Can a Simple Blood Pressure Test Diagnose Fibromyalgia?
Thursday December 28, 2006
When you go to the doctor, do you cringe when the nurse pulls out the cuff to take your blood pressure -- because you know it’s going to be painful? I know I do – and I always feel like a wimp because I can’t even tolerate a simple blood pressure test. One nurse actually called me a wimp, but another more kind-hearted nurse taught me to ask for the large cuff, which does significantly reduce the degree of pain I experience.
Apparently, I’m not alone. In a recent study, 69 percent of fibromyalgia patients experienced pain from blood pressure testing. The study entitled, “Sphygmomanometry-Evoked Allodynia – A Simple Bedside Test Indicative of Fibromyalgia: A Multicenter Developmental Study,” was published in the December 2006 issue of the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology. Read more about this study.
Comments
I thought I was the only one who had this problem!!!! I’ve complained for years because of the pain; many times my arm has bruised after having BP taken.
Another good article, Karen!
Finally an explanation. I also bruise.
B
I grit my teeth an figure they think im a wuss. It is painful along with many other things that dont bother healthy people.