Went to the Doctor Today and... (VENT)

[Chattyaholic]

I had hoped to get off some of my medications (was last there in December) but no, she added more!! Upped my glucophage (diabetes) from 500mg per day to 1000 (and the numbers haven't changed since December, so I don't see why she should up the dosage now). Plus she put me on another blood pressure pill. I already take hydrochlorothiazide and now she wants me to take another one too, just because my blood pressure is high when I go to the doctor. I take it here at home (with an automatic monitor) and it's fine, last night it was 109/81. They say I have what is called the "white coat syndrome" in that I get nervous and anxious when I go to the doctor, so my blood pressure rises. It's FINE the rest of the time on what I'm taking, so I don't see WHY she feels the need for me to take MORE!!! Argh!!! And I want OFF the Coumadin but she says I need to take it until September, I'm getting so tired of the monthly blood work for that at the lab. These prescriptions (and doctor/lab visits) are draining my funds dry. Our insurance doesn't pay....and today's doctor visit (she was in the room 15 minutes) was $96!! Gulp!! I'm getting sick and tired of it!!!

Thanks for letting me grumble...

 

[meandtheguys]

I am sooo sorry that you have to deal with this! My DH has white coat syndorme too. We finally started keeping detailed charts of sugar lavels as well as BP and were able to decrease some of his meds. It was really hard to convince our doc, though. And we really usually like him!

Best wishes for a tough day!

Michelle

 

[Pooh67_68]

I also have the White Coat Syndorme and my family doctor gave me a prescription to take half of a blood pressure pill only when I have a doctor appiontment.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

 

[Disney Doll]

I have several suggestions for you:
1. Keep detailed records of your blood sugars, including times, dates, and whether they were fasting or not
2. Make sure you calibrate your electronic BP cuff. If they are not calibrated regularly, the reading can be incorrect.
3. Once you are sure your electronic BP cuff is calibrated corrcetly and functioning properly, keep detailed records of your BPs, including date, time, and activity/stressors that might be affecting it.

Keep in mind that the MD only sees what they seein the few minutes you are with them. If they have concrete information to go on, and not just you saying "I have white coat syndrome" then you stand a better chance of having them change meds etc.

Also, just because your blood sugar is the same as last time doesn't mean it's great. It just means it hasn't changed. They have just changed the parameters for blood sugar, so your doctor may be shooting for those.

 

[Snowysmom]

I also have white coat hypertension. My gyn learned to take my blood pressure after the exam, just before I left. One time he took it first as usual and then took it just before I left, after the exam. My BP was down the second time. I can even feel my BP go up as I get closer to the doctor's office. I really don't like going to the doctor. As a child I had a doctor who always made fun of me for being heavy and told my mother to do that too. As a consequence, I dislike seeing doctors and have white coat hypertension.