I have gone ahead and ordered this "machine" if you will that is supposed to help with your breathing to lower your blood pressure. My attempts to meditate myself have been unsucessful. Has anyone used this product before? My doctor hasn't heard of it but thought it couldn't hurt to try. The website, [removed] makes it sound pretty good. I bet I could achieve the same results for free if I could just meditate but I can't seem to get it. Just wondering if anyone has used before.

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[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 07-18-2003).]

I have researched the Resperate device before but have not yet purchased it. Please keep us posted on how it works for you. I would love to hear from someone who's tried it. Meditation does work somewhat for me, so I'm trying to go the cheap route first.

Just wondering how the Resperate is working for you?

Well - this is kind of embarassing to admit, but I also have underlying panic disorder (which I guess doesn't help with my hypertension). Anyway, I used it for about a week and felt pretty good - but noticed I was getting more frequent and severe panic attacks. I thought maybe it was linked to the difference in my breathing from the Resperate. You would have thought it would have done the opposite - but I am kind of strange like that. So I guess maybe it was going to work but I quit due to my anxiety. Now that I am adjusting to my new hypertension meds I will try to start again. I will definitely let everyone know. I am currently trying to stuff myself with 4 celery stalks a day since I have read that can lower your blood pressure as well. I will try anything to avoid having to add a 3rd blood pressure med to my regimen.

You ever consider that maybe the panic is the cause of your high b/p? Are you on anti-anxiety meds? If not, it might be a good option. It worked for me.

I am interested in this discussion. I have anxiety/panic disorder and normally have normal bp but at the dr office it goes high systolically. Anyway, the Dr is now suggesting that I need bp meds because of it but I told him I will keep a log at home and then see if I need them. He commented that maybe its high alot because of my anxiety but frankly i am not anxious all the time and only extremely anxious occasionally, esp at his office. I was thinking of getting the Resperate to help me practice breathing slowly etc. I am addressing the anxiety in natural ways. My weight is good and diet is excellent and under normal circumstances I am not a candidate for hbp but this darn anxiety is the culprit. I am wondering if anyone tried Biofeedback for their anxiety/bp? I also have a phobia about taking the bp at home but trying to overcome it, bp is high at first but after a couple of attempts it is normal (normal for me is around 130/75). Thanks for any help.

Some docs refuse to admit that there is something called white coat syndrome. Mine does the same thing. Good averages & than I go the docs office & I feel my heart racing just being there, because I know that he will discount what I am telling him about the other 50 or so measurements that I have received over the last 3-4 months that have all been excellent. Struggling to go back in 3 weeks.

anneh,

I did biofeedback and found it to be helpful. The therapist taught me basically what the resperate device will help you to do (slow breathing), but also some exercises which help each area of the body (ie. arms, legs, torso, neck,etc) to relax. If there is an underlying medical reason like kidney problems, I don't think biofeedback would help with the BP. I also learned that it's OK to just sit and do nothing but relax (that's a hard one for me because I can always find something that needs to be done).

I have gone down the whole SSRI route but discontinued due to the terrible side effects. My blood pressure is definitely lower while I am on SSRI's. I might have to grit my teeth and go back on them. My doc is pretty hesitant to let me go with just a benzo. I don't take my blood pressure at home so it is possible, actually probable, that is goes up in the doctor's office. I am a pretty uptight person about my health and going to the doctor makes it worse. What a dilemma!

I could take 10 bp meds & 50 xanax & I still have anxiety about going to the doc....

I've used relaxation tapes. They do a kind of guided visualization to relax specific body parts which ultimately achieves a totally relaxed body. Also works on breathing in that you focus on the breathe, slowing your inhalations and exhalations. I find them very calming and centering but then I also do yoga.

Did you try your Resperate machine again? Please let me know if it is helping, I am thinking of ordering one. I have panic disorder too http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif
Originally posted by thouserindallas:
Well - this is kind of embarassing to admit, but I also have underlying panic disorder (which I guess doesn't help with my hypertension). Anyway, I used it for about a week and felt pretty good - but noticed I was getting more frequent and severe panic attacks. I thought maybe it was linked to the difference in my breathing from the Resperate. You would have thought it would have done the opposite - but I am kind of strange like that. So I guess maybe it was going to work but I quit due to my anxiety. Now that I am adjusting to my new hypertension meds I will try to start again. I will definitely let everyone know. I am currently trying to stuff myself with 4 celery stalks a day since I have read that can lower your blood pressure as well. I will try anything to avoid having to add a 3rd blood pressure med to my regimen.

I haven't tried it again! I keep planning too but just haven't gotten around to it. I really need to since it was pretty expensive. I am grappling with starting my Zoloft again so I might start that first and then try Resperate again. I will definitely let everyone know.

THANK YOU! It is nice to talk with others who panic at the doctors office! My heart races at the doctors. One dr(gp).wouldnt help me with the anxiety, so I left him. He also made me feel that I was about to keel over and die(jerk!) Went to a new Dr.(gp) He told me to take my blood pressure everyday and come back in a couple of weeks and see if our machines are in sinq. My husband ssaid "no way"! He knows the obssesive side of me. I too panic when I take my bp at home, walmart, target etc. I am thinking of seeing an internist instead of a gp. Blueisland, why dont you find another dr? Maybe they are all jerks. I was thinking of taking a xanax next time I go. Did the xanax help your bp and anxiety? Have dr. lost touch with their patients emotions? I feel like they don't care! My obgyn understands. He is the only doctor that doesnt stress about "white coat" I leave his office encouraged. I wish he could treat me for everything.

$300! ouch! We are on a budget and that doesnt fit onto it. I'll try on my own.

thouse, tried the resperate machine yet?

I could take Xanax, B/P meds & anything else & it will always be high at the doc.

Average at the doc- 170/100
Average away- 124/74

Okay - I started the Resperate again. I just have to get into a routine because you are supposed to do it fairly regularly to see results. I will let everyone know. I am one of those strange ones that tries not to check my blood pressure away from my doctor. Probably a mistake - it might be lower. I tend to obsess about it. Anyway, I go into see my doctor on October 8th to see how I am doing on my Benicar, etc. Hopefully, it will be lower.

We'll be waiting for the results. Hang in there. If you do well, the rest of us might fork out $300 too