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Fear of Having BP Taken
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Hi all new here. For the past five years or so, every time I go to any doctor, even the eye doctor or allergist, my BP spikes. The doctors told me to buy a blood pressure monitor and take it several times a day for two weeks. Well, 5 yrs. ago, it worked fine, and my BP readings would always be around the high normal range. Lately, I have developed a phobia and every time my BP is taken, even at home, it is sky high. I take Benicar, 40 mg. every day,, work out and eat right. I have absolutely no symptoms and feel great, but I must add I do have an anxiety and panic attack disorder, so when I feel stressed, my BP also goes up.
My question is, if I have such a fear of taking my BP, how am I ever going to get a normal reading? Is it possible that my med needs to be increased? Is it also possible to get a normal reading when the med is at the proper dose even if you are highly nervous? It's getting to the point where I don't even want to go see any of my doctors. I always tell them I suffer from "white coat syndrome" and now I can add "BP monitor disorder"....lol! Thanks for any advice. Posted on 04/20/12, 03:53 pm |
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Have to go for phase 2 of my root canal surgery on Monday and am scared out of my wits............not the dental work, but having my BP taken! Last time I went, the dentist almost didn't go through with the procedure because my BP was so high.
I am dreading this again.....is this always going to be the case every damned time I have a doctor's appointment? 
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How often do you take your BP ? I take mine four times daily. So for me it's no different than brushing my teeth or combing my hair. Just part of the daily routine. I log all my readings at
http://www.bpchronicle.com/blood-pr... The app figures my daily (averages) and puts them on a chart. I go by what my averages are rather than worry about individual readings. Good luck
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My whole problem is the fact that I can no longer take my readings at home either! Every time I even look at my home monitor, I feel the anxiety setting in.
That is why I have started this topic, because I don't even know if I have HBP because I'm always stressed about having it taken.
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Ltb...I'm wondering if taking your blood pressure more often at home would desensitize you? It would become such a part of your day that you wouldn't think anything of it. exposure therapy in a sense.
Not sure if it would work but just an idea. I've been taking mine about three times a day and I've noticed the longer I've been doing this the less I freak out about it.
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I agree with sleepyby8, Start taking it more often and you may find it becomes not a big deal. Remember damage from high blood pressure happens over time, so a high reading now and again is not cause for alarm. I took my pressure this morning Right arm was 151/71 eek. Left arm was 119/71 this averages out to about 135/71 a little high but not the end of the world. especially since I know what caused it, I ate like crap on Sunday afternoon. Since I took my pressure and logged it I know what to do (stop eating crap). What did I eat ? store bought meatballs and Alfredo sauce. So damage done I must try to do better.
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Appreciate the suggestions, tell my nerves that! It might work over time, but how do I stop the anxiety the minute I step into any doctor's office? I cannot believe a dentist takes BP! Told him to go ahead and start the root canal 2 wks. ago, but he insisted he take it again, he wasn't going to do the procedure.
Have to go back this afternoon for the rest of it, and am shaking just typing this, hardly slept all night. Even Xanax doesn't help the BP go down!
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I used to be like you, obsessed, get anxiety, and stress about blood pressure readings. I take losartan 2 a day. Take your blood pressure in the evening, it is usually at it's lowest. Eat/drink alot of potassium, that brings it down. By reading your posts, you are creating a high reading by stressing out. By the way, you never mentioned your bp reading, do you recall the number?
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Ski high at any doctor or clinic appt.....can be as high as 195/97.....before I developed this phobia, I would take it home and it would be around140/80, still a bit high but I'd take that anyday. When I visit my sis in Fla, she's a nurse and she uses the old fashioned one that she pumps up (not these stupid arm wrist thingies the nurses use in the doctor's office) andi it would be around 120/80. Lowest it's ever been was 117/70, as long as it wasn't taken in a medical setting.
My psch doctor, who treats me for major panic disorder, says that my high anxiety can definitely make my pressure go up, funny tho, I feel fine, no headaches, blurred vision, dizziness............hah, maybe that's why it's called the silent killer?!
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Good news! Popped a few Xanax b4 the dental appt.and BP reading wasn't that bad! Actually dozed off and snored in the dentist chair, the dentist was laughing! Never have I ever been that relaxed in that kind of setting. Maybe I need 2 make sure I take Xanax b4 any dr. appt. so that by the time I arrive there, I will be relaxed and not so stressed over having my BP taken!
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