Monster Machine and Me

[marsbarr]

you have probably read before; i freak out when it is time for blood pressure,

i am so sick of me and this fear and panic, I don't know where it comes from or how to stop it, its ridiculous and it gets on my nerves.

Here I am having a routine GYN appointment nothing to get antsy about and I was as cool as a cucumber in the waiting room, even when they called my name to go to the exam room. I sat in the chair answering the same routine questions and then the Assistant said she was going to take my vitals and here comes the cart squeaking looking like a big intimidating monster. I immediately asked to use the rest room, I know I once read that you should not do a bp check with a full bladder, oh well any excuse would do for me. I returned trying to fake being calm while she strapped my arm in. I sat waiting and while I waited it started. as it got tighter, I could feel the panic coming up from my feet, each time it tightened I became more anxious and even at one point because of it being so tight, I started to say its going to burst. it was so tight and my anxiety was through the roof, what started off calm was now in fear and turmoil, she took it off and told me high numbers, I tried to explain to the Assistant; who was young enough to be my child that I was having an anxiety attack, she just looked at me like I was crazy.

Please dont tell me to try and take it at home, I have tried and I cant, I become nervous and agitated and I will snatch it off, I have the cuff and arm kind

I try to meditate before; doesnt work, cant sit still.

I try to breathe, end up hyperventilating

I try to listen to music; nope

even when my husband takes his pressure if I am in ear shot, I get anxiety from that horrible buzzing sound.

I want to be able to take my bp at home and stay up on my numbers, I usually conquer my fears but this conquers me every time.

somebody please tell me what can I do. this is driving me crazy and it makes me feel like a complete failure .

I want to see good numbers because I was relaxed with no fear, no panic, and no anxiety.

thanks in advance friends

[Blue-52]

I’m exactly the same, white coat syndrome, but now I do mine at home, I get anxy and it might go high, so I do it again, and again, until I finally get a good number and I calm down. It’s trial and error, also mind over matter, but the tightness hurts me as I have fm and cfs, so I persevere and it comes good in the end.

[Agora1 in reply to Blue-52]

Great job Blue-52 xx

[Blue-52 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you 😀 xx

[marsbarr in reply to Blue-52]

great job Blue and thanks. i am going to try and be the little engine that could, its great to find someone who is like this. how many times do you have to do over/ do you do back to back?

[Blue-52 in reply to marsbarr]

You are very welcome, it’s not a nice feeling.

Sometimes, I will do it back on back, if that doesn’t work, I wait 10 minutes, and try again, it really depends on the day, as to how I am feeling, sometimes I sit, then I may sit in bed, with my legs stretched, that normally works for me, and I just leave the arm band on, and randomly press the start, while I’m watching TV, lol, I sometimes forget I’ve pressed it.

Good luck, I hope it works for you.

[marsbarr in reply to Blue-52]

Blue-52 thank you soooo much

[Agora1]

Hi marsbarr, great post in which many of us can relate to. Telling ourselves to just

relax doesn't work but makes us focus more on the Monster Machine and what it

may relay. The more we try to stay calm the harder it becomes until the numbers

at the end prove us right. Do we have high blood pressure?? Probably not, since most

people who do, don't even know it and can sit calmly through the reading.

In having our blood pressure readings done, it also involves sitting properly.

Relax shoulders, don't cross legs or ankles but plant both feet on the floor,

Holding your arm in midair is not the best stance to take. Hopefully the nurse

will allow you to rest your arm on a table, chest high. The reason none of the

methods we've learned may not work is because of the baggage stored in our

subconscious brain. Pretty hard to rid ourselves of all those issues while sitting

in front of this machine.

I do my deep breathing while having my pressure read as well as mentally thinking

and feeling myself going down in an elevator 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 slowly...It may

work, it may not but you can't get upset about it. Only adds more stress to the visit.

Most doctors know of "white coat syndrome" if they have seen their patients for a

long time. So they are not about to jump to a blood pressure medication.

While in the hospital I noticed that my morning b/p readings were always higher

at 8am then in the afternoon or evening. The anticipation of a new day or even a

doctor's appt. can have our sensitized nervous system go into high gear. Sometimes,

a doctor will retake it towards the end of the visit and get lower numbers.

It can be frustrating for sure but as my dentist always says, he rather a patient come

in with higher numbers than low blood pressure. This is all a part of the Anxiety Game

it plays. But one day, you will win against the Monster Machine and Anxiety and kick

it to the curb. First you need to accept and work on life's situations. Wishing you

Peace & Calm today. xx

[marsbarr in reply to Agora1]

ALWAYS, always, always, love your answers for anyone and especially for me. i am truly grateful. I wish you could hold my hand in these appointments or sit and talk to me when i try at home. You Agora1 can calm a fish out of water. 😌

[Agora1 in reply to marsbarr]

Lol well I don't know about calming a fish out of water, however, I had the chance

to use my method for myself this morning.

The occupational therapist came today as we worked on exercising my arms and

hands, talked about pacing myself more and then after an hour, takes my b/p.

I had to reverse my train of thinking within moments. I brought my shoulders

down away from my ears and slowly starting my deep belly breathing. Picturing

in my head slowly going down in an elevator. Pressure reading 122/76 It worked,

it works. Takes practice. Not to worry my friend, you will get there. I like the

advice from Blue-52 Taking it at home and practicing relaxing as you do, can

help you get some true readings as well as help you during those office visits. xx

[marsbarr in reply to Agora1]

i definitely will try to bring shoulders down, they are connected to my ears. when i try to belly breathe, i have to laugh at myself because it seems as though I am pushing it out. I love the idea of the elevator and will try this, hey gotta remember in the elevator hearing, GOING DOWN😀

[mentalhealthandme]

Omg I relate to this so much! I've avoided going to the doctors now all together. The last time I had my BP checked I was trying so hard to be calm but the nurse looked at me like 😳 and said it's so high I've never seen that before and did a chuckle. I felt so embarrassed and like i really must be the only one with this bad of anxiety. Why does it seem like the nurses have never seen someone anxious before? I'm sorry you're going through this. I know how frustrating it can be. I think the more you try to get over the fear the harder it will be. Maybe give yourself a break if you can.

[marsbarr in reply to mentalhealthandme]

Yes they do look at you when you try to tell them how you feel like you are crazy. I am going to a new Primary tomorrow and I am quite anxious about that. I am not going to let anyone but the Dr take it tomorrow. No means No and that is all to it. I wanted to try and take it before I went but I hid the damn thing and now I can't find it. So I'm going to hope . Thanks for answering and reminding me that I'm not the only one. Here's to us in trying to get it together. 👍

[Agora1 in reply to marsbarr]

marsbarr, believe me you are not the only one experiencing this issue.

Many doctors prefer to take their patient's b/p after they have been in the

office for a while. When we first walk on is probably not the best of times

to take a reading. I wish you Good Luck tomorrow with your new Primary.

It's going to be okay. xx

[mizzou7016]

I check my bp all the time.......gotta make sure my medicine is working