OK, everyone, I have a question. How in the world can I relax enough to keep my blood pressure lower like it is at home when I am at the doctors office????

I went in today because I have a very bad bladder infection (blood in urine, painful etc.) Anyway, at my OB appointment in April, my BP was 130/78 (which is good for me when I am in the doctor's office) At home it is always around 118/75 or something. Anyway, when I went in today, it was 150/100. I have never had that high blood pressure before. I was really sick, feeling lots of pain and just plain uncomfortable so that could have been a lot of it. The doctor took it again and it was 144/90 after I sat for awhile. That was still very high for me.

Anyway, how do you relax? I try the deep breathing but maybe today I was just to sick to care. I hurt pretty bad. The reason I am concerned is I don't want to go on any medication if my pressure is more towards normal. Know what I mean? But if I go in and can't relax and they keep getting higher numbers, he might put me on meds. Then I would end up sleeping all the time or having really low blood pressure. The doctor just told me to keep an eye on it and wasn't to worried at this point but now I will have to worry about going in again and wondering if it really is high or if it is just stress. I guess I wouldn't be so worried if I did take it at home and it was higher but it isn't. It is normal to low.


(My blood pressure machine at home is a very good one and has been checked out so it is accurate when I take it at home.)

Very confused,
Mopsy

First and foremost, what did you doctor say about it...

Second, I have had the same thing too.... Mine was like 154/80, but I have had it as low as 100/64 at home, go figure....

Third, I do know for a fact, two things. 1) Pain will increase your BP 2) Infection will also increase your BP...

I would go off what ever your doctor said...

And I wish I knew how to lower it at the dr's office, cuz I have the same problem.... There are also alot of things out there naturally that can help w/BP, Omega 3's, Co-Q10, and believe it or not, natural dark chocolate (yea how good is that). It can't be any ole chocolate bar you can buy at any store, full of junk, it has to be good dark chocolate and NOT milk chocolate..... I actually eat 70% organic dark Chocolate, OMGish it is soo good, my little daily indulgence, and oh how I love it.... Funny never been a big chocolate person until peri.... But seriously, dark chocolate is full of antioxidants, and some other great stuff, who knew... LOL Perhaps try that, and of course, hear what your doctor has to say as well....

PS if they put you on antibiotics, that will mess w/your bp too. You also may want to a probiotic after the antibiotics, so it can help regulate your digestive system.... Just my opinion....

Good luck, and most imporantly of all, have Faith and Pray.... Send some to ya now...

Thanks Becca233,

My doc told me to just watch my pressure for now. I have had good numbers too while at the doctor's office but now it just seems like I get really stressed and I know there really isn't any reason for it. Hence, the concern of always having higher blood pressure when you really don't.

The thing is, if I do have high blood pressure, I want to be on something but if I don't, I don't.

What is Co-Q10?

I do eat a small square of really dark chocolate every day. It is my one pleasure in life.

Thank you for your rapid response and thank you for the prayers.

Hugs
Mopsy

Mopsy,

I would not let my doctor put me on meds for high blood pressure, even though he wanted to for the same reason as you! At the doctors office my BP got really high, whereas at home it was perfectly normal. He did agree to put a 24 hour BP monitor on me, and it did go pretty high a couple of times...but both times in direct response to a stessful situation.

I kept a log of my BP, over several weeks, and showed my doctor. Once he saw my log he never tried to push the BP meds on me again. So perhaps you should take your BP at home for a few weeks, and the doctor can see how situational the episodes of high BP really are.

Floater:

Good idea. I will take some readings for a few weeks. How many times did you do a reading? Every few days? I did take it yesterday and it was 110/60. I just can't figure out why it was so high at the doctor's office.

I am like you and won't go on meds if my pressure is normal most of the time. If it was high all the time, then I would go on meds but could you see me on medicine when my pressure can be so low now??? I wonder what it would do to you.

Thanks for everyone's comments.

Mopsy

Mopsy (such a cute name!!)

If you (or I) were to go on those BP meds, I think we would be exhausted, lightheaded and might pass out a lot!! I took mine twice a day, just at random times, but always after sitting quietly for 5 minutes first. The highest mine has been...at home...was 127/84, and that was a high reading (for home). Usually it is more like what yours was, even lower like 106/65. Ya, we don't need meds!! Maybe we need to learn yoga or something!! LOL!!

