Fibromyalgia and BP of 200+ on auto cuff

Posted by vwiltsee @vwiltsee, 4 days ago

I am on BP meds but whenever I have my BP taken in the hospital with an automatic cuff, it keeps repumping until my BP is over 200. It feels as if they are breaking my arm. Then they tell me to relax! I have read that if I can learn mind control I can overcome Fibro's affected pain response. Anyone ever followed that theory successfully?
Vonnie

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1kay2 | @1kay2 | 3 days ago

I don't know what you mean by mind control, I try to accept a certain amount of pain and just keep going.

Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | 3 days ago

@vwiltsee Boy, do I know what you mean by those automative BP cuffs. In my nursing days we used them, partly because the ambient noise was loud. If a patient asked us not to use them, we didn’t. Last week, in my doctor’s office, one was used on me and it pumped up to 200+ even though I told them that my BP systolic was usually around 105. I always comment, though, that the machine was terrible. Since I don’t often have my BP taken, I just let it slide. Now, if my blood pressure had to be taken every 10-20 minutes, I would certainly ask for a different one. You could always do breath exercises, just don’t overwhelm yourself with new things. You have a right to ask for a different BP cuff. I hope you can do that next time! Leave me a message in this discussion if your request worked!

vwiltsee | @vwiltsee | 3 days ago

Thanks for your reply, Becky. I have high blood pressure so I'm doing lots of things to control it. Going on the
DASH Diet, getting full workup from GP for possible anti-depressant med, and getting started on some core exercise PT, also some strengthening exercises aimed at my legs, arms and balance. I have fibromyalgia and I just read Mayo's book "Fibromyalgia", and it was amazing!!! I'm 82 years old and married for 47 years. Along with Asthma and COPD (haven't smoked in 30 years), I've become almost a recluse. Gotta stop! Thanks again for your kind response. Have a good day and God bless you.
Vonnie