I begin with a 11-12 BPM, but my breathing rate at the end of a session always falls to 4.8. I use Resperate a.m. and p.m. It is an effort to speed up my BPM towards the session's end to achieve the over 5.0 BPM, and besides, the voice is encouraging me to keep with the slower rhythm. What do you recommend?

I've been doing the Resperate for a month and I love it. I do it 5-6 times/week and have been routinely winding up at 4.9bpm with all but the first couple minutes of the session in the TBZ. My problem is that I can't prove the benefit of this biofeedback because I freek out when a blood pressure cuff is attached to my arm. My readings shoot way up because I fear a high reading (...yes I know I'm a head case...) and, sure enough, the reading is high. I'm my own worst enemy. I hate to take more drugs (I take Benicar HCT 40/12.5 now) and would rather less than more.

Dickster, just wanted to say that I feel your pain. I would almost rather give a speech than take my OWN blood pressure, much less have it taken by a doctor. I have not only "White Coat" syndrome but I also have "if any sort of bp cuff comes near me I panic even if I'm alone in the room" syndrome! I envy those who can relax enough at home to get an accurate bp reading! I've been taking my bp daily for about 2 weeks thinking eventually I would get used to it and be calmer, but my pulse always shoots up to over 120 with a corresponding jump in bp, even if I sit still for awhile and let my pulse come down it zooms back up when I put the cuff back on. Very frustrating and although intellectually I know how counter-productive it is, it's hard to argue with that fight-or-flight part of my brain that says "panic first, logic later". Very very occasionally, if my mind is on other things and it suddenly pops into my mind, I can sit down and get a fairly good bp reading, but I have to fool myself by making that decision on the spur of the moment, if I have any time to think about it the hands start shaking and the heart starts beating wildly with adrenaline. ARGH.

The good news is, I think Resperate may eventually help with that. I'm encouraged becauase I"ve been using Resperate for about a week and on about the 3rd day I did manage to get a much lower reading after a session than before, again it was a spur-of-the-moment decision to take my bp just after the Resperate session ended, I was SO HAPPY and actually astounded to see that 20-point drop. 2 days later I got an unusually low reading the day after a session (did not use the Resparate that day yet), EVEN THOUGH I was feeling stressed and anxious when I took my bp, AND even though my heart rate was very high. BP has been up and down since then but I'm hoping that eventually somehow the Resperate will teach my blood vessels not to over-react even if I'm panicked, that would be a dream come true for me!

Hello Diane

It is hard to say whether Resperate is working as I am very much like you. I have my own Bp monitor at home but cannot relax enough to take it properly. I even have my husband sitting next to me to talk to me while I take it. As for the Doctor or nurse taking it at the Surgery I panic like mad. It is comforting to know that there are many people out there with White Coat Syndrome. I will carry on using the Resperate and remember that I am not the only one who panics at the sight of a BP
cuff.

Patrice

Hi Patrice

I know where you're coming from on this. I'vs gone the opposite way. 6 months ago my BP was not too bad and I used to take home readings without a problem. Then it went up and I bought Resperate which I have been using twice a day for 2 months. For the last few weeks I have stopped taking readings as I became so anxious taking them and they have gone up so much. I do feel more relaxed now using Resperate and find it has made me more aware of my breathing throughout the day as well but it would be great just to see those readings coming down.

Jem