Hi Floater:

Thanks. I do yoga twice a week but haven't done any this week since we were on vacation (just stayed home-but was fun) I will do what you did and take my pressure a few times a day for a week.

I remember reading something that said having your blood pressure taken once a year at the doctors office. How can you get a good estimate on that? Can you imagine having it taken only once a year at the doctors office and it is high? You would have no idea if it was the case all the time or not. Then the doctor would slap you on meds when you might not need it. I know my doc is pretty good about it. He told me just to watch it for now but he was concerned.

Thanks for being there Floater. I get so nervous about going on meds. If my pressure does stay high, I want to be on them as I don't want a stroke but I have been on different meds in the past and I have some bad reactions to a lot of them. So, I have a feeling, blood pressure meds would be a challenge for me to find something that works.

Take care
Mopsy (Mopsy is my cats name. )

Hi Mopsy,

Truly I really would not give yourself one more thing to worry about with this. It is a very common phenomena for the BP to shoot up while in the doctors office "white coat fever". Also the fact that you were in pain...that also shoots it up. Mine has fluctuated wildly on many occasions.....I had the luck (or not) of working in a hospital environment so constant access to the BP cuffs etc. When I would start to feel a little off the cuff would get slapped on. I could swing from 140/96 to 120/70 within seconds depending on the situation at the time. If your normal BP is fine then please just relax. If you were to walk around hooked up to the BP cuff all day....what you would see may shock you. And strangely it is perfectly normal.

Hey just saw your question, whoops...

Co-Q10 is a supplement, research shows that it is really good for the heart and blood pressue, as well as Omega 3's.... More and more doctors are actually recommending it to their patients, which say something.....

PS - NEVER use a blood pressure machine like at publix or walgreens, those things are so out of whack. Just a little heads-up, I did that one day, and I about panic when it came back like 140/90, and that's not fun...

Thanks for the info on Co-Q10. I have never heard of that.

I have my own BP machine that is top of the line. I paid through the nose for it and it works just like my doctors. I know what you mean about those at Walgreens machines as they always seem to give off readings. Maybe those machines are built by big pharma's and have higher readings to get you all upset, thus, more people on drugs, more money in their pocket. OK, to much??

Mopsy

No not too much, heck would surprise for a minute.... Speaking of which, don't about where you live, but down here, OMGish every commerical is some dramatic commerical, ah well I had a heartache, or I have this or I have that, and then big ole commerical about some pill.... The thing that I always laugh at is that 80% of commerical time is to list all of horrible side effects..... Let's I want to have better sex, but hey I might have liver failure.... wow.... I think it is horrible that these drug manufactors are allowed to do that, I really do... (ok I will get of my soap box....)

And yes, heard nothing but good things about co-q10, not real expensive either....

Yep, we get all those horrible commercials too. I live in WI. I just don't think that drug companies should be able to advertise like this. It should be up to the doctors to prescribe you the right meds not having you go in and say You want this or that. Heck, my hubby said maybe the doctor's office BP machines are fixed to give a higher reading. OK, I know that is to much but sometimes I don't think anything would surprise me anymore. BUT, while I was waiting at the doctor's office (about 30 minutes) we saw FOUR drug reps coming in with all their samples. They remind me of used cars sales man.

By the way, I just took my bp after exercising and it was 124/77 so that is really good.

Mopsy

That is a VERY good reading Mopsy!! I am sure you don't need the meds!! And C0Q10 is a good supplement, and IF you are on a statin it is IMPERATIVE to take it as the statins use up your Q10. Which reminds me, I gotta quit forgetting to take mine!! Man I am terrible at taking pills!! I forget the statins too, so I guess it all works out.

I had a doctor tell me once that he could make anybody's blood pressure go up, all he had to do was WALK IN THE ROOM!!! haha!! Ya, the White Coat Syndrome is VERY common.

It sounds like all is well with your BP, and you can relax and not worry anymore. But do keep taking it for awhile, keep that log. After my doctor saw mine, he was like...Oh, you are fine. And that was the end of the discussion about BP meds.

Hi Floater:

I will keep track of my BP for a few weeks. I did that in the past and it was always good. I did get a few higher readings (138)/84) but only 2 times. This was a few years ago. Most of the time it was 116/70.

I am not on any meds at this point except for my over the counter progest cream. I will check into the C0Q10. I have a great health food store in my town.

