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FEAR OF GOING TO DOCTOR

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Posted 12/18/2006 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
Does anyone else have fear problems with going to doctor?  Most specifically, I have fear of having my blood pressure checked. Weird.  It started about 20 years ago for me when I went for yearly exam and was in my usual anxiety knot from something or else.  My BP was a little high and the doctor said something.  Ever since then, I get myself in such a stress mess when going to the doctor that my BP is always high.  They check it again and it is still high because I'm so anxious it takes a couple of days for me to calm down!  I have to go tomorrow and I'm already worked up.  As a result, I am on BP meds which I'm not convinced I need!  I try to calm down and forget and when I get in that office my body and mind just involuntarily goes out of control!  I am so relieved to get out of there my knees are weak!   I've even been taking an Ativan before going to doctor!  Any ideas/support/experience you can provide?  Thanks!--Shari
Posted 12/18/2006 9:54 PM (GMT 0)

your problem is called white coat phobia and is common, docs know about it

tell doc you have a reaction to your BP being checked which always raises it

it helps to take a list of what you want to mention to doc

or it can help to write a note for doc to read if you think you wont be able to  explain your problems clearly

some are too anxious to stay in the waiting room, if so wait outside and get the girl to call you in when its your turn

in extreme cases, doc may come and see the patient in their car if parking space is nearby

Posted 12/18/2006 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
My mom has white coat syndrom really bad! She bought a home blood pressure machine that will print out readings. She takes her bp at home and brings the readings in and that is what the doc goes by (they even calibrated the machine for her).

Karen
Posted 12/19/2006 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
noelygirl,

I have the exact same fear!  I've always been very anxious about going to the doctor, so by the time I get there my bp is always high too.  The doctor once kept me in her office until she could get a lower reading, but it never got lower because I kept getting more and more anxious.  She finally let me go and told me to have my bp checked at Wal-mart or Cub when they offer it.  I'm too scared to do even that.  Now every time I go to the doctor I'm terrified to get my bp checked, especially when they use the machine to take it...I always ask if they will do it manually, but it still bothers me.  Once they fill that cuff up, I get lightheaded and so uptight.  I always joke with my doctor that if she followed me out to parking lot it and took it, it would be normal because as soon as I walk out the door my anxiety drops!  I hope that you do allright tomorrow, try to relax as much as you can...I'll be thinking of you.

Junebug

Posted 12/19/2006 12:00 PM (GMT 0)
I too am in this boat. The first time they take my bp its ALWAYS high but by the time they do it again its usually about normal as I continually try to deep breathe while there and concentrate on trying to get heart to slow. One time a doc cought me will going between anxious and calm states twice in one visit and made me get an EKG which turned out normal. Good luck and ...I feel your pain
Posted 12/19/2006 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
Sheri, hi, i have the same problem with the blood pressure, it took me a long time to convince my doc, he was causing that ;)
i wish you strength, you can do this i know its hard, just remember to think of him in his underwear, that might help calm you down, i try to keep things in my mind to relax me. I wish you well, take care and best of luck!
shell
Posted 12/19/2006 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
Check your blood pressure for free at most drug stores or wal-mart pharmacy. Or buy a blood pressure monitor and do it at home. If you do this often you may overcome the fear associated with it.
Posted 12/19/2006 8:40 PM (GMT 0)

Well thanks to you all for your support.  I made it through!  I took one Ativan and my BP pill in the a.m. and headed to the doc.   Took a deep breath and made it.  Higher than when I check it at home, but still in the safe range.   I always feel so good when I'm done and say "what's the big deal?"  That is until...like next month when I see another doctor mind starts turning again and I go through this again!   I can't do it at the Walmart, etc. either, I freak about other people being around and if it is high I go nuts and keep going back to check and recheck and everyone starts staring.  I do better with the one at home.  Thanks to you all for your support again!   Means a lot---Shari  PS Happy Holidays.

Posted 1/3/2012 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi. I noticed that this post is a few years ago, but my experiences are IDENTICAL to what you are going through. I am going to the dr this afternoon to have my BP checked and a EKG for what they strongly suspect is anxiety related chest tightness (I'm actually not too worried about the EKG results). But am stressing out about simply having to go through the BP reading itself. If you are still subscribing to this post, could you know your experiences and if you have improved in the last few years.

Thanks.

DSKPEN
Posted 1/3/2012 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
dskpen,

This thread is 6 years old as well as the OP has not been online since 2008.  As you have a thread by the same name started I am locking this thread down.

Thank you,

Kitt

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