white coat syndrome

purple2782 · Post by **purple2782** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:06 pm

I am 26 and generally healthy. I don't have blood pressure problems, but when I go to the doctor, I get so nervous right before they take my pressure that it usually is a little high. I've taken it at pharmacy test centers and its usually normal. The doctors tell me its something called "white coat syndrome", which is just where you get really nervous around doctors and nurses. What I really want to know is if anyone else has this problem and if anyone has any techniques to calm themselves down? I try taking a few deep breaths, but I still can always feel my heart racing.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:15 pm

I do have this syndrome as well. When I get to the doctor I try to center myself and say "OK I made it here, now all I need do is just sit back, relax and wait for the doctor to come in." Then I do some relaxation exercises for a minute or two. I also read a magazine to distract myself. Before going I try to positive imagine the visit going very well, seeing my blood pressure be at 120/80 (which it normally is for me) and seeing myself walking out of the office happy with the outcome of my appointment. If you need to go to the doctor you need to go so I just try to accept and float with it and it usually works at keeping me from getting too tensed up. If all else fails try some humor. Imagine the doctor & staff completely naked- that'd put a smile on anyone's face LOL!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:39 pm

This is a sore subject for me. Yes, I had this bigtime. This is what started my panic disorder. I would get high readings at the doctor's office, then worry about it. My worry got so bad I couldn't sleep, which resulted in a complete loss of all confidence in being able to sleep. I then freaked out and untimately had a major breakdown which I'm still recovering from.

If you're worried about this, my advice to you would be to get a prescription for Xanax just for doctor's visits. If I would have done this, I would be in a much better situation today.

The good news is I'm working the program and improving over time, but it's tough.

Good luck, and don't worry about it.
Jim

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 2:13 pm

purple2782,

I have been diagnosts with "white coat syndrome" since I was a baby. Mine use to make me shake and my fever would go up and I would get a fever. Now taking my daughter to the doctor I work myself up about it for days before the visit. I have told my doctor of this and now they will take their jacket off and that helps me out alot. I still struggle with this but the jacket being off and them being in normal clothes has helped. I also bring a book or a word search to keep my mind off of it and that really help me to. I try to make my appointments the same day so that I don't have long to think about it before I go. Try listening to soothing music or if you have the program the relaxing cd's or tapes then on your way there don't think about going to the doctor think about what you need to do after the doctor. You can give yourself positive talk and it does make it decrease if not go away all together. I hope these things help you like they do me.

Jennifier

hopehound · Post by **hopehound** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:31 am

My blood pressure would shoot up at DR exams no matter how hard I tried to relax. I purchased an inexpensive wrist blood pressure monitor and take my pressure 2x a day for about 3 days BEFORE my DR appts. I take the readings into the DR at my appt so he can see that it is just "white coat syndrome". He even tested my wrist monitor with his cuff for accuracy. This really takes the pressure and anxiety off of me during the visit knowing I do not have high blood pressure.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:49 am

I dread going to the doctors too.

However I just scheduled a Physical & I know I can
get thru it relaxed if I just focus on positive
thoughts and try not to dwell on the blood pressure part. It always freaks me out when they
find it high & then I get home and obsess about it. Since then I have bought a wrist monitor and
have taken it at home when I am relaxed and it's
always normal- So I know it's just my anxiety and the anticipation of the 'taking the BP' that
makes it go up.
I plan on doing the breathing exercises and a lot of guided imagery- What helps is the close your eyes when the nurse is taking it and think of something relaxing or your favorite place.
I would transport myself to an island relaxing in the warm sun under an umbrella,feeling the
warm winds off the ocean & hearing the waves gently wash up onto the shore.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:02 am

I am also 26 and I sometimes get nervous at the doctors also. Mostly because I am afraid that I will have a panic attack. I get nervous when I lie down on my back for some reason and I get fidgety. I have told my dentist about it and he is also a family friend so that helps a little. I think it also helps if you can bring someone with you someone that understand you or that is willing to tell the doctor how you feel if you can't tell them how you feel. It usually helps me if I tell people what is wrong with me before hand. Plus they are doctors after all they are only here to help. I had a nurs eafter seeing a psychologist walk me to the elevator cause I was so nervous for some reason. They are willing to help. so tell your doctor's don't be afraid, and if they aren't understanding then get a new doctor that is! no one said you had to stay with the same doctor! I hope this helps. God knows I need it also !

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu May 01, 2008 5:26 am

hello everyone

i get very nervous going to the doctors also. my bloodpressure sky rockets to like 160/90. my doctor actually had me take mt bp at home for 2 months twice a week just to prove that it was only when i was extremely nervous. my question is if my bp is high whenever im nervous or anxious wich is almost all the time, it must be bad for me and i should probably be taking something to calm me down right? ive been trying to get rid of this anxiety med free but if my bp is high most of the time thats no good for me either. im so confused. i really had to relax myself before taking those bp numbers for my doctor. i always made sure no eating, excercise, smoking or moving around to much before each one. well im rambling now so i'll just say good luck to all of you and if you have any advise for me i'd appreciate it

cathy

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu May 01, 2008 6:35 am

Hi Cathy,

I would suggest you talk with your doctor about your concerns about your blood pressure. If you are currently anxious all the time, it may be necessary to take a blood pressure medication until you get past the anxiety.

I got so worked up about taking the medication that it caused my anxiety disorder. I researched on the internet and took in all the horror stories about the medications. DO NOT DO THIS!! These are not objective reviews of the medication.

I'm currently taking a pretty low dose of a beta blocker to help my blood pressure until I can get past this anxiety. A beta blocker blocks the effects of the adrenaline response on the heart.

After all the panic I put myself through about taking the medication, I have had no side effects whatsoever.

Jim

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu May 01, 2008 12:17 pm

Thank you for this thread. I knew that I wasn't the only one that had this problem but somehow I still felt like I was. Everyone else seems so calm and together in the waiting room (I'm sure I do too) but I always felt like I was just some sort of big baby. I feel like I "should" not be anxious at the doctor's office because I "should" be mature enough to handle things like this. I know that Lucinda says we aren't supposed to "should" all over ourselves. But I don't always realize I am doing it yet.