*charliesangel*
05-10-2003, 10:20 AM
Im only 19 but at the doc they discovered I had high blood pressure.The first time it was 150/80 and the second visit it was 165 over something, cant remember tho.Because I get so paniky and my heart races they think I could have white coat hypertension so I have to have a 24 hour blood pressure monitor,even the idea of this is making me panic!!!!!! how does it work??surely if its worn like a cuff you will wake up everytime its taken at night!Im worried becuase i dont want to end up panicking over even that or ill never get a proper reading.
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longell
05-12-2003, 02:50 PM
Hi,
I have the same worries you do.
I also get white coat syndrome and my doctor recommended a 24 hr. BP monitor.
I know it takes BP readings every hour, and I feel as you do that I'll be so aware of this, my BP will go sky high as though I'm at the doctors.
I have to have a couple of regular readings, and then I'll have the monitor put on.
My BP has been doing that for years.I do take meds for this, and it's low at home but it just soars with anxiety!
Let me know how you do and I'll let you know when I have mine on!
Good luck!
Longell
I have the same worries you do.
I also get white coat syndrome and my doctor recommended a 24 hr. BP monitor.
I know it takes BP readings every hour, and I feel as you do that I'll be so aware of this, my BP will go sky high as though I'm at the doctors.
I have to have a couple of regular readings, and then I'll have the monitor put on.
My BP has been doing that for years.I do take meds for this, and it's low at home but it just soars with anxiety!
Let me know how you do and I'll let you know when I have mine on!
Good luck!
Longell
hpbguyfromca
05-15-2003, 11:33 PM
same thing.. whitecoat all the way..
I have taken my BP monitor in with me to make sure my home readings were not "artificially" low.. and the reading it was giving were OK.
I can maintain a whitecoat of 100bpm and BP of 150/90 just because i am a nervous wreck.. i can't explain it OR calm myself untill i leave and take my BP at home..
where it comes up as 130/80.. and lower..
weird..
but true..
F.
I have taken my BP monitor in with me to make sure my home readings were not "artificially" low.. and the reading it was giving were OK.
I can maintain a whitecoat of 100bpm and BP of 150/90 just because i am a nervous wreck.. i can't explain it OR calm myself untill i leave and take my BP at home..
where it comes up as 130/80.. and lower..
weird..
but true..
F.
wass24
05-24-2003, 04:54 PM
I also was asked by the doc to take the 24hr monitor and I have put it off for a month as I know that I will feel the cuff inflating and I will get nervous. At the doctors my readings have been as high as 158/80. I have gotten into the habit of taking my blood pressure at the pharmacy once or twice a week. I will take it and the first time it shows low 140's/75. I sit for two minutes and take it again and it is usually low 130's/60's. The low 130's is still a bit high but I don't think they require meds. My fear is the doc will see my 24hr results and want to place me on meds.
Any one else with this issue or any ideas on my readings. Thanks
Any one else with this issue or any ideas on my readings. Thanks
simtusie
05-24-2003, 07:06 PM
Hey, the 24 hour thing isn't too bad. My doc gave me this harness thing to wear for 24 hours and it took my bp every 15 min in the day and I think it was once an hour at night. It was LOUD, and I did feel it, but it really wasn't that bad. it was only 24 hours, not a week. that's what I kept telling myself. :) I have been on meds for over 10 years, and as long as you find the meds that work best and have the least side effects, it's not too bad. I take 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide and 25 mg of atenolol. doing great now with the bp. woohoo!!
don't stress yourself out about 24 hour monitoring! stress raises your bp. just try to relax and enjoy freaking people out when it goes on in public. that's what I did, and it was fun to see the looks on their faces. (oh I am so mean! hee hee)
take care- simtusie
don't stress yourself out about 24 hour monitoring! stress raises your bp. just try to relax and enjoy freaking people out when it goes on in public. that's what I did, and it was fun to see the looks on their faces. (oh I am so mean! hee hee)
take care- simtusie
wass24
06-16-2003, 11:49 PM
just had the 24hr monitor done on wed to thursday of last week. It is not as bad as I thought but sleeping was a bit difficult. I got maybe two hours of sleep over all as the damn thing beeps before going and the cord wraps around everything that it should not.
as for the results I was very happy. came back with a 24 hr average of 127 over 74. Doc says I am fine. Good luck on anyone else who needs to do the 24 hr.
as for the results I was very happy. came back with a 24 hr average of 127 over 74. Doc says I am fine. Good luck on anyone else who needs to do the 24 hr.