Did your doctor get all worried if the readings at home were accurate? Mine kind of was and here I had my machine checked out. Maybe I will do that again. I always find it interesting that my BP is great at my OB appointment but really high at my regular doctor's appointments. I wonder what is up with that.

I will try and relax and I will until I have to go into the doctors office and then I don't. I know it is so stupid as I understand being nervous and upset will cause the reading to be higher so why do that to one self. Sigh, strange how the mind is.

Thanks Floater

Mopsy

Also I don't know if you are already taking, but if you get the CoQ10, also get Omega 3's... Helps along the same line, and there is also research that says Omega 3's help w/mood. You would have to eat alot of fish to get enough of the Omega 3's that our bodies need, so supplements are great.

Also, I just wanted to add, when you got to the health store, check the labels. Try to stay away from magneisum sterate (sp); this is one of the "inactive" ingredients, research now shows that ain't so great. Many manufactors are staying away from that, which is good. You may pay a $ or 2 more, but it will be a lot better product. Heck my acupuncturist told me to take 3 grams per day, that 3 x's a day... Helps regulate bp, and is good for the heart, amoung many other things...

Also great on your BP. Funny you should bring up the OB visit, yea come to think of it, mine is always fine there too. I remember the last time I was the GYN, she took my pressure, and I said to her I know it's high, she no is perfect actually.... Forgot the actual reading, but I told her that's funny cuz it is ALWAYS high at the Dr's office.... hmmmmm

And oh yea, drug reps are like the worst. I don't know how some of these companies can live w/what they do, and the FDA is so far up their you know what, it really get's to me.... Then the FDA wants to come against vitamin manufactors, you know why, cuz the big ole drug companies can't get their take.... What pill was it, I forgot, but at anyrate, the manufactor and the FDA KNEW it was dangerous, but yet the left it on the market for a long time; then they finally came out about the dangers of the drug.... Yea, right, they have our best interest, not, there only interest is the almight dollar... (sorry I will get off my soap box, but some things that make you go )

Hey,

I did forget to mention I am on different supplements and one is Omega 3. I should take it more then as I only take it twice a day. Thanks for the info. I will check the labels too. Is the magnesium sterate in the fish or the CoQ10?

Isn't that odd that our BP is fine at the OB's office. mmmmm it makes you wonder if we are worried about our regular docs wanting to slap some meds on us. I just get mad as some doctors are like that and just want to give you pills. Mine is so/so. I would go to another doctor but I am stuck with him (HMO) We do have a really good doctor in our HMO group but he is not accepting any new patients so I get stuck with this guy. Don't get me wrong, he is OK but before I had to go to the HMO, I had a wonderful doctor that was smart as a whip and listened etc. sigh. Back in the good old days when things were a lot different.

And yes, I agree with you on all the drug reps, FDA etc. I have heard of the drug companies wanting to take over the vitamin companies but I don't think they will. The Vitamin companies are pretty powerful in their own right. Let's hope anyway and don't end up getting paid off.

Mopsy

((((((((((((mopsy))))))))))))))

I wish I knew some good advice for you but all I can offer is hugs.

Jeaninne

Wow, I took my BP last night, get this.... 117/64 pulse 77... That was on the 1st try!!! I haven't had that kind of pressure since my early 30's. So something is working... It was too funny, cuz I am sitting letting the cuff fill up, and you know how it will stop for a second, then fill some more. Well it stopped, and it didn't fill any more, it actually started counting down, and I was like wow... I had to take it again, cuz I was so happy, and it was 115/64 pulse 80. All I can say is that made my night, for sure....

I still say when I went into that dr's the one time, and it was high, was surely due to the infection I had at the time, and of course anxiety.... But something is surely helping, cuz having my top number at that rate has been a long long time.... I am actually pretty impressed w/my pulse rate too, for me that is good. My goal is 75-70, so looks like some more walking is in store for me....

That is great Becca233. I know I get readings like that at home too. That is why it baffled me so much when I went into the doctor's office and it was so high.

Do you think it is the C0Q10 that is helping? What are the ingredients of the pill do you know?

Mopsy

OK, get this. I was doing my BP today to keep a record. I was nervous so now I am going to be nervous at home? Go figure. Anyway, I took it and it was 137/78 on my right arm. So, I figured I would try my left arm and see if it was the same. Nope, it was 109/68. Crazy. Wouldn't you think it would be about the same? If the first reading was because I was nervous, then I better have my doc do it a few times. Thanks for letting me vent and put up with me everyone. It helps to talk about it and I know it is all in my tiny brain but heck, my anxiety has been up since my Mum has been ill so I suppose everything is amplified.

