First of all, deep belly breathing and stop taking your heart rate. The more you take it, the higher it will go- I speak from experience! Your heart rate could be up for a variety of reasons- dehydration (especially if you play sports), electrolyte imbalances - related to dehydration too, too much caffeine, lack of sleep, stress, etc... Try to deep belly breath - take deep breaths by pushing your stomach out first, try guided imagery- which is thinking of a place you like to go to, or want to go to-
Stop charting the heart rate and make lists of things to do, things you want to accomplish. Read a book or magazine- do things to divert your mind from your symptoms, this should help, but it takes time to reprogram your thinking. I hope some of this helps you- All I can tell you is that I have been exactly were you are, and still sometimes get a fast heart rate, but I talk myself out of it - and divert my attention.
take care -
I used one of those monitors for two week s. It would go off every 20 minutes or so and take my pulse and bp. I could only take it off to shower. I was asked to write down what I was doing at the time it went of if I had time of course. At the end of two weeks they found out I stressed out even walking into a Dr. office with some one else Dentists anything to do with DR.s So they called it white coat syndrome and gave me a prescription for a bp monitor . So when I go to the Dr. I show him what my pulse and bp were at home. Cured. They just make me nervous also certain situations will cause an elevation.
I agree- but with me, I actually think that I am less stressed w/my doctor than when i am alone!
I truly have a bad habit of checking my pulse if i feel a palp or if i get tachy though. It is a vicious cycle!
It is a vicious circle first with a monotor, Then checking pulse for palp., Now they tell me I have been running a low grade fever for months. probably means an infection but where. So now I'll have a thememotor sticking out of my mouth all the time. Hope this circle comes to a stop I'm very tired.
Hey cat33-
(i am not sure if you are male or female) but could this be a hormonal thing going on? Do you have any inflammatory things at all, such as arthritis, that could cause the low grade fever? it could also only be from maybe a urinary tract infection or something low-key like sinusitis. Dehydration is a biggie too, esp. in the summer. I would try to drink more water and less caffeine (if you drink caffeine) and see if this helps. I know i would be doing the same thing w/the thermometer -
hope you feel better soon!