11 replies to this topic

[Tony34]

Hi,

I hope that all is well.  I have been a Resperate user since December of 2011.  I started due to higher than normal blood pressure readings after a few hyper intensive visits to the emergency room for another issue.  Since then I have worked with my doctor in monitoring my blood pressure.  However once the other issue was resolved I continued to have abnormal readings due to my fear of taking my blood pressure.  When I initially go to the doctor the pressure would be within the high 130’s and high 80’s sometimes reaching 140 systolic over 90.  Before these events it would be in the 120’s to 131 over 70’s or low 80’s.  My doctor assured me that because of my good health she thought it was mainly my anxiety regarding my health condition, the potential of having high blood pressure and nervousness when I have my blood pressure taken.  Right before getting the resperate I bought an Omron Blood Pressure monitor thinking that it would help that I would be taking my measurements at home.  I became obsessive with taking the readings in searching for the perfect number and ended up stressing myself out more.  My doctor has been great in taking every precautionary step possible from me using a heart monitor to currently using a mild blood pressure medicine.  However I still continue to get very nervous while taking my pressure.  If I see a high number I feel as though something may happen to me.  This is despite being well within my ideal weight (150lbs), following the DASH diet strictly, Yoga, using Resperate and doing regular cardio (as I have always done).   My physicals have been great regarding cholesterol, BMI and other panel measurements, etc.  The Omron would also have very wild swings in measurements prompting me to send it back for technical review.  Due to my anxiety my blood pressure has ranged from 125/64, 115/79, 120/79 up to 140/90 and 147/64.   However there is one constant; and that is my pressure seems to always be around 120/70 when my doctor takes it with her manual machine in her office (before any medication).  The problem is that when I first get to the doctor’s office when the nurse checks you in that reading is always higher than my doctors’ manual monitor. I think that the Resperate has worked very well until I take the blood pressure test.  I use it every morning and night.  I am trying to find a way to relax and conquer my anxiety for taking the blood pressure test.  Can someone help me?

[forum]

It's great that the device is helping you out. I am so happy to hear you are having results with it, and that you are using it twice a day regularly. It is very relaxing to use, so it might be a good idea to use it within an hour prior to the blood pressure test. We have had many users with the same issue as you do a session before leaving to go to the doctor, or even do it in your car in the parking lot of the doctor's office.

[Able2]

Tony34, on Mar 25 2012, 10:21 PM, said:

Hi,

I hope that all is well.  I have been a Resperate user since December of 2011.  I started due to higher than normal blood pressure readings after a few hyper intensive visits to the emergency room for another issue.  Since then I have worked with my doctor in monitoring my blood pressure.  However once the other issue was resolved I continued to have abnormal readings due to my fear of taking my blood pressure.  When I initially go to the doctor the pressure would be within the high 130’s and high 80’s sometimes reaching 140 systolic over 90.  Before these events it would be in the 120’s to 131 over 70’s or low 80’s.  My doctor assured me that because of my good health she thought it was mainly my anxiety regarding my health condition, the potential of having high blood pressure and nervousness when I have my blood pressure taken.  Right before getting the resperate I bought an Omron Blood Pressure monitor thinking that it would help that I would be taking my measurements at home.  I became obsessive with taking the readings in searching for the perfect number and ended up stressing myself out more.  My doctor has been great in taking every precautionary step possible from me using a heart monitor to currently using a mild blood pressure medicine.  However I still continue to get very nervous while taking my pressure.  If I see a high number I feel as though something may happen to me.  This is despite being well within my ideal weight (150lbs), following the DASH diet strictly, Yoga, using Resperate and doing regular cardio (as I have always done).   My physicals have been great regarding cholesterol, BMI and other panel measurements, etc.  The Omron would also have very wild swings in measurements prompting me to send it back for technical review.  Due to my anxiety my blood pressure has ranged from 125/64, 115/79, 120/79 up to 140/90 and 147/64.   However there is one constant; and that is my pressure seems to always be around 120/70 when my doctor takes it with her manual machine in her office (before any medication).  The problem is that when I first get to the doctor’s office when the nurse checks you in that reading is always higher than my doctors’ manual monitor. I think that the Resperate has worked very well until I take the blood pressure test.  I use it every morning and night.  I am trying to find a way to relax and conquer my anxiety for taking the blood pressure test.  Can someone help me?

[Able2]

I wish my readings were as low as yours. Correct me if I'm wrong but arn't your readings in the "normal" range?