Mopsy

I had high BP in the doctor's office too (just my GP though, in my gyno's office it is always normal I think because I am very comfortable there). Anyway, I got a BP machine and started taking it at home a couple times a day for several weeks and keeping a log. I brought the log and my machine to the next appt. The doc say the normal readings in my log and then had me take my BP with my machine and then he did it, the readings were similarly high. So we chalked it up to "White Coat Syndrome". I would think if your BP is always good at home, then you are probably just fine ;-)

I always take mine of the left arm, the one closest to the heart. And yes, you will get two different readings from each arm.... I will have to double check, (but w/hormonal brain anytime I question myself I forget...LOL), but I think it is usually taken from the left....

No you are not crazy... Took my kid to Bass Pro Shops today, and for some reason out of no where, that freaking sense of panic, and the first thing that ran thru my mind, what if it's my heart.... I had to take some deep breathes, and keep smiling, and finally went away.... Go figure....

OK, interesting. I think I remember reading about that once about taking your BP on your left arm. My doctor took it on my right arm as the blood pressure machine was on that side.

Thanks for all your insight on BP.

Mopsy

Okay I saw this again today, and still I started quessing myself... So I looked it up... I found this article that not only says that it should be your left arm, but did you know that your pressure is usually higher with your dominant hand. In other words, if you are right handed, your pressure is usually higher on that hand... That's pretty interesting to say the least.... things that make you go hmmm, you would think at the least you doctor would then checked your other arm....

That is interesting. I know my doctor just squeezed me in that day so probably did not have time to take it on both arms. I know when I go for my exam, I will ask him to take it from my left arm and see the reading. Hopefully the anxiety won't be through the roof.

I will also take it first on my left arm since I am right handed.

Thanks for that tip.

Mopsy

Hi, Mopsy...I have White Coat Syndrome, too! When I am at my dr's office for my yearly exam, 9 times out of 10, my bp is high. I had to get a home monitor to take readings cause it was so high at the doctor's office. Normally my readings avg about 115/75 which is great. When I have peri symptoms or hot flashes, it shoots up until it subsides. A part of me feels like the peri symptoms including anxiety definitely contributes to the elevated readings. Like you, I hate being put on any sort of meds for as long as I can. Being 44, soon to be 45...I want to stay as healthy as I can for as long as I can. My mom has bp so I know I may get it if I'm not careful. I need to lose about 35-40 lbs, exercise and eat right. But aside from that, being nervous during the readings at the dr's office does not help. Meditation and Relaxation techniques definitely help, as well as getting a full night's sleep and staying hydrated. I recently experienced about a week of dizziness and my bp was very high. Turned out to be vertigo/dizziness due to peri. When I am not experiencing symps and eating/sleeping right, my bp readings are awesome. Hope you are feeling better.

My dear 'Camjay'
I suffer from the same Syndrome and my Doctor realizes that now. too
He also knows about the anxiety and stress in my life so encourages to continue my Yoga and walking and take a small dose of Xanax if needed.
It is amazing how easily I can sense when it is needed as actually feel my stomach clench followed by a strange clamping feeling around my head.
Of course I do keep a regular check on my BP.

Nice talking with you.
All the best
Elizabeth
P.S. The Psychiatrist,who gives me my Xanax script is the one who makes me feel the most anxious!
Strange but true.He is a nice man but feel I have to measure every word in order not to be over analysed

Thanks for your insight Camjay and Elizabeth. I find it interesting that so many of us have white coat. I remember 10 years ago I never ever worried about my BP. I would go in and it was good. I think my white coat started when I had high BP one time at the office because i was on some sort of migraine med. The nurse just freaked out as on my chart was low readings (112/74 etc) I mean, she really scared me. So, after that, I have been scared. I know it is stupid to be like that but everyone here knows about how these peri symptoms can wreck your nerves and rational feelings. I also think I am going to have my doc take my pressure from now on. The nurses at my HMO are just bad and I don't need that. I need someone calm like my doctor.

Mopsy

I've got one for ya.......having my blood pressure taken makes my blood pressure go up.....just the sight of the cuff makes my blood pressure go up...as a matter of fact, just walking into the doctor's office makes me blood pressure go up...thinking about having my blood pressure taken before I even head out for the doctor's office makes my blood pressure go up..
in other words..I've got a real problem with having my blood pressure taken....I am considering going to a shrink now..maybe one can be hypnotized to be calm in the doctor's office...

