Newbie Intro

Hey everyone. I'm Jocelyn. I'm new to the forum but old friends with anxiety. I'm 40, have multiple chronic health issues (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjogren's, etc). I work in marketing by day and write Christian/Inspirational novels in my free time. I've had anxiety issues my whole life. Lots of mini, internal panic attacks when taking on anything new, sinking dread over all social situations, and near meltdowns for anything medical related (White Coat Syndrome). I've thought I had it under control but over the last three-ish years my White Coat Syndrome has gotten out of control. I can look normal but when they take my blood pressure the truth comes out in scary high readings. I can take my blood pressure at home and get readings on the high side of normal. Or at least I used to be able to. My worry over the blood pressure has gotten so bad that even thinking about taking it makes my heart pound and my hands shake. (I'm even shaking now writing about it.) Anyway, I'm hoping that joining this support page will help me out. I'm also trying meditation and exercise. I see my doctor in April. If I can't keep it together then I'm biting the bullet and asking him to recommend a therapist.

[deborah27]

have you accepted meds to control your blood pressure? your post is my story! i have things in common with you that we can share and support each other.

[Hidden in reply to deborah27]

No meds have been offered. I went to my primary care doc specifically for the blood pressure issue. He ran labs, said they were fine, and told me to take my blood pressure every day. Which doesn't give me what I think are normal results because I can feel the panic in me every time I try to take it. He wasn't super concerned overall. I'd go back to him but he's since retired so now I need to deal with this and find a new primary care doc. I'm hoping my rheumatologist can help me in April with both issues. He's the doctor I trust most.

What have you done to help your White Coat Syndrome?

[KingGena in reply to Hidden]

how High is your blood pressure go up and what is the normal reading for you it all depends on your reading daily

[Hidden in reply to KingGena]

At home typically 93/77 ish. At the doctor I’ll be triple digits on both numbers.

[KingGena in reply to Hidden]

That is a good reading yes typically when your have anxiety it could go up really high but ones you come down or leave the place that course you anxiety it will go down that happen to me when a go to the doctor always

[KingGena]

Hello hope you feel better I do also suffer from Anxiety I also get upset when my blood pressure usually is normal a little bit high but I get my attacks it skyrocketing high put I do not take medication I only change my diet I only it healthy and do meditation and drink lots of tea this help me with my anxiety an walk every day can make a big change

[Hidden in reply to KingGena]

Just talking to y'all helps me feel better.

[deborah27]

lol, what is there to be done... a really annoying nuisance. i am not a pill person. i don't even take a pill for a headache. but, i had a number of high blood pressure readings and became afraid of the consequences of ignoring it. so.... after much thought, panic, sweating, fear, nausea and catastrophic thoughts, i had a damn good talk to myself and decided to take one small low dose (2.5 mg) of a blood pressure pill each day in the morning. i noticed almost straight away that my fears were reduced, anxiety level down a good bit, because i felt safer that blood pressure more stable and risks reduced of anything more. i think it's also helped me to also make changes in other ways. i would honestly say that in this situation popping one little pill is of more benefit to my state of mind than i could have imagined.

[Hidden in reply to deborah27]

I'm starting to think adding another medication is going to be necessary. I just fight any new medications. I've lived with the RA since I was 10 years old so I've been on tons of medication all of my life. I hate having to add another one.

[deborah27 in reply to Hidden]

i'm sure it isn't something you would choose, i get that. i just wanted to reassure you and take your fear away about this particular med. the sense behind it is how i am able to deal with taking it. i hope that something good works for you, getting some peace of mind is worth it's weight in gold. x

[Hidden in reply to deborah27]

Thanks. It’s really reassuring talking to y’all. And knowing meds have helped you. It gives me hope that I can get this back under control and feel human again.