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[Turtle 59]

Hi, is there anyone out there who hates the blood pressure monitor. I have to monitor my blood pressure before I visit the doctor but I am having real problems. I seem to have a phobia with the machine. If my first reading is reasonable I seem to be OK. But if the first reading is high then I get into a Catch 22 situation, I just can't seem to relax to get my pressure down it just keeps increasing. Then it just plays on my mind all day and night. I can't seem to take the positive of some days having good readings I just play on the negatives.
Can anyone one help/advise.
This is just ridiculous. I take no medication. Thanks

[CLKD]

Buy your own machine.  My husband, a calmer person you are unlikely to meet, has White Coat Syndrome.  Our GP advised many years ago that we buy a machine from Boots, take his BP at the same time each morning B4 eating and jot down the results.

Job done.  Why do you feel that you need 2 measure?  I too won't attempt the 1 in the surgery 'cos people are watching 

[Ayesha]

Goodness you have just described me and the dreaded monitor that we have, I go into complete meltdown just looking at the dreaded thing.
It's totally irrational but it seems anxiety just gets out of control when it wants to, I don't know what the answer is, I wish I did!

[Turtle 59]

Hi CLKD, like you I have my own machine. No way would I do it at the surgery, it would be sky high. Due to it being bsky high when I visited the doctor for a Well Woman check, she has asked me to monitor it at home. Take readings twice a day, three readings each time and take an average. And when I mean it was sky high in the doctor's it was. Think I suffer as your husband does but then get anxious if the reading isn't low so work myself up more.

[Songbird]

Hi Turtle 59. I know exactly what you mean. I am the same. Going for my annual HRT check has sent me into near meltdown so I send readings in from home. I keep clear of my own BP monitor (don’t think about it at all) until it’s time for my review. I will “prepare” by listening to a relaxation session on YouTube (specifically related to lowering BP). I’ll take 3 readings twice a day for 3 days, submitting the lowest reading each time. I’ll also tell myself that it’s no problem if my GP decides to put me on a low dose BP med (as I know I’ll still be able to get my HRT). The problem I had, initially, was that I thought they would drop the HRT if I developed hypertension. This is not the case so, for me, I’m a bit more relaxed about it.
One final thing (and this isn’t for everyone!) if I feel I am suffering from a hike in BP, I take a glass of beetroot juice for 3 days on the trot! It’s rotten  but, for me, it feels as if my BP has dropped again..
Try not to get yourself in knots about doing the reading - distract yourself and avoid the temptation to keep taking it! That’s never a good thing.. 

[CLKD]

Best of 3 at the same time of day.  You haven't had symptoms yet so there probably isn't much amiss ;-).

[Tinkerbell]

I always have White Coat Syndrome at GP but recently developed it with my home monitor   Solved it by practicing slow breathing and calm thoughts, took a lot of practice! Also took BP several times each day, didn't pay a lot of attention to readings and over a week they came down. I now leave BP monitor out in view and hoping it becomes my friend

[CLKD]

You worry!  Sometimes I don't register on ours   

[Turtle 59]

Songbird, can you let me know what you listen to on YouTube please.
Thanks 

[Songbird]

In YouTube, Type in “hypertension and hypnosis close your eyes”. It lasts about 25 minutes. 

[Turtle 59]

Thanks