[sonnyG]

I know this phobia is not really a serious problem for alot of people, but's it terrifying for me to get my blood pressure taken. I go to the doctor for check-ups but i don't like my blood pressure taken. I can go to the dentist, no problem, any test that the doctors want to give me, no sweat, am i nuts or what, been like this for along time. any constructive and helpful advice would be appreciated.

[SleepsWithButterFlies]

I don't know if youre nuts or not but of so then we are a pair I do not mind needles and well any test BUT I hate having my BP taken..I have noticed that by telling my docs..I am phobic on this it's gotten some better

[(JD)]

welcome to PC, sonny. What you describe is normal for most all of us, imo! It's good if the doctor knows that you experience this ...or the nurse. Then, try and not use the word "take" as it can be fearful in the basic sense. They measure your blood pressure (not taking anything )

I make sure 1) that they wait at least 30 sec to check it after I've been called in.. and 2) I breathe deliberately, calming, slowly and think about an even pulse... I don't have HBP but it scares me that I might one day () It's usually 115/75.. so if it reads normal, that's high to me! TC and again, welcome.

[HelgaDE]

Wow I thought I was the only one

I’m terrified of having my BP taken and going to the dentists. The last time I went to the ER room. I had a sharp pain in the chest area (I had same symptoms as a heart attack) and didn't feel like dialing up 911 but decided to walk, since the hospital isn’t that far from my house. I went to sign in my name and to explain what I had felt, I started freaking out… Like Every Nurse/Doctor was out to catch me. A nurse called me up to the front desk and told me to sit down in the Blood pressure chair.. She placed a clamp on my pointer finger (I was starting to panic) but I was trying to calm myself down. She then lifted up my arm shirt and placed the blood pressure on my arm and started pumping. My panic attack was incredibly big, Even the nurse who was moderating my blood pressure notice and she then gave me the concern face. I told her I was having a panic attack but she told me that I wasn’t having a panic attack… By then, my panic attack was at its highest top to the point that I felt like passing out. The nurse soon requested a bed in the ER room. I could barley walk! I’ve manage to walk to my bed where I was told to take off my shirt and to wear a hospital gown. Fortuity I had a real cute Nurse that was taking care of me. I had some tests done with me like the Electrocardiogram. They then doped me up with a strong dose of ativan. I felt really good after words  They diagnosed of having an anxiety attack and having a stress attack.

[sonnyG]

Man, that sounds frightening, i have those terrible feelings too. I went in for some minor surgery and the pre-op nurse took my bp, it was sky high, and it felt like the nurse's were waiting for me to explode. They were not going to do the surgery, i told them of my phobia and they gave me valium, then i relaxed and then i was normal. they asked me how i felt, of course i was ok at that point, being a wise *** i told the nurse that i felt so relaxed that i wouldn't care if they put the bp cuff around my neck. Thanks, take care!

[drunksunflower]

I get really scared of doctors anyway and that is the worst bit, i get really tense. i am reasonably fit (well I exercise a few times a week) and i know it should be fine. And if I'm just going to get the contraceptive pill it's fine, I've always been told it's perfect. But if I go for anything else (even if i say i can't sleep well they always try and poke further don't they) i get freaked.

sucks au.

there is a cure for this. you ask the doctor/nurse if they will take your blood pressure again at the end of the visit. by then you've usually calmed down and your heartbeat will be closer to normal. whitecoat hypertension is extremely common. i have it. i always ask for two readings. good luck. pat

[HelgaDE]

fayerody , I dont think theirs a cure for hospital visits. This is where I mostly have my White coat hypertension episodes. Just being around the nurse/doctor frightens me.

[(JD)]

sonny, can you check your own BP at a sit down machine in a pharmacy, would that be easier?

[sonnyG]

I take it at home, it's ok, only when someone else takes it then i get wired up.

[pegasus]

I have the same problem!

Every time a doc takes my BP it's sky-high! No matter how many times they try to do it for me. They tried taking it with me lying down. They tried it with me standing up and then sitting down.Then every hour. Every couple of days, etc etc...

So in the end they told me to go and buy a wrist-BP-taking machine to use at home.

I try to check the BP when I am fairly relaxed!

The docs have told me at what level I should worry, if it gets to high.

And not to worry about it going up and down as long as it does not stay permanently high.

Hugs.

i don't understand why it is not worth trying. lying down while your BP is being taken gives a more accurage rreading and also relaxes you.

[(JD)]

Yep. Also have them measure it in both arms for a few times, to make sure they read the same.... my MD began to accept that my BP was all over the place... when a nurse in another office noticed that my left arm (which is the most affected by the injury) NEVER gives an accurate reading. Now I only have BP measured in the right arm.

i remembered something else from class. it is a good idea to have your BP taken in both arms. if you have a blockage in an artery, the readings will be different. and that could save your life!

[sonnyG]

Thanks, take care!