White Coat Syndrome

Why is it that when I am going to the doctor and I know that my blood pressure will be checked, I panic and the BP shoots up?

It doesn't happen ALL of the time, just when I have a lot of stress or I am afraid that something is wrong.

Then the tension sets in and I am a lost cause.

A few weeks ago I went to see the cardiologist.  It was an appointment that had to be postponed several times due to Mom's death, then the multiple trips to Ohio.  Nothing seemed to work out in scheduling.

As we were driving down 39 to Delphi that morning, I could feel myself tense.  I was beginning to panic.

Why?  I was afraid I would need to have an EKG.  Silly, I know, because I have had numerous EKGs and I have survived all of them with no problem.  Just the idea of the pads and the wires and relaxing and hearing the sound and pulling off the pads again...ugh.

Then the worst thing is that I was afraid he would ask for another echocardiogram.  I have had two of those and I hated each one.  They were long, uncomfortable, awkward, difficult....I just hated them.  I haven't had one for a while, so I was scared that he would say another one was needed.

There was also the exhaustion from cleaning out Mom's house, making the trips back and forth, and being at home but not really being here at home plus the worry about the auctionl

So on the drive there, I felt myself not only become tense, but my chest began to hurt.  Now what was I to do?

On the drive to the hospital where Dr. O's office is located there was road construction, so I needed to take a cut through the country.  It was fine, but panic set in because I was afraid I would be late.

I wasn't.  But I was nervous as I checked in, nervous as I sat in the waiting room, nervous when I talked to the nurse, even more nervous when I stepped on the scales, and finally out of sight nervous to the point of bursting into tears when that BP cuff made its way onto my arm.

155/100   Too high.

Back to the doctor's office I go tomorrow morning.  An appointment with the nurse for a BP check.

I am trying to remain calm.  The peace of mind I have felt the last two days should indicate that my BP will be in the normal range, right?

But I am starting to panic, starting to be scared.   What if it is still high?  What if I need to take more medication?  What will I do?

Oh my...calm down.  It will be fine.  Just imagine that going to Dr. Page's office where no BP is ever taken. Relax. It will be fine....repeat.  Repeat... Repeat....