Anti-Depressants

[calgor]

I tried the home BP kit when I first developed the problem 20 years ago. Worked fine at first then I could feel myself starting to get stressed out every time I tried to take it. By the time I was done I was getting readings over 180. That's when I just threw my hands up and said the hell with it. Funny thing was 5 years later I wound up in the ER after getting bit by a dog and BP was 132/73. Go figure. Similarly in recovery following the hernia surgery it was 130/76.

Doctor did suggest the home kit this time as well. I got it and sure enough as soon as I started fooling around with it I could feel myself getting worked up again. I'm trying to figure out some way to use it while doing something else to see if it would take my mind off it. TBD. Right now I'm on 2 meds for it but it really bothers me thinking that maybe the only reason I'm taking it is so I can get thru the next appt. I do agree with your statement about it being no big deal in retrospect. Every time I leave the doc's office I can feel myself deflating.

Regarding what drives my anxiety now it's essentially all centered around what the BP will be every time I go. I'd love to get hypnotized and have it taken but I don't see that happening. I wish I could just get a low dose of something like valium and take it before going for visits, but that apparently requires a psychiatrist these days and I'm not sure I want to get involved with that. My sister's been in therapy for years and gone thru all kinds of shit with the different medicines they've tried on her.