[dealhunter7379]

Hi all,

I'm just curious really. Also, I didn't really know where to put this, so I hope this is OK.
My question is this: How many of you have been to dentist recently, or not even recently, but they checked your blood pressure while you were there??
I know they are pushing dentists to grab vitals at every visit. My problem, and it is keeping me from going to the dentist now as well as a Dr.s office. I've got a terrible case of white coat hypertension. Have suffered this ridiculous affliction since childhood and am now in 40's. It hasn't gotten any better over the years. The thought of walking into a Dr.s office send my heart racing and palms sweating. The whole WCH thing is just crazy to me anyway. I'm not scared of any thing. I mean, people and things don't get to me like having BP taken, pulse measured, heart listened to....All those things make me crazy. Fact is, only time I feel that panicked is when I know one or all of the above mentioned is going to happen. I went near a decade without seeing a Dr. because of this.
Now I hear that my dentist could be doing it? Now I can't even get my teeth cleaned Like I used to. I think they're out to get me.
Anyone else feel the same? Any input on having yours measured at dentist?

Thanks all,

John

[Shazerac]

White coat hypertension is very common. They do take your blood pressure at my dentist if they are going to give me happy gas. My blood pressure is always sky high because I hate going to the dentist or doctor. I just tell them that get really nervous and they usually just say "oh ok, we see that all the time."

[*Laurie*]

Hi John, Okay, first of all- what about taking a prn benzo before your dental visit? Another option is telling the tech that you don't want your BP taken. Also, you could tell the tech that you have WCH.

I don't have the fear about getting my BP taken; I just feel terrified of being at the doctor or dentist in general. And yes, last time I went to the dentist a few months ago they did take my BP.

[dealhunter7379]

@Shazerac and @*Laurie* Thank you both for the comments...OK, So, Benzos, Right. I pop a Xanax before every Dr.s appt. It has to help to some extent, but I doubt it lowers my numbers much. Probably helps more leading up to appt and what not. I always schedule anything in the morning to get it over with. If it's in the afternoon, I freak over the appt all day. I've found that just telling whomever is taking the BP measurement that I have terrible White Coat seems to let me relax a little bit. I would assume that outwardly, I might even appear calm, so letting them know I'm in a panic takes some of the surprise from tech or whomever. Of course I might look like I'm being led to the gallows as well. At my PCP, they all of course know the deal. I'm getting older and seeing a Dr., rather NOT seeing one is more difficult than when one is in their 20's say. Things start to not work right. I'm sorry, I blather on and on....A sheer panic. That's what it is. I can't think of anything in daily life that makes me feel that sick, wretched inside. Fight or Flight, and neither is really an option. Public speaking, which I hate, elicits a similar response. Nothing else really does. Nothing else comes close.
OK, so, the dentist. I can only surmise this is the damn insurance companies handy work. Figure another way to get everyones numbers as often as possible. Convince dentist they are setting themselves up for lawsuit if they don't. I read that in the U.K., they want you to get your BP checked at every checkout line in the grocery. It feels like they are starting to chase me. Ha. Kidding of course. Kinda
If I'm just there for a cleaning, which sadly, I probably won't be for.....Ever maybe? I would have no trouble telling hygienist "No thanks." It would still make me nervous being there though. I find the condition somewhat embarrassing as well? How crazy is that? Telling hygienist about my embarrassing condition would make me nervous anyway. The real problem is this....Ive read on several different occasions from different people that dentists are refusing care if your BP is too high for their liking. Apparently even an IM shot of novocaine can raise BP, the stress of having a filling, crown, whatever can and does raise BP. So, BP too high, no filling. Some Dr.s are understanding of White Coat. Some act as though we make it up. Like there hasn't been literally 100's of studies done on it. I can only assume dentists would feel the same. Thought being, if it's 170/100 now, whats it going to be when I start drilling?
I have always been an every 6 months teeth cleaning guy. Now, the stupid BP Cuff has robbed me off that fresh clean feeling. I have started taking my BP at drug stores and stuff whereas few years ago I wouldn't have dreamt of sitting down at that ridiculous machine. Hope being that it will condition me to some extent. So far, when I walk through the door and in my head think "Do it. Take your BP." My heart starts pounding. It's not working thus far. As I age, the trips to Dr. are only going to increase. Ughhh. I apologize for the length of this post. Just ranting. Feels good to spit it all out as well. So, thank you for listening, or not. Ha...Thank you for the responses previous anyway
My sweet wife is only person I now that can take my BP and get an honest value. Even when I try and take it, I know it's elevated. You can feel that kinda stress in your chest. A lightness or something. If I try and take it, I feel that panic creeping in.
OK, that's all. Thanks ladies. I can go on and on with this subject, so feel free to respond, ask a question, whatever.
Have a great day!

[*Laurie*]

Okay, first of all...it's not the blood pressure cuff that has robbed you of being an excellent dental patient, it's your perspective on the whole thing. I will be very frank. Something I've noticed about people who have extreme fears of medical treatment is that they frequently opt for the "paranoid perspective" - i.e., insurance is out to get me...the only reason doctors do whatever is because they're afraid of lawsuits, and so on.

I have miserable health anxiety and I'm almost 55, so scary realities are definitely starting to appear. I had a very real, very frightening cancer scare this summer, for example (fortunately, it turned out okay...but weeks of waiting and worrying).

One thing I find that helps my tremendous anxiety, helps to calm it, is to see the doctors and dentists as caring, helpful people. Of course insurance is a huge aspect of medical care - I think we Americans are especially aware of that in these times - money and medicine go hand-in-hand, yes. BUT I do believe that people usually become medical professionals because they do want to help and heal and I do believe that the system is, for the most part, set up to help patients. For example, I was pleased when the tech took my BP last time I went to the dentist because I'd rather know what it is, especially before doing some kind of procedure.

My strongest suggestion to you is to find and explore all the ways you can to work with your anxiety. Focus on doing that while trying to take the focus off all the other stuff. Find out how you can become strong and grounded in yourself.

WCS is so common all healthcare professionals are aware of it, I doubt it would ever stop your dentist seeing you, although I am unsure why they are taking BP for just a scale and polish. Maybe for their records Idk. Btw I have never heard about BP being checked in UK checkout queues, although we do have options to get checked for free at pharmacies if we choose.

WCS isn't the same as high BP but I have been told it is still a warning you need to keep your anxiety in check, because it's still not good its spiking. Excellent advice from Laurie to work on your grounding techniques/relaxation, find out what works for you.