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Anybody have health anxiety, particularly around blood pressure?
I had very high blood pressure during pregnancy, to the point I was hospitalized for 8 days while they tried to get it under control. It wasn't preeclampsia, just diagnosed as gestational hypertension. I have been on medication for BP ever since, and my daughter will be 4 in March. I've suffered from anxiety ever since and have anti-anxiety medication... I stressed about every small pain that I felt! My blood pressure is good when I take it at home, but if I have to have my it taken at the Dr's it goes through the roof! Does anybody else have this type of problem and if so, do you have any solutions for getting a good reading at the Dr?
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I suffer from the same thing. I see a therapist weekly to work through the anxiety, and a cardiologist for my blood pressure. I take benazapril and amlodopine for my BP, and I also find that talking to someone about the underlying anxiety to be very helpful.
@jen1988 same here as a youngster not taken seriously and paid for it later years and had some great therapy in people outside my family, like friends of the family that could see my struggles and helped me in times needed. made a difference in my early phases. now almost 60 plus years later and starting over from scratch 4 times and a lifetime of struggle and heartache i can honestly say that i have had a good life. all because i listened to elders that helped me along my journey's. from grand parents to neighbors to relatives it all came together due to their values and willingness to teach what they had growing up. a lot i missed but what stuck made me a better person, i pray that you find someone to guide you through your struggles. Prayer ===========sent and i wish you a blessed day.
It sounds like you have been spooked. And now every ache and pain makes you think the worst is about to happen - been there, done that. I think it is probably normal and is probably white coat syndrome. Now you expect something awful to happen when you are at your doctor's office. Well, you have been caught in a trap. Its up to you to open the door and get yourself out. You already know you are OK when you are at home. How do you feel about your doctor and the office staff? Are they "officious" and make you feel vulnerable, like a subject waiting to drop in front of them? Or are they warm and fuzzy and make you feel welcome when you come in? If THEY expect the worst, you will follow suit and your BP will soar. Remember, they work for you, not the other way around. You are their boss. I listen to lots of podcasts on gaslighting and narcissism - my favorites are Dr. Ramani on narcissism, that is how you find her, just Dr. Ramani; then there is this cute little anesthesiologist who is always shown in scrubs in the OR (I don't remember his name) so it you google gaslighting on YouTube, you will eventually find him. It just might be the doctor that is the source of the problem and not you. Think about it. You might need to change providers. Just a guess, but worth a thought - good luck.