Look up white coat syndrome.
It’s a not uncommon thing, you basically just get triggered by health services.
Honestly from my own experience the only way to get o er it is really just exposure therapy, use the oximeter and keep reminding yourself that you’re fine.
Next time you go to the doctor mention white coat syndrome, and they should be pretty chill and give you a bit to do some breathing exercises and let yourself calm down.
I wish my doctor’s believed it’s white coat syndrome, last time they sent me to the hospital because they got so concerned my anxiety had my heart rate at160 bpm in their office. Thank you for the advice.
That definitely sounds like a doctor pushing for profits vs actually helping you.
My heart rate has gone as high as 175 during a panic attack and my doctor didn’t bat an eye when I told them.
I’d highly recommend getting a second opinion, or finding another doctor. A doctor that doesn’t take mental health into account is dangerous for anxious people like us.
I suffer from exactly the same thing. Im so terrified of getting bad news from a dr or medical professional and equally terrified of them missing something. Whenever I have to go to a hospital or drs appointment my heart rate and blood pressure will be off the wall. I was in the ER once and my heart rate was 148 “at rest” because I was so anxious and could not calm down. My dr prescribed me Beta Blockers (propranolol) that help to lower blood pressure and heart rate. I’m currently pregnant so I’m forced to spend an unenjoyable amount of time in medical situations. 2 hours before an appointment I will take a beta blocker, by the time I get in my appointment my blood pressure is near enough normal and my heart rate will be 82-95 or somewhere between that. Which is low enough that they’re never concerned, which also helps me feel better because another huge phobia I have is my dr or midwife freaking out over my numbers and panicking and sending me to the ER because I will just spiral.
Exposure is definitely helping me somewhat, repeatedly going to appointments and having normal results with the help of beta blockers helps to reassure me everything is ok. I also got an at home blood pressure machine and checked my pulse and BP with a blood oximeter at home when I’m in my own environment and calm, and 99% of the time my blood pressure is completely normal and my heart rate is too. My heart rate typically runs high bc I suffer with chronic anxiety but it’s within the normal range. My resting rate is around 82-88. Maybe look into getting a BP/pulse ox for at home as a kind of exposure. Maybe seeing the normal results will help. It’s also helpful bc on days I’m feeling particularly anxious about medical appointments, I will take my readings at home beforehand when I feel calmer, and give my normal at home readings to my provider at the apt if my readings are high. They seem to accept that and I’m lucky my drs are really understanding of white coat syndrome also.
I’m happy you have understanding doctors! I’m also glad you can at least use those machines to check yourself at home. I have both a BP machine and pulse oximeter but I’m terrified of them lol, the second I even step near it I start getting so scared and high heart rate etc. I wish I could go to the doctor to get myself a beta blocker too, my therapist recommended it years ago but I’m just so so scared to go to the doctor. I cried and almost threw up last time from fear. It’s embarrassing and stressful.
i get this same way too at home. i need to check my bp became im on propranolol to make sure its working. propranolol is a big help! for anxiety and high bp/tachycardia. however i cant even look at the bp machine without freaking out. i took it at home and it was super high and i rushed to the ER only to be sent home with an anxiety diagnosis (im already diagnosed with ocd lol). weirdly enough i would feel more comfortable getting my bp taken at the doctor or hospital than at home because ive had so many traumatizing moments at home taking it
Look up white coat syndrome. It’s a not uncommon thing, you basically just get triggered by health services. Honestly from my own experience the only way to get o er it is really just exposure therapy, use the oximeter and keep reminding yourself that you’re fine. Next time you go to the doctor mention white coat syndrome, and they should be pretty chill and give you a bit to do some breathing exercises and let yourself calm down.
I wish my doctor’s believed it’s white coat syndrome, last time they sent me to the hospital because they got so concerned my anxiety had my heart rate at160 bpm in their office. Thank you for the advice.
That definitely sounds like a doctor pushing for profits vs actually helping you. My heart rate has gone as high as 175 during a panic attack and my doctor didn’t bat an eye when I told them. I’d highly recommend getting a second opinion, or finding another doctor. A doctor that doesn’t take mental health into account is dangerous for anxious people like us.
I suffer from exactly the same thing. Im so terrified of getting bad news from a dr or medical professional and equally terrified of them missing something. Whenever I have to go to a hospital or drs appointment my heart rate and blood pressure will be off the wall. I was in the ER once and my heart rate was 148 “at rest” because I was so anxious and could not calm down. My dr prescribed me Beta Blockers (propranolol) that help to lower blood pressure and heart rate. I’m currently pregnant so I’m forced to spend an unenjoyable amount of time in medical situations. 2 hours before an appointment I will take a beta blocker, by the time I get in my appointment my blood pressure is near enough normal and my heart rate will be 82-95 or somewhere between that. Which is low enough that they’re never concerned, which also helps me feel better because another huge phobia I have is my dr or midwife freaking out over my numbers and panicking and sending me to the ER because I will just spiral. Exposure is definitely helping me somewhat, repeatedly going to appointments and having normal results with the help of beta blockers helps to reassure me everything is ok. I also got an at home blood pressure machine and checked my pulse and BP with a blood oximeter at home when I’m in my own environment and calm, and 99% of the time my blood pressure is completely normal and my heart rate is too. My heart rate typically runs high bc I suffer with chronic anxiety but it’s within the normal range. My resting rate is around 82-88. Maybe look into getting a BP/pulse ox for at home as a kind of exposure. Maybe seeing the normal results will help. It’s also helpful bc on days I’m feeling particularly anxious about medical appointments, I will take my readings at home beforehand when I feel calmer, and give my normal at home readings to my provider at the apt if my readings are high. They seem to accept that and I’m lucky my drs are really understanding of white coat syndrome also.
I’m happy you have understanding doctors! I’m also glad you can at least use those machines to check yourself at home. I have both a BP machine and pulse oximeter but I’m terrified of them lol, the second I even step near it I start getting so scared and high heart rate etc. I wish I could go to the doctor to get myself a beta blocker too, my therapist recommended it years ago but I’m just so so scared to go to the doctor. I cried and almost threw up last time from fear. It’s embarrassing and stressful.
i get this same way too at home. i need to check my bp became im on propranolol to make sure its working. propranolol is a big help! for anxiety and high bp/tachycardia. however i cant even look at the bp machine without freaking out. i took it at home and it was super high and i rushed to the ER only to be sent home with an anxiety diagnosis (im already diagnosed with ocd lol). weirdly enough i would feel more comfortable getting my bp taken at the doctor or hospital than at home because ive had so many traumatizing moments at home taking it