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Can i improve my therapy beyond this point?
#11
RE: Can i improve my therapy beyond this point?
Health anxiety is very problematic for those of us with hypertension.

 I too have to take my BP readings 3 or 4 times in a row at home sometimes because the mere thought of taking my blood pressure completely freaks me out and I come close to having a panic attack which really doesn't help my blood pressure one little bit.

For a while I was like that about looking at my AHI readings and Sleepyhead data. I would obsess over it and get very worried about the slightest blip. All of this worrying really robs us of happiness and so I actively refuse now to let health anxiety ruin my life.
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#12
RE: Can i improve my therapy beyond this point?
(09-22-2018, 02:16 PM)Timur Wrote: Health anxiety is very problematic for those of us with hypertension.

 I too have to take my BP readings 3 or 4 times in a row at home sometimes because the mere thought of taking my blood pressure completely freaks me out and I come close to having a panic attack which really doesn't help my blood pressure one little bit.

For a while I was like that about looking at my AHI readings and Sleepyhead data. I would obsess over it and get very worried about the slightest blip. All of this worrying really robs us of happiness and so I actively refuse now to let health anxiety ruin my life.

Well, you hit the nail on the head there. That is exactly how I feel when I take a reading. Which makes it hard to even take them since I worry I am making things worse. 

I have done really well not going crazy on my data. This is my first time looking at the data this close in months. In most cases, I just note the AHI and how I feel, and start the day (a string of curse words follow the rare stressful night that gives me a 2+

That said, I haven't beaten the rest of my anxiety by a long shot. I seriously stress the heart condition, even with the doc telling me not to. It's brutal and depressing..
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#13
RE: Can i improve my therapy beyond this point?
(09-22-2018, 02:52 PM)Madcat207 Wrote:
(09-22-2018, 02:16 PM)Timur Wrote: Health anxiety is very problematic for those of us with hypertension.

 I too have to take my BP readings 3 or 4 times in a row at home sometimes because the mere thought of taking my blood pressure completely freaks me out and I come close to having a panic attack which really doesn't help my blood pressure one little bit.

For a while I was like that about looking at my AHI readings and Sleepyhead data. I would obsess over it and get very worried about the slightest blip. All of this worrying really robs us of happiness and so I actively refuse now to let health anxiety ruin my life.

Well, you hit the nail on the head there. That is exactly how I feel when I take a reading. Which makes it hard to even take them since I worry I am making things worse. 

I have done really well not going crazy on my data. This is my first time looking at the data this close in months. In most cases, I just note the AHI and how I feel, and start the day (a string of curse words follow the rare stressful night that gives me a 2+

That said, I haven't beaten the rest of my anxiety by a long shot. I seriously stress the heart condition, even with the doc telling me not to. It's brutal and depressing..

 Hello Madcat207

Anxiety can be a catch 22 type situation. I have high blood pressure off and on and have been monitoring my self at home with an Omron too. My daughter suffers from anxiety and on the whole is calm at home but on being asked to take a reading, her pressure spiked visibly and her heart was visibly thumping. Just the very act of testing and at home!!! 

With high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood glucose recently I have been striving to eat appropriately  as well. All this is worrying but am trying very high to stay positive and keep all stressors at bay.

Your AHI is well treated and I hope that allays your concerns in this area and what with all the measures you have taken towards improving your health in losing that amazing amount of weight and eating healthily will definitely improve your heart health.
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#14
RE: Can i improve my therapy beyond this point?
There is a well-known phenomenon in medicine called 'white coat syndrome'.  Doctors and nurses know that a BP reading is likely to be inflated by at least 10% due to the patient's anxiety over being in the presence of a 'judge'...of health.  This is the same effect, except the judge is now the BP device.
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#15
RE: Can i improve my therapy beyond this point?
(09-23-2018, 05:30 AM)Apnea Infant Wrote:
(09-22-2018, 02:52 PM)Madcat207 Wrote:
(09-22-2018, 02:16 PM)Timur Wrote: Health anxiety is very problematic for those of us with hypertension.

 I too have to take my BP readings 3 or 4 times in a row at home sometimes because the mere thought of taking my blood pressure completely freaks me out and I come close to having a panic attack which really doesn't help my blood pressure one little bit.

For a while I was like that about looking at my AHI readings and Sleepyhead data. I would obsess over it and get very worried about the slightest blip. All of this worrying really robs us of happiness and so I actively refuse now to let health anxiety ruin my life.

Well, you hit the nail on the head there. That is exactly how I feel when I take a reading. Which makes it hard to even take them since I worry I am making things worse. 

I have done really well not going crazy on my data. This is my first time looking at the data this close in months. In most cases, I just note the AHI and how I feel, and start the day (a string of curse words follow the rare stressful night that gives me a 2+

That said, I haven't beaten the rest of my anxiety by a long shot. I seriously stress the heart condition, even with the doc telling me not to. It's brutal and depressing..

 Hello Madcat207

Anxiety can be a catch 22 type situation. I have high blood pressure off and on and have been monitoring my self at home with an Omron too. My daughter suffers from anxiety and on the whole is calm at home but on being asked to take a reading, her pressure spiked visibly and her heart was visibly thumping. Just the very act of testing and at home!!! 

With high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood glucose recently I have been striving to eat appropriately  as well. All this is worrying but am trying very high to stay positive and keep all stressors at bay.

Your AHI is well treated and I hope that allays your concerns in this area and what with all the measures you have taken towards improving your health in losing that amazing amount of weight and eating healthily will definitely improve your heart health.

Definitely a catch 22..and I commiserate with your daughter, as I sound the exact same way taking mine. I would love an optical solution that I could wear, so I don't know when it is being measured and get real readings.. 

In terms of my treatment, I am not sweating it too badly. Last night I had a 1.2 night, and am really disappointed that I had that many (though I think more of them were just distance apneas, not real choking ones). Still, I know most people would kill for that number, so...

(09-23-2018, 09:17 AM)mesenteria Wrote: There is a well-known phenomenon in medicine called 'white coat syndrome'.  Doctors and nurses know that a BP reading is likely to be inflated by at least 10% due to the patient's anxiety over being in the presence of a 'judge'...of health.  This is the same effect, except the judge is now the BP device.

I have even told em I know I have the problem, but they still look at me as if my pressure is always that bad. My anxiety makes it easily 10%... It really sucks..
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