[dandee]

Tony34, on Mar 25 2012, 10:21 PM, said:

Hi,

I hope that all is well.  I have been a Resperate user since December of 2011.  I started due to higher than normal blood pressure readings after a few hyper intensive visits to the emergency room for another issue.  Since then I have worked with my doctor in monitoring my blood pressure.  However once the other issue was resolved I continued to have abnormal readings due to my fear of taking my blood pressure.  When I initially go to the doctor the pressure would be within the high 130’s and high 80’s sometimes reaching 140 systolic over 90.  Before these events it would be in the 120’s to 131 over 70’s or low 80’s.  My doctor assured me that because of my good health she thought it was mainly my anxiety regarding my health condition, the potential of having high blood pressure and nervousness when I have my blood pressure taken.  Right before getting the resperate I bought an Omron Blood Pressure monitor thinking that it would help that I would be taking my measurements at home.  I became obsessive with taking the readings in searching for the perfect number and ended up stressing myself out more.  My doctor has been great in taking every precautionary step possible from me using a heart monitor to currently using a mild blood pressure medicine.  However I still continue to get very nervous while taking my pressure.  If I see a high number I feel as though something may happen to me.  This is despite being well within my ideal weight (150lbs), following the DASH diet strictly, Yoga, using Resperate and doing regular cardio (as I have always done).   My physicals have been great regarding cholesterol, BMI and other panel measurements, etc.  The Omron would also have very wild swings in measurements prompting me to send it back for technical review.  Due to my anxiety my blood pressure has ranged from 125/64, 115/79, 120/79 up to 140/90 and 147/64.   However there is one constant; and that is my pressure seems to always be around 120/70 when my doctor takes it with her manual machine in her office (before any medication).  The problem is that when I first get to the doctor’s office when the nurse checks you in that reading is always higher than my doctors’ manual monitor. I think that the Resperate has worked very well until I take the blood pressure test.  I use it every morning and night.  I am trying to find a way to relax and conquer my anxiety for taking the blood pressure test.  Can someone help me?

Hi Tony:

I know exactly what you are going through because I went through the same thing.  Like you I use the Resperate twice a day, watch what I eat and maintain a normal weight, exercise at the gym and my doctor says I am very healthy.   Buying the Resperate was the best thing I ever did for my health since originally my doctor had noticed my blood pressure starting to rise and he started the "talk" about beginning medication.  I did not want to go that route and luckily I discovered the Resperate and have been using it for over three years.

You are what we call an anxious person who was born with a very sensitive nervous system.  I have been involved with a group called Recovery, International (www.recovery-inc.org).  They have meetings in every state and in eight foreign countries.  At these meetings you will learn to relax and not attach danger to the small trivialities that happen to you. No doubt you have been an anxious person for most of your life and at the Recovery meetings, you will learn to think and behave differently and not attach danger to the small upsets of life.  My doctor perfectly understood my problem and he had me take my own blood pressure at home once a week and bring him the results whenever I went in for a physical which is about every four months.  When I take my blood pressure at home it is always normal.  Just don't go overboard and keep taking your blood pressure too often.  If you take it once a week about the same time of the day you will be able to keep a good record for your doctor.  So - don't worry  about it and keep using the Resperate.  Its a wonderful feeling to know that we are helping ourselves without  medication!

[Tony34]

Able2, on Apr 12 2012, 11:30 AM, said:

I wish my readings were as low as yours. Correct me if I'm wrong but arn't your readings in the "normal" range?

Yes most of the time they are especially with my doctor's manual BP monitor.  The last three times I went to the doctor my Blood pressure was first checked by the nurse using the digital monitor where the readings were 145/79 and 146/80 (with digital machine).  I was very nervous.  However when I went to my doctor office and waited on her to come in after about 10 min she checked my BP with the manual monitor.  The readings were 120/79, 126/80 and and 128/84.  I started to take a mild blood (hydro) medicine because my doctor saw that anxiety was my biggest problem and she wanted to show precaution because of the swings in BP readings I was getting at home with my digital monitor.  She wants it to be temporary.

I am really confused.  My weight is now down to my ideal target for my height (5 '7) 150lbs and I follow the DASH diet and run on the treadmill six days a week.  I also do Yoga on the weekend and started to meditate every day.  

I got 120/79 before the medication on the manual machine.  

Please give me some advice.  Should I not worry.  My doctor says I am to focused on a number when BP fluctuates all day.

[Tony34]

Thanks, so much.  I am going to check out the group.  It will be very helpful.

dandee, on Apr 12 2012, 03:54 PM, said:

Hi Tony:

I know exactly what you are going through because I went through the same thing.  Like you I use the Resperate twice a day, watch what I eat and maintain a normal weight, exercise at the gym and my doctor says I am very healthy.   Buying the Resperate was the best thing I ever did for my health since originally my doctor had noticed my blood pressure starting to rise and he started the "talk" about beginning medication.  I did not want to go that route and luckily I discovered the Resperate and have been using it for over three years.

