, on the hands front, tomorrow. Remember today and that you have a lesson later. Getting back into the old routine is not easy after a double op and a long lay off. Try to sidle in gently so that your joints don't notice

Numptydumpty

Oh DD, is nothing ever straightforward
I hope you have the chance to rest this evening, and stuff stops twanging.
All the best,
Numpty

shandy4greenday

I have my first hospital appointment in the morning after reading this it's enough to make e run a mile now Well I hope I have better luck than you tomorrow

Nasic

DD, destroyer of BP machines!

dreamdaisy

Hmmmm, a new name for yours truly. DD = Dark Destroyer. I like. 8)

Life is feeling deeply unpleasant today. I'm wandering about (or rather tottering, lurching and staggering) quietly singing D-ream's glorious song: Things . . . . can only get worser . . . . can only get worser . . . . 'cos that's my life (repeat ad nauseam). He's working at hime AGAIN - 200 stairs already this morning thanks to his telephonic umbilical cord. :x Thank gawd he's going out this afternoon.

I have some ironing to do, I'm sitting here waiting for the co-cos to dull me to some extent so that is feasible. Onwards and sideways!

valval

dd who was just telling to to take it easy on the other side and you talking about ironing what are you like by way morf much better than co cods lol must start getting off it lol but need pain to **** off first val

bubbadog

I think DD means (Dangerous Destroyer!) How many BP machines did you break in the end? I wonder if it's a record? When they can't get a reading of my BP at the hospital I just say 'didn't you I'm a vampire?' it does break the ice and we have a laugh! I do know most of the nurses at the orthopedic centre at the Alex hospital now!!
You take it easy today if your creaking and hurting! And (in my police voice!) ' put down the iron and move away from it' Give yourself a rest and let yourself recover from poking and prodding!

kathe

Off , all they put you true. Hope you get some rest and feel better soon.
Thinking of you.
Kathe :-)

constable

DD, after what you've been through. I do hope you are still resting up (hopefully still in bed at this time) and try not to do the ironing etc.

I got a good telling off yesterday from hubby. Trying to do to much and he sent me to bed.

I do hope you will feel a bit better today, at least it's friday. yey.