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Very Unusual Situation (White Coat Hypertension)

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/11/2010 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
My first four Remicade infusions went off without a hitch but the fifth one I hadn't slept well the night before, and was very anxious and I got a high blood pressure reading. The readings kept going up and up and then it peaked at 215/115? They thought I was going to have a stroke but I felt fine!

I of course was scared and got my home BP machine and my readings have been near perfect for the past six weeks. I went today for my infusion and I was anxious again my reading was 189/106! I panicked and told the nurse I was going to the bathroom and walked out on the infusion.

Anyway, I Googled it and found something called "white coat hypertension". Has anyone else experienced this?

I think I'm going to have a private nurse do this in my home.
Posted 5/11/2010 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
     I am on medication for high blood pressure.  It doesn't go too high from white coat nor did it get high when I used to have my Remicade infusions.  However, before one of my flex sigs, I believe it was in June, while he was performing the scope, I had a tremendous headache.  He aborted the scope and took my blood pressure, and like you, it was 216/110!  WOW, did the doc ever get scared, worse than I was..lol.  He immediately phoned my family physician who just happens to be across the street from the GI's office and sent me over for medication.  He performed two flex sigs since then, but the last one he had to put me under anesthesia because I am flaring so badly.
Posted 5/11/2010 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for sharing that, I don't feel so bad now. But I am mortified...I actually walked out on my infusion today! How embarrassing...
Posted 5/11/2010 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
I get white coat syndrome. So badly, that I will take my BP at home a few times before I leave for my appt. I bring my BP monitor (that records previous readings) with me and show them, see it was normal an hour ago!

Maybe you can take a Xanax or something to help you relax before infusions?
Posted 5/11/2010 4:59 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I think it's not that unusual. A good friend of mine had white coat hypertension-- so her internist actually encouraged her to get her own BP monitor & take readings at home for comparison with medical center readings. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 5/11/2010 12:33 PM (GMT 0)
My grandmother had it too. I would take her bp at home, which usually read very good but when she went to a docs office, it was mega high! I would have to tell them that her normal readings where good but she just had the white coat syndrome.
Posted 5/12/2010 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I just left my PC doctor and, although my BP was a little high, it was nothing compared to the infusion situation. My GI is trying to get me approved for Humira so I can take it at home. This way I won't freak out from being in the hospital doing the Remicade.

I still can't believe that I can get my own blood pressure that high from stressing myself out!

So weird...
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