I love these forums cause it makes me feel like I'm not crazy, like others have the same problems. I am 49 and went yesterday for my yearly gyno appt. I almost fell off the chair when the nurse asked if I was on blood pressure medicine. I had NEVER had a high reading ever but my pressure was 160/80 in my left arm and then she took the right and it was 170/90. I was totally freaked out. So of course my gyno told me to see my regular doctor. But a strange thing happened when I got home. My face felt warm and I started getting chills and headache so I took my temperature and sure enough I had a lowgrade fever which persisted into the next day.

Well the next day I had an appt. with my regular doctor. This was actually my first appt. as I had to switch doctors. Well my pressure came down but still wasn't "good". He wanted to immediately start me on medicines. I was like WHAT! I thought can't we monitor this and see if maybe this was just a fluke due to infection, which he diagnosed me as having a sinus infection. I was just in shock as I had lost a few pounds and I could stand to lose perhaps 20 more but I also started running months ago and felt wonderful. He kind of just shrugged and said, well ya know you're almost fifty and things start to fall apart ya know. I just felt so angry. I got him to agree that I should take antibiotics for my infection and then monitor my own readings for a month and see if they come down, but I have a feeling I should be looking for another doctor. I mean , don't get me wrong, I know if the BP doesnt come down, that I'll have to take medicine, but I mean he didnt even suggest any lifestyle changes such as watching salt intake or anything. I just want medicine to be a last resort.

Thanks for letting me vent and I'm going to look into some natural things such as the CoQ10 you all are talking about.


Sandi

HI Sandi

I would find a new doctor if you can. Meanwhile you should monitor your pressure for a month. I have been doing that and my bp is good. I have been taking it at different times. I decided to take it right away this morning (somehting i haven't done yet) and it was 103/63. I know that was right when I woke up so I heard that is usually your lowest but still, could you imagine me being on bp meds? I know I have taken it during my stressful times (getting supper going) and it is 126/79 so still good.

The ladies on here told me that infection can raise your bp. I am really surprised your doctor didn't want to monitor it for awhile. I think that was rude that your doctor said that since you were almost 50 things start falling apart. That is not always true. Not everyone is the same. That is what makes me mad as that doctors just want to lump us all together.

I hope it works out for you. I am like you and want to be on meds if it is high but at this point, it isn't so I am not going on anything.

Mopsy

Sandi,
Don't you love doctors?! We don't like to think that our doctors just want to give us meds instead of trying to get to the bottom of what is going on but so often it seems like that is what they do. But it is so great that there is
SO much information out there now for all of us so that we can make smarter decisions and choices for ourselves.
And finding this wonderful web site that makes us all feel that we are not alone and provides us with GREAT insight from other women!!
Good Luck with your BP...
Lane

Thanks, guys for your thoughts. I feel better already. I think I should wait a bit until I get rid of this sinus infection but then I shall start monitoring my pressure. I went to the new doctor with an open mind but he just seemed bent on pills. He was like you know there's no stigma about being on medication. That's not the problem. I know I'm almost 50 but I still think that's relatively young nowadays and want to stave off medicines if I can. Of course he took the pressure in my right arm too which was higher at the gyno's. When he took it , it came down to 148/80 which Iknow is still not ideal but I was happy it came down at all, being I felt lousy from the sinuses. That was another thing that made me angry cause I told the nurse I was pretty sure I had a sinus infection as I get them all the time , at least twice a year for the past 20. But she said, well you know you can have a dull headache if your pressure's high. I get these all the time and I know by now how it feels. My teeth even hurt. GRRRRR.

Sorry just had to vent some more. I feel sorry especially for vulnerable older people who just do whatever the doctor says and don't question anything, like he's God or something. I just hope I have a good outcome and he doesn't get to say "I told you so" and I have to be put on medicine. Hopefully I can try to relax and stop thinking so much about this.

