Comments on: A Useful Bedside Test

By: BC

BC — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:05:01 +0000

Random panic and L.G.–

I have the same thing happen to me in the situations you listed. It is such a ridiculous “phobia”, or whatever it is. Please send me any good feedback you receive. I am trying a few things to overcome this. It is not working.

Thanks,

-BC

By: random panic

random panic — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:11:28 +0000

I came across this site when I was trying to find out if my “problem” was an actual “phobia” or not. I do not have a decidedly low pain tolerance, in fact, I find nothing about BP cuffs or the like “painful” whatsoever. Being fairly young, I’ve had limited personal experience in hospitals (thankfully). The only thing I have to go on is the fact that, when anything cuts off my circulation in any way, I can only stand it for a brief moment before I start hyperventilating. Over time I’ve been able to “control” it a bit, but if it goes on for longer than just a few moments, I tend to have a panic attack. This is the only thing in my life that’s ever caused this, and it’s particularly odd because in general I’m a fairly laid back person. I can’t handle something as simple as a rubberband just on my wrist… I even can’t wear my wedding ring if it’s hot enough outside for me to feel like my finger may swell up. It’s ridiculous and I feel like the only person on the planet like this. Outside of having to go into therapy for the rest of my life, can anyone tell me what this affliction is, and how I can finally be rid of it? I would appreciate ANY response, as long as you’re not just telling me I’m “overexaggerating” like so many others have throughout my entire life. Thanks!

By: JenEDNurse

JenEDNurse — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:37:16 +0000

I think it’s hilarious, and yes I work in an ED. If people are more worried about their blood pressure cuff, friends, food, cell phones, text messaging, something to drink, etc. Then it really doesn’t hurt that bad

By: ERRN

ERRN — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 07:09:48 +0000

Really?????
Umm Now let’s put the “unbearable pain” of the blood pressure cuff in relation to the 25/10 pain rating that you just gave for your headache,bellypain,ankle pain………
All while talking on your cell phone, eating cheetos, and sipping a soda.
This while your 3 friends who came in with you advise me what a HIGH pain tolerance you have……
The comments above are as funny as the original article. It is obvious how many have actually WORKED in an ER.

By: mmutk

mmutk — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:27:28 +0000

I would have to agree that if the most of your worries is the BP cuff that is going “so high” you will immediately be laughed out of the ER or office.

By: ATXRN

ATXRN — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:35:15 +0000

LOL! I love it! One of my fave 10/10 posts!

By: PsychGradStudent

PsychGradStudent — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 03:17:06 +0000

What LG should seek out is something called systematic desensitization. Its used for most phobias, and I am sure can be adapted for a phobia of BP cuffs. I know about this because I am a clinical psychology graduate student. Basically, you would be exposed to wearing a bp cuff inflated to gradual degrees, and during this exposure your anxiety would go down over time, and you would come to associate less anxiety with the bp cuff. This is fairly inexpensive and very effective. I would reccomend looking into it.

By: Nate

Nate — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 05:44:16 +0000

Being a man of science myself, I would recommend caution when attempting to diagnose LPT with just a single measure such as the “blood pressure test”. How much peer-reviewed research has been done into this apparent correlation? Can you give me a numerical confidence interval for the specificity of this measure? Has observer bias been factored out? Have all other possible variables been eliminated? Where are the randomized, double-blind trials?

(Note to L.G. — You might want to find a psychologist who specializes in something called “cognitive behavioral therapy”. There is sound research to support its effectiveness for many anxiety disorders.)

By: L. G.

L. G. — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:57:10 +0000

The BP cuff doesn’t hurt me, persay, just makes me slightly light headed and queasy. I too have an irrational fear of anything that cuts my circulation off. The thing I’m most afraid of is a tourniquet. I’ve passed out several times while being prepped to have my blood drawn.
This fear is so annoying. I’ve tried to get over it, but I can’t, I don’t know how. I know the doctors and nurses laugh at and scrutinize me, and I accept that, but it doesn’t change my phobia. This fear really angers me because I’d like to have normal visits to my doctor without being frightened that she’s going to take my blood. I’ve actually avoided going to the doctor because I knew it was inevitable.

Does anyone know how I can get over this fear? I’d really like to be cured of this. I don’t want to be a ninny anymore. I’d like to start having children, but I keep putting it off cause I know they’ll be drawing my blood on a regular basis.

Please help.

By: L. G.

L. G. — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:53:43 +0000

The BP cuff doesn’t hurt me, persay, just makes me slightly light headed and queasy. I too have an irrational fear of anything that cuts my circulation off. The thing I’m most afraid of is a tourniquet.
This fear is so annoying. I’ve tried to get over it, but I can’t. I know the doctors and nurses laugh at and scrutinize me, and I accept that, but it doesn’t change my phobia. It really angers me because I’d like to have normal visits to my doctor without being frightened that she’s going to take my blood. I’ve actually avoided going to the doctor because I knew it was inevitable.
Does anyone know how I can get over this fear? I’d really like to be cured of this. I don’t want to be a ninny anymore.