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Does anyone experience severe pain from blood pressure cuff causes a spike in the reading

A MyFibroTeam Member asked a question 💭
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I am becoming phobic about blood pressure readings. The cuff apparently causes a surge in Adrenalin from pain detection by our hyper vigilant nervous system. I have had readings of 220 / 120 routinely. Before Fibromyalgia my BP was always extremely low. It becomes extremely painful very quickly as the health carer keeps pumping up the pressure to get the last beat. This is a vicious cycle of increasing pain causing more Adrenaline which keeps increasing the blood pressure readings. Are there… read more

October 2, 2019
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Answer Summary

Members strongly validated the original poster's experience of severe pain from blood pressure cuffs, with many describing how the discomfort... Read more

Members strongly validated the original poster's experience of severe pain from blood pressure cuffs, with many describing how the discomfort triggers anxiety, spikes their readings, and sometimes leads to tears or panic attacks during medical appointments. Several members recommended switching to a wrist blood pressure monitor as a less painful alternative, with some already using one at home and finding it more comfortable and accurate than traditional arm cuffs or automatic machines. A recurring theme was the importance of self-advocacy, asking medical providers to use manual cuffs when possible, and practicing calming techniques like deep breathing or meditation to manage white coat hypertension and the cycle of pain-induced adrenaline.

A MyFibroTeam Member

I have a wrist cuff blood pressure unit. You can get one from amazon.com or amazon.ca They wrap around your wrist and give an accurate bp reading - and it doesn't hurt like the arm cuff.

October 2, 2019
A MyFibroTeam Member

Yes, it hurts really bad, I had an appointment with my doctor last Thursday and my blood pressure was 142/100, and this was unusual for me but that cup pumping up gave me arm pain 😫,he repeated it again later and it read the same, but it was painful as well plus I wasn't feeling well because I had been having allergies with sinus and ear pain, fibromyalgia pain and my back has been HURTING and I wasn't surprised that my blood pressure was high but he wanted to add another blood pressure medication to help control my blood pressure, I really don't think I needed another pill after waiting so long for him to get around to me, I was truly tired of waiting for him and all ready didn't feel well so no surprise my blood pressure was high, I think it was the cuff pain that helped raise my blood pressure, I'm with you on this. Josephine.

July 29, 2020
A MyFibroTeam Member

Shout out to Pat Mestern. Have ordered a wrist blood pressure cuff from Amazon as suggested. Fingers crossed...

October 3, 2019
A MyFibroTeam Member

@A MyFibroTeam Member Just read your post. It is so painful to have my blood pressure
taken. I have an appointment tomorrow with my doctor and I'm going to ask if they can do it without the automatic machine...you are correct those machines are the worst! Take care, Linda

October 2, 2019
A MyFibroTeam Member

Thank you so much for this information. So helpful. Fibro folks the best.

October 2, 2019

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