bp surgery phobia

[rosali]

I take my blood pressure regularly, and it is fine at home, sometimes it is on the low side, but mostly around 125/70 pulse aroung 64 at rest. However, I have suddenly developed a phobia when I go to the surgery about once a year to have it checked and it is through the roof. I can feel the pressure rising and I cannot do a thing about it. I calm down immediately on leaving the surgery, but my fear is that they will put me on a higher dose of water pill, when I am on 2.5 mg because of it being high a year ago.

I am not on any other medication, and have always been active, but since I lost my husband 2 years ago with a long illness after 51 years of marriage, this phobia has got worse. I have no problem with needles or dentist it is only blood pressure. My husband, who I looked after for several years, had a history of high blood pressure, but was controlled with medication.

I don't feel that increasing my medication will make any difference, because the problem does not lie with medication, it lies with a feeling of panic, I am otherswise in good health, except for a back problem which I am being treated for by an osteopath, but is like torture but I don't mind because it is helping.

I would like to get over this bp business, I wasn't always like that, I was a blood donor until age 70, I am 75 now, and only slightly overweight. I only want a true reading whether it be high or low, but I don't seem to be able any more to control this feeling.

Help

aliros

[FLBrat]

This is a common thing.  So many people I know have a good level BP until it is taken at the doctor's office.  A lot of people I know have started taking the blood pressure and noting it in a notepad with date and time of day to bring with them to the doctor to show how it runs through normal life circumstances.  A couple weeks worth, a month, whatever you feel is fair representation.  Like showing the doctor a slideshow of your health.  Since blood pressure seems to be a changeable creature, it will also give you a better clue on an "average BP".  

[rosali]

Thank you for your reply, it is good to know that I am not alone.

I bought a new monitor on advice when I had the last reading, and I am taking the results which are excellent, but will they take it into account? I hope so.

[ireneo]

I understand your concern. I can't stand going to the doctor but hey, we all have to do it some time. My doc knows how I feel about coming to see her. I had to go in yesterday. My BP was high as usual. I even had nightmares the evening before and I'm usually a very calm person. But I ended up being scheduled for tons of tests that I don't want and don't think I need. No wonder I don't enjoy going in. Still, I do keep a random list of BP readings at home and show those to my doc. That way she knows I'm not ready to pop a gasket. I hope your doctor will be open to doing that too.

[rosali]

Many thanks for your reply, I am the same, the only thing is I wasn't always like that, I was a first aider at my work for !7 years and nothing ever bothered me, I think it was the stress and upset of seeing my husband deteriate which started me off, I really do not think I need any further medication, and that is what is the matter when I go for a test, it shoots my bp and heart rate through the roof if I think they are going to give me further medication which will not make the slightest bit of difference to my readings, if they gave me the whole bottle!
I take my bp and write down the readings from time to time. I showed them  to my GP and he agreed that they were fine, but wanted proof.If I had any cause for concern I would shoot to the surgery like grease lightening! so it's not that I am being complacent. I really do not know the answer, I shall have to have one of those awful 24 hour monitors on again going off every 15 minutes, it is enough to make you tear your hair out.

I hope, like myself, you will learn to relax but it is easier said than done, and when they tell you to relax it makes it worse!

Cheers and thanks for your comments

[lulu1971]

I am exactly the same. My BP shoots up and I'm a nervous wreck. Do mention this to your doctor and get them to take it seriously. I speak with my doctor about it and she is very sympathetic.

Have you thought about talking to someone else about it? Maybe some therapy? it could be some grif still stuck in there that needs some ironing out so to speak. I actually went to see a hypnotist and it helped a lot. It's not like anything you see on the TV or read about. It was actually a very calming experience and helped me understand the fear and talk myself through it.

And I'm sorry about you losing your husband. That is an admirable amount of time to be married, and I'm sure you cherish those years.

Good wishes to you.

[rosali]

Thank you for your kind remarks which I do find comforting. I have spoken to my niece about it and she understands because she has a needle phobia, any phobia which is experienced by a person is real and frightening to them, and I understand and sympathise, although in my youth I couldn't understand such things. I cannot discuss this with my family, because, as I have always been interested in medical matters, they would hardly believe me because it seems so trivial.

I do think, however, that something starts things off, and in my case I am sure it was to do with my husbands long illness and losing him. He was my best friend and it is hard to come to terms with, but you just have to keep going for the family's sake.

I shall try hypnosis as you suggest, I have actually thought about it myself but am not sure that I could be hypnotised but I will try anything to get rid of this thing. I feel the blood rushing to my head and my heart is nearly jumping out of my chest, so to anyone who hasn't experienced it, it must seem as if I am not quite sane! It is not as if it is painful, I can go to the dentist quite happily and am not frightened of pain, it is just this bp thing.

I hope you can also get some comfort in the knowledge that you are not on your own, and good luck in the future, you may suddenly get to acually like going! But that is a long way off for me.

Nice to chat, it helps to get things off your chest, after all it's what they say, 'A
problem shared is a problem halved.'