Sandi

I hope someone is out there tonight. I am so scared. I am in menopause (58) and I have had high blood pressure for 4 years when I started peri,but it's been controlled and I've been on meds and I know it's because of meno because I never had it before. But two days ago I got broadsided in my new car - they took my BP at the scene and it was 135/100. I was very upset. Later that night, it was 125/90 - the lower number is high for me now. Then I've been ok for a couple days, but I've had neck and shoulder pain - tonight my BP sored to 160/90. I felt it going - got shaky and trembling. I have taken almost a whole Xanex an hour ago, I've walked, laid down and my heart has quit racing but I am still not right. I am fighting the urge to go to the ER. I'm scaring my poor daughter who is home from college for her birthday. I'm fighting the urge to take my BP again - scared it's high still and then I'll get more panicy. Is this a panic attack, high anxiety or what?! I'm ok for a minute then my face burns then I feel pressure on my temples and the front of my head. Then I feel nauseous. I'm trying so hard to focus and not scare my daughter, but I'm trembling inside and keep burping. Help! Anyone got any suggestions or good words. When I started meno, I thought it was heart problems and got a full workup and the doctor said that I was fine and it was hormones and high BP from my mother's side. So I assume my heart is still fine. It's been 3 1/2 years since I've had a full blown anxiety attack that landed me in the ER. I've gone 3 times to the ER and all 3 were just anxiety and by the 3rd time, you feel like a fool, but I really want to go again. I'm afraid something happened in the accident, but I really didn't get hurt - I don't think. I also know that they say anxiety and panic hit after everything is over and it's when you least expect it. I'll be on for awhile - I hope someone is out there that's been through this.
Bless you,
KGBell

Well, after I made the last post, I decided to look up neck injuries and blood pressure since I had just been in the car accident and it turns out many people have problems with their blood pressure spiking after a car accident especially if a neck injury or whip lash is involved. Made me feel alot better. Just wanted to pass it on in case someone else ever encounters this and freaks out like I did. Xanax has kicked in and my daughter gently massaged my neck and shoulders. Worked miracles and I don't have the desire to run to the ER anymore. I will be calling my own doctor on Monday since I may need an MRI or something. Actually just posting helped. But if anyone has experienced anxiety, high blood pressure or any other symtoms after a car accident, I'd appreciate reading your thoughts. She hit me so hard from the side (ran a stop sign @ about 40 mph) that my medal flew off my neck and landed on the next seat. Fortunately she hit me behind my driver's door, but it spun me 180 degrees.
Thanks,
KGB

I am so sorry about your car accident. I know how scary they are as I have been in them before.

It sounded like a panic attack to me and I am glad your daughter was home to help. I am also glad you are going to your regular doctor for a physical. Sometimes in a car accident you feel fine but might have some sort of injury (like you said whip lash ... ouch)

I had a very bad bladder infection a while back and my blood pressure spiked. Like you, my lower number was very high and that never is high. So, different things can cause your blood pressure to spike.

Take care.

Mopsy

KG - take some deep breaths and try to relax!! I have been where you are - you are hyper reacting to a really stressful event (car crash) and your anxiety is getting the better of you - for heaven's sakes don't take your BP when you are feeling this way because of course it will be high! whose would not? there is a lot of adrenaline coursing thru your body when you get this way and it can take quite some time to settle down - make yourself some chamomile tea, take a warm bath - wash the car lol - do what ever to get rid of those nasty stress hormones -- even if your BP stayed at those levels for days it cannot hurt you - high BP is an issue only if it is sustained over a long period of time!

All of those other nasty feelings, like the racing heart point to classic panic/anxiety - anyone would feel the same way - your mind in telling your body to play tricks on you, nothing more - you are gonna be just fine !!!!!

If you have some magnesium in the house it can help calm you - epsom salt bath could help too.....

let us know how you are okay?

CIC

Thank you. I'm much better today. I took the advice - deep breaths, magnesium, tea, relax and now that I have made the decision to go to the doctor's, I feel more at peace. I really didn't want to go to the doctor, but I know I should to get it checked out. I haven't taken the magnesium for awhile, but will during this stressful time. You are probably right - it was a panic/anxiety reaction. Not only am I dealing with the accident, my mother-in-law of 35 years is dying which is why my daughter is in town - to say good-bye. We are going through an accredidation revue at work. I teach a GED class and my enrollment is through the roof - lot's of drop-outs and unemployed because of the economy and, of course, there's no money for help. I know better than to take my BP when I'm paniced, but it's like a person driving by an accident - you know you shouldn't look, but you can't help yourself.
Thank you, thank you for responding.
KGB

KG - glad to hear you are feeling better!!! You did well to help yourself and getting checked out by the doc is a good thing so you don't worry further!

These sure are stressful times - hope you have a much better week!

CIC