White coat syndrome

[Demon]

Since I've been having trouble with diverticulitis I've been freaking out everytime I get a heart rate/blood pressure reading at the doctors/hospital, which leads to them panicking and then I panic more and it shoots up.

Anyone else had this? Not great considering I'm probably going to need surgery soon.

Yep, as others mentioning, doing this at home is the real answer.

My Mrs struggles with it, and our Braun BP monitor at home has saved the day, she even sends in screen shots of the trend over a week and they are very happy to accept that.

As for white coat syndrome etc, that is really just another irrational fear (I had/have issues flying which is hilarious considering how much I have to do!), I found private CBT massively helped after I was involved in aircraft incident (Plane caught on fire (electrically) just after take off) which all happene during 9/11 which didn't help! So it might be worth looking at local CBT practioners and seeing if it would cover it.. I was sceptical, but the method/science is sound and it somewhat worked in that I am able to fly again, just needs me to sometimes focus on the exercises and coping methods but am glad I persevered.

What I can say for surgery is everyone is worried/apprehensive, that's normal, my only operation was a slightly complicated procedure that involved a large scar on my back when they effectively 'dremelled' a bulging disk and nerve canal opening.. In hindsight it was a great experience, I had this amazing sleep, I woke up feeling no pain and was on my back still (I don't know why, but I expected not to be lying on the wound!) so asked the nurse what had stopped the operation going ahead and she looked at me blankly and said "Oh, no, the operation was a great success, you are just recovering now".. I had morphine on demand and I luckily was able to get it done privately so did have a full english breakfast the next morning and went home in the afternoon.. All the fears I had just dissipated and I'm more relaxed about things now..

 

[Chris344]

I’ve suffered from White Coat Syndrome and health anxiety for many years, and it’s well-documented in my GP file. Subconsciously, I cannot stand being in a medical setting—my heart rate spikes, and my blood pressure shoots up. For example, I had a cyst removed around 18 months ago, and as soon as the nurse mentioned taking my blood pressure before the procedure, I felt my heart rate increase. Initially, it was 182/91, but it dropped to around 140/82 on the second reading. The nurse recommended that I get checked out, so I saw a cardiologist who performed an echo, a 24-hour Holter monitor, and a 24-hour blood pressure check—all of which came back normal.

Additionally, my ECG also becomes abnormal due to being very anxious. Recently, I went to the doctor for a chest infection, and my heart rate was high—likely due to both my anxiety in the practice and the infection itself. The GP sent me to the hospital, which only heightened my anxiety as soon as she mentioned A&E. The hospital staff initially thought I was having a heart attack until they conducted more tests and I showed them my previous ECGs on my phone, dating back to 2011. These showed the same findings as the hospital’s ECG, which all the cardiologists have previously confirmed the ECG readings are of no concern and normal for me, and caused by me being anxious. Funnily enough, the hospital did a repeat ECG before discharging me, and it went from abnormal to normal as I calmed down, with my heart rate dropping from 130 to around 102. My normal resting heart rate is in the 70s, according to my Apple Watch. When the hospital saw that the current ECG matched my previous ones, they realised everything was fine. After that, I was just given antibiotics for the infection.

I’ve seen a cardiologist 3-4 times over the past 12 years or so for the same reason, and the results are always the same: normal. Because of this, I now refuse to have my blood pressure taken unless it’s absolutely necessary. I’ve dealt with this for years, and even at home, I get anxious just looking at a blood pressure monitor, so I don’t keep one in the house. Yet, my 24-hour averages are always normal, around 121/70. Since stopping caffeine, I’ve noticed that when I have to have my blood pressure taken, it has never gone above 140/90, even when I’m anxious. It seems that caffeine definitely contributed to the spikes when I was very anxious. It’s a horrible experience.

 

[tres]

Since I've been having trouble with diverticulitis I've been freaking out everytime I get a heart rate/blood pressure reading at the doctors/hospital, which leads to them panicking and then I panic more and it shoots up.

Anyone else had this? Not great considering I'm probably going to need surgery soon.

Buy a BP monitor, less than £20.
Do 2 readings in the morning, 2 readings in the evening, for a week. Don't do them directly after hot showers or big meals.

If they are normal, nothing to worry about.

 

[arknor]

I get a heart rate/blood pressure reading at the doctors/hospital, which leads to them panicking and then I panic more and it shoots up.

I had one last year.
She said "did you have a hard time getting here?"
I said "No, I just live down the road 10 minutes away"

I thought she was making small talk

She took 3 readings and the first one was the lowest.


I suffer from anxiety