BlueIsland
06-26-2003, 04:45 PM
Your heart has a very very slim chance to have anything to do with high blood pressure. For 90% of the population the cause is unknown, or based upon lifestyle. Kidney problems is #2 on the list.
anneh
07-17-2003, 11:40 PM
Did you get yours done? I have the same problem - I am sure to panic while wearing it and it will look bad. Frankly if you are getting such good results at home I don't see why you need to wear it OR worry about having to take medications. I am going to overcome my phobia about taking mine at home and start doing it regularly. When I first take it its high (systolic) but then it comes down. I have absolute terror about it being taken at Dr office because of a bad experience and now I almost pass out with fright. I have anxiety/panic disorder but most of the time I am perfectly alright, occasional extreme anxiety. But for sure I get a gigantic anxiety attack knowing I have to have it taken at Dr office. My bp at home after initial high response is around 130/75, same as I have had for years (I am in my 60's). Originally posted by wass24:
I also was asked by the doc to take the 24hr monitor and I have put it off for a month as I know that I will feel the cuff inflating and I will get nervous. At the doctors my readings have been as high as 158/80. I have gotten into the habit of taking my blood pressure at the pharmacy once or twice a week. I will take it and the first time it shows low 140's/75. I sit for two minutes and take it again and it is usually low 130's/60's. The low 130's is still a bit high but I don't think they require meds. My fear is the doc will see my 24hr results and want to place me on meds.
Any one else with this issue or any ideas on my readings. Thanks
I also was asked by the doc to take the 24hr monitor and I have put it off for a month as I know that I will feel the cuff inflating and I will get nervous. At the doctors my readings have been as high as 158/80. I have gotten into the habit of taking my blood pressure at the pharmacy once or twice a week. I will take it and the first time it shows low 140's/75. I sit for two minutes and take it again and it is usually low 130's/60's. The low 130's is still a bit high but I don't think they require meds. My fear is the doc will see my 24hr results and want to place me on meds.
Any one else with this issue or any ideas on my readings. Thanks
BlueIsland
07-18-2003, 10:29 AM
Exactly, I showed the hypertension specialist my last 50 readings over 4 months that were all like 121/71 124/74 & etc. & he still wants me to wear the monitor. Do these docs. not trust or what? It's call CYA.
howie
08-04-2003, 01:38 AM
I too have the same problem, my B/P soars everytime I have my B/p checked in the hospital. But whenever I take it at home, its always seems to be normal. This frightful experience has kept me from joining the military. I passed everything else in the physical, except for that damn B/p tests. The 24hr monitor seems alright with me. Having your B/p monitored at home will give you a greater sense of calmness. Im going to ask my doctor about that. thanks and goodluck
Gingerale123
09-03-2003, 11:26 AM
HI!
I'm new to the board here and I've got high blood pressure when I go to the doctor, but it's fairly "normal" at home.
It runs anywhere from 110/78 to 148/90 . It's up and down really.
When I go to the MD it runs sky high. They've done all the kidney tests and things like that to see if that's what is wrong, but they always come back normal.
Now, I'm pregnant and they are concerned about it running up so high when I'm there and they are wanting to do a 24 hour blood pressure monitor on me.
They said something about it going over the phone or something.
Anyway, I was wondering if any of you had this done??
I just know I'll be nervous.
My OB doctor is threatening to put me on medicine and he's already given me a prescription to fill in case it's up with this thing.
It really bugs me that it does that when I go there, but I can't seem to make it do any different.
THanks for letting me vent.
Ginger
I'm new to the board here and I've got high blood pressure when I go to the doctor, but it's fairly "normal" at home.
It runs anywhere from 110/78 to 148/90 . It's up and down really.
When I go to the MD it runs sky high. They've done all the kidney tests and things like that to see if that's what is wrong, but they always come back normal.
Now, I'm pregnant and they are concerned about it running up so high when I'm there and they are wanting to do a 24 hour blood pressure monitor on me.
They said something about it going over the phone or something.
Anyway, I was wondering if any of you had this done??
I just know I'll be nervous.
My OB doctor is threatening to put me on medicine and he's already given me a prescription to fill in case it's up with this thing.
It really bugs me that it does that when I go there, but I can't seem to make it do any different.
THanks for letting me vent.
Ginger
sportmom
09-03-2003, 02:50 PM
My 16 year old just wore a 24 hour monitor last month. It didn't wake him up at night at all. In fact, the tubing must have kinked a lot of times, because it only recorded about 6 readings all night - it was set to record every 20 minutes. It tries twice, but if it can't get a reading after 2 tries, it waits 20 minutes. He hated it while awake! He was going golfing and I made him wear it. (He took it off for every shot and then put it back on.) That's good - I wanted to see what his BP is on the stress of the golf course where he spends most of his life! His readings showed a borderline high 24 average, indicating he's still not on enough medicine the doctor says -but that's another story. Anyway, don't sweat the monitor - it was quiet and easy.
pslam 91
09-03-2003, 02:58 PM
I can't imagine having to wear that thing! I too panic at the drs. Mine was 148/90 h/r 100 in July. This whole experience has been nothing but negitive in my life. I am so freaked out I can't even take it at Walmart. My OBGYN is wonderful. He always tells me not to worry about it. I feel like not seeing the doctors and just enjoy life!
