The same thing happens to me. My blood pressure is high when I go to the doctor simply because of the anxiety buildup. I have not found a good solution for this yet, but you are definitely not alone.

I have the same thing. I actually went to the ER for my panic attacks.. and the dr there said I must have white coat syndrome as well.. first time I ever heard of it. When I was pregnant with both of my kids every month when I went in for a checkup my blood pressure was always 180/120..they'd freak out and make me lay down.. most of the time trying to call an ambulance. I explainedon't my WCS and after a couple times they just had me come in and lay down for 15 min before they checked my bp.. gave me a chance to cool down and relax.

I didn't have this issue until I had surgery. The people were SUPER nice, really kind and helpful but I felt traumatized by it on some level. So now, even when I go to acupuncture my BP goes WAY up. They put me on meds and now it's TOO low sometimes. I see her again next week and I'm telling her I'm not upping my meds.

Thank you all so much. But what I really want to know is if doctors and nurses actually suffer White Coat Syndrome themselves when THEY go to a doctor or emergency room for themselves.

Hi there LittleM - fancy seeing you lol.
Yes I have it and have for ever and ever. I sit in the surgery waiting room going redder and redder and by the time I go in and sit down I resemble a tomato and I always say - my bp will be waaaay up and it always is. My doc says what is it that makes you nervous of me - and I say it's not you yourself it's just the DOCTORS. I have a home monitor and am ok at home.
On docs getting WCS themselves, we have one eminent doc over here who is on TV and writes a column in a mag and he has just written a piece on Gastritis. He said that when he gets stressed he gets acid reflux - well who would have thought - he looks soo in control - made me feel a whole lot better with my nerves and anxiety I can tell you.
G.

GwenY I am not surprised to see you in this group. I've often said that all my autoimmune diseases carry anxiety as a symptom. I truly believe that.

I am sorry that you have all these problems too. But it's good to know we can share with one another.

I'm not afraid of the doctors either. In fact I consider some of them as friends. But I just can't help getting nervous every time I have a visit. My anxiety has gotten worse and worse over the years. Now everything makes me feel stressed. Even having my own kids over. And I love them dearly. But if I have to socialize and concentrate on a conversation too long.... the panic sets in and I get dizzy and my eyes hurt and I'm exhausted and then of course, the stomach starts to act up.

It's good to know that doctors and nurses get this WCS like the rest of us.

Mine usually goes up waiting to see the cardiologist, then goes down when I am in the office with the doctor. Hate waiting, it stresses me out.