You are what we call an anxious person who was born with a very sensitive nervous system.  I have been involved with a group called Recovery, International (www.recovery-inc.org).  They have meetings in every state and in eight foreign countries.  At these meetings you will learn to relax and not attach danger to the small trivialities that happen to you. No doubt you have been an anxious person for most of your life and at the Recovery meetings, you will learn to think and behave differently and not attach danger to the small upsets of life.  My doctor perfectly understood my problem and he had me take my own blood pressure at home once a week and bring him the results whenever I went in for a physical which is about every four months.  When I take my blood pressure at home it is always normal.  Just don't go overboard and keep taking your blood pressure too often.  If you take it once a week about the same time of the day you will be able to keep a good record for your doctor.  So - don't worry  about it and keep using the Resperate.  Its a wonderful feeling to know that we are helping ourselves without  medication!

[JACS]

Able2, on Apr 12 2012, 04:30 PM, said:

I wish my readings were as low as yours. Correct me if I'm wrong but arn't your readings in the "normal" range?

I agree, and I wish my readings were that low too.
Maybe the guidelines have changed now, but I have always understood that the "cut-off point" for high blood pressure is 140/90, with treatment being offered if it is sustained at this level or above when several readings are taken on different occasions over a period of time.

[JACS]

I also meant to say that my blood pressure readings became much higher after my doctor changed to using a digital machine after previously having always taken blood pressure measurements manually.
At home I have a digital machine and my readings are not as high on that as those taken on my doctor's digital machine.  I definitely do get the white coat syndrome, but when my doctor used to take my blood pressure manually it seemed to be closer to my home readings than it is on the digital machine she uses now.

[Angel]

JACS, on May 8 2012, 07:30 AM, said:

I also meant to say that my blood pressure readings became much higher after my doctor changed to using a digital machine after previously having always taken blood pressure measurements manually.
At home I have a digital machine and my readings are not as high on that as those taken on my doctor's digital machine.  I definitely do get the white coat syndrome, but when my doctor used to take my blood pressure manually it seemed to be closer to my home readings than it is on the digital machine she uses now.

Hi Tony, I was the White Coat Anxiety Queen. Resperate did help, but ultimately I found that a change in diet is what did the trick: bringing it all together.

Lowering BP and staying healthy takes a bunch of small steps, which include resperate (or yogic breathing for those who prefer that), exercise, proper weight and nutrition. I'm sure there are others, but those are some.

Most people here do eat "well", do use the resperate and exercise. Their BP should be brilliant! By accident I discovered that totally eschewing flour/grains/gluten/pizza/pasta/cookies/corn chips (I'm listing them all so there's no misunderstanding!), healthy whole grain muffins/ whole wheat bread/croissants/cheese crackers and otherwise eating Paleo style caused my BP to simply drop and stabilize at a healthy level. How's 110/70 at the doc's office with the doc, a cardiologist, taking the reading?

I used to be terrified of going to the doc: stick me with needles, but the minute that BP machine came out I was white with panic.

Oddly, a doc visit coincided with a couple of months into my new diet. I really, really was not expecting such fantastic news.

Do your resperate/exercises... but do look at the effects of white sugars & starches on your health. The internet is now filled with info.

Good luck!

[elainemarie]

I also have the white coat syndrome even with myself!  I am completely anxiety-ridden at taking my blood pressure to the point that it causes me anxiety even when I don't take it, wondering what it might be.  I had a few bad experiences with it going as high as the low 160s a few times.  I saw a difference with Resperate after about eight weeks.  I kept a daily record and although the record was very good when I ended it in November (119/79), I still had a few horrible 160 /150/ 140 days during that time.  After the record keeping, I stopped and took it twice since then.  Last time I took it, it was 128/88.  I should relax and know that all is well, but the fear of the lack of consistency has me crazy. And the fear of the doctor taking it is crippling.  Just posting this for any advice from others that may be just as neurotic as I am.

[dandee]

Dear Newbie:

As I wrote to the first "newbie"  stop blaming yourself for being born with a sensitive nervous system.  Many of us were and we tend to get ourselves worked up over everything.    First of all, you should pat yourself on the back for starting with Resperate and putting yourself in charge of your health.  Many of us are what you would call "nervous types" and, until I found the Recovery International program, I was convinced that I would be this way all my life.  Check out the following website:  www.lowselfhelpsystems.org.  Because of this Recovery Program, I feel much more relaxed and have learned that my mental health is my supreme goal.  There are meetings in every state and seven foreign countries and they even have telephone meetings for those who cannot leave their home.  I have managed to keep my blood pressure normal by using the Resperate device for well over four years and I plan on using it the rest of my life.  Truth be told, if I wasn't using it to lower my blood pressure, I would be using it to calm  myself down.  I can't wait some days to just attach my Resperate and veg out.  I love it!!!