Gingerale123
09-04-2003, 06:16 PM
Hi all!
I just found out my doctor only wants it checked every 2-3 hours while awake :)
That was too sweet of him, I'm sure I'll end up on the medicine though.
It's always too high in the office.
Thanks for all your replies.
Love,
Ginger
I just found out my doctor only wants it checked every 2-3 hours while awake :)
That was too sweet of him, I'm sure I'll end up on the medicine though.
It's always too high in the office.
Thanks for all your replies.
Love,
Ginger
That Grrl
09-23-2003, 06:58 PM
I just took the stupid monitor OFF after about 8 hours of torture. For those of you who are rather slight of build, talk specifically to your doctor about sizing and settings. I'm a very small-boned 5 ft nothing woman weighing about 110 lbs. The cuff is the same size used for a 250 lb. guy over 6 ft. tall. Or, at least, that's what I've been told. It took up all but about 3 inches of my arm above and 2 inches below, above the elbow. It was double wrapped, meaning that I all but cut off blood supply bending my arm (making typing pretty difficult). It was set to go up to 200 and did not even BEGIN to deflate for a full 15 seconds, by which time circulation was all but cut off in my arm and my heart was racing due to the stress. There is no way it was giving accurate readings. Couple that with the fact that (girls take note) I was told I couldn't wear a bra while the damn thing is on me. Not a comfortable or normal situation for me. Additionally, the theoretically small monitor you wear around your neck (about 3" x 5" x 3/4") took up about a third of my stomach area. I couldn't wear it up where most people do because of the discomfort of it lodged between my relatively close-spaced breasts on my small frame. I intend to buy a personal monitor and take the stupid readings myself. At least it will involve less stress, loss of circulation and just plain discomfort. To anyone who could actually sleep with this thing on? You are quite literally a bigger person than me!
[This message has been edited by That Grrl (edited 09-23-2003).]
[This message has been edited by That Grrl (edited 09-23-2003).]
zip2play
09-24-2003, 08:57 AM
I had one on for the first time after one-day ear surgery. It did it's thing about 4 times an hour for 1/2 day and just before I left the hospital I took a peak at the printout. All readings below 130/85. Like an idiot I didn't get a copy of the printout for skeptical Doctor Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire.
Like BlueAngel, my MD won't believe my home-made charts either...he's causing my blood to boil, which of course does NOTHING to reduce my white coat syndrome. (Pressure when seething: One Million/One thousand)
Next visit I think I will demand one of two things:
1. Prescribe the 24 hour monitor to settle this nonsense or,
2. NEVER mention the words HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE in my presence under pain of not receiving his co-payment (a hideous threat to most money conscious MD's.)
Like BlueAngel, my MD won't believe my home-made charts either...he's causing my blood to boil, which of course does NOTHING to reduce my white coat syndrome. (Pressure when seething: One Million/One thousand)
Next visit I think I will demand one of two things:
1. Prescribe the 24 hour monitor to settle this nonsense or,
2. NEVER mention the words HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE in my presence under pain of not receiving his co-payment (a hideous threat to most money conscious MD's.)
sugarplum_pdx
09-24-2003, 10:35 AM
Originally posted by zip2play:
Like BlueAngel, my MD won't believe my home-made charts either...he's causing my blood to boil, which of course does NOTHING to reduce my white coat syndrome. (Pressure when seething: One Million/One thousand)
Zip, I can't believe your doctor won't take your home readings seriously! I thought all doctors encouraged patients to try taking their BP outside the office in order to determine if it was merely anxiety or not. I've had many doctors tell me to take my BP at a pharmacy and keep track of the readings, and I'm sure a home monitor is even better, because you're more likely to be relaxed at home. The only thing I can think of is if he doesn't believe that the home monitors are accurate ... but in that case he could simply ask to see it and check out its accuracy.
My advice would be to find a different doctor if you can ... a lot of doctors are totally understanding about the white-coat phenomenon.
Like BlueAngel, my MD won't believe my home-made charts either...he's causing my blood to boil, which of course does NOTHING to reduce my white coat syndrome. (Pressure when seething: One Million/One thousand)
Zip, I can't believe your doctor won't take your home readings seriously! I thought all doctors encouraged patients to try taking their BP outside the office in order to determine if it was merely anxiety or not. I've had many doctors tell me to take my BP at a pharmacy and keep track of the readings, and I'm sure a home monitor is even better, because you're more likely to be relaxed at home. The only thing I can think of is if he doesn't believe that the home monitors are accurate ... but in that case he could simply ask to see it and check out its accuracy.
My advice would be to find a different doctor if you can ... a lot of doctors are totally understanding about the white-coat phenomenon.