topic Re: White Coat Syndrome in Wellness

White Coat Syndrome

CherryHugs — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 19:01:13 GMT

Does anyone have this too?!! Everytime I have an appointment I feel a little nervous and my blood pressure is usually up!

I have no idea why this happens. I dont always feel really nervous although at times I do feel jittery depending on what appointment I have!!

Re: White Coat Syndrome

mac116 — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 19:05:55 GMT

I have it big time! I can't seem to calm my nerves, and I usually "treat" myself when the appointment is over. I really trust and like my current internist, but I have always had a fear of doctors. My blood pressure is always high when it is initially taken.

Re: White Coat Syndrome

CherryHugs — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 19:07:28 GMT

I try and remain calm and relax but usually it doesnt help at all! My Dr once told me that is the name for it! Sometimes a nurse will say they have it too!

Re: White Coat Syndrome

pupwhipped — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 19:08:53 GMT

Yes, I've had it for years and I have no control over it. In fact, the more I try to calm myself sometimes the worse it can get. On the off chance that my blood pressure ever is normal at the doctor's office, I tell them their machine must be messed up. Ha! Funny.....not funny.

Re: White Coat Syndrome

Azcowgirl — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 19:15:22 GMT

@CherryHugs@I was thinking about this very thing today as yesterday at my appointment my bp was up slightly as it always is because of white coat syndrome. Also I drank a large caffeinated drink on my way there, which of course was a contributor.😜

Re: White Coat Syndrome

CherryHugs — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 19:17:16 GMT

@Azcowgirl i figure that caffeine adds to it lol and sugar maybe too!

plus hurrying around to get ready and get there on time is not help either lol!

Re: White Coat Syndrome

sidsmom — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 19:24:10 GMT

Yep!

I take my BP at home & it stores a week’s worth of entries.

I bring it in to show my doctor. She says it’s very common.

Stress, definitely.

Another thought...greater than zero chance we have our

legs crossed in the waiting room. They call our name, walk back

and immediately take BP reading. If they insist recording the

higher number, ask if they can take another reading 10-15 min

into the visit when things have calmed down. I would bet

it will be much, much lower.

Re: White Coat Syndrome

CherryHugs — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 19:26:37 GMT

@sidsmom I totally agree! They should wait a while to take the BP. I bet the readings would be much lower!

Sometimes they have re taken mine later and it is lower. I alway think about why they dont wait.

The Dr has had me keep a BP log and it has always been fine!

Re: White Coat Syndrome

kitcat51 — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 19:27:45 GMT

For me it has nothing to do with the white coat syndrome & everything to do with that darn blood pressure cuff, it hurts like crazy & I dread it.

Re: White Coat Syndrome

Krimpette — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 19:29:18 GMT

I'm even worse....I get stressed taking my BP at home these days! I'm hopeless!!!!!! When I go for a checkup, it always seems that when the triage nurse takes my BP, it's on the high side. However, by the time I see my NP, when she takes it again it seems much more normal. Again, I'm a hopeless case!!!! Thankfully, I do take BP meds regularly!

Re: White Coat Syndrome

corita — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 19:38:51 GMT

I definitely struggle with this syndrome too!! Rushing and fighting traffic to get to the apt; then sitting, fidgeting and waiting; then rushing in to get weighed and then BP taken!! Mine is always higher!!

I remember hearing Dr Oz state that BP readings should be taken at the end of the doctor's visit. By then, the rushing and anxiety have been minimized! I often request another reading, but they do not like it!!!

Re: White Coat Syndrome

mom2four0418 — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 20:04:49 GMT

@corita wrote:
I definitely struggle with this syndrome too!! Rushing and fighting traffic to get to the apt; then sitting, fidgeting and waiting; then rushing in to get weighed and then BP taken!! Mine is always higher!!
I remember hearing Dr Oz state that BP readings should be taken at the end of the doctor's visit. By then, the rushing and anxiety have been minimized! I often request another reading, but they do not like it!!!

When they ask to take the reading, just say you will do it at the end. You are the consumer!

Re: White Coat Syndrome

sann — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 20:27:02 GMT

I have a bad case of it. Everytime I see my primary care I always take a list of my blood pressures just to prove its nerves. I don't know why it happens, she has been my Doctor for years, and doesn't make me nervous.

Re: White Coat Syndrome

graciesmom1003 — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 20:41:10 GMT

In my physicians office the medical assistant takes your BP during the intake process before my doc arrives. it is all scripted but occasionally I ask them not to do it. when she comes in to see me for my exam, she always repeats the BP and they have completely done away with the electronic BP machines- they are usually inaccurate and the pain they cause would probably make your BP higher. The office used to have the MA use the electronic machine, but my physician always repeated it manually during the exam. that BP is always 10-15 lower. your seated position for the BP is very important. you should be seated with your feet flat on the floor, legs not crossed. your back should be against the back of the chair and the arm being monitored should be resting on a table top or arm of the chair. there should be no conversation. I know all of those things rarely happen with the MA bp check, but always true when my doc takes my bp. it's all important.

Re: White Coat Syndrome

hckynut — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 21:15:00 GMT

@CherryHugs

Hasn't been an issue with me for a long, long time. Never been a Type A individual, and I think those that are might be more susceptible to this issue.

Not to be concerned, it is more common, than uncommon.

hckynut

Re: White Coat Syndrome

Piperdellilah — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 21:31:47 GMT

I totally understand, i am the same way. i never used to be but the last few years this has been happening. And if i am going to the dentist, even for just a cleaning, i get very nervous.

Re: White Coat Syndrome

SilleeMee — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 21:36:13 GMT

No, I don't get that but I think it's because I worked in the healthcare field for so long that it doesn't bother me anymore when I go to see my doctor or when I have to go into the hospital.

Re: White Coat Syndrome

Shelbelle — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 21:52:19 GMT

Yes, I have it big time, I never allow anyone to take my BP except for my internist, no one!!

Re: White Coat Syndrome

chrystaltree — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 21:55:54 GMT

Yes! I don't know why because I work in healthcare, my hubby is an RN, we have friends who are physicians and working in healthcare, I'm familiar with everything. But still, my blood pressure goes sky high when I'm in my doctor's office. It happened in my Endocrine doc's office last month and he called my pcp and she insisted I come in for bp check. Which I haven't done because when hubby took my bp, it was fine. My pcp's office left a vm msg again today, they won't stop until I go in. So, I will go in about 2 hrs before the appointment and just relax and stay calm and give my body time to relax so that when they take my bp, it should be a true reading. I have done that in the past, it works for me.

Re: White Coat Syndrome

Shelbelle — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 23:22:24 GMT

I take my own BP at home.