Phobia of having my Blood Pressure taken (tips for irrational fears and keeping calm!

[CARNAT22]

..... I know it's stupid to be so afraid of this when they need to take your BP so often during pregnancy

I can't help it though, it's a genuine phobia that I cannot control.

The thought of having my BP taken brings me out in a sweat... I'd rather have huge injection

Also as I am normally terrified my readings are on the high side.

I am fine with anything else medical (injections, internals, giving blood) it's just the BP.

Anyone else the same? I guess it's not all that common

How do you guys deal with your irrational phobia's? Any tips and techniques of delaing with fear / anxiety much appreciated!

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[saralou5]

Eeek this sounds horrid . I know it's nothing to do with being pg but I'm truely terrified of the dark. I have panic attacks if it's dark for even a minute, even if there's someone with me. Needless to say I don't really go out a lot at night haha! And if I do have to be in the dark I have to be able to see some sort of light which usually calms me a little. People think I'm over reacting about it, but it's something I genuinely can't deal with, so I know how you feel!
The best thing I learnt to do was to try and keep myself busy/distracted by singing or by getting someone to make a joke about the whole situation. I've found that talking to someone about my fear when I'm experiencing it helps as well . xxx

 

[VikkiR]

I close my eyes and count to 30 in my head as fast as I can repeatedly I usually forget to breathe lol x

 

[Loula]

im like this with needles but keep telling myself i have to go through labour yet so needles are nothing and it kinda works xx

 

[Little_angel]

Have you any idea what caused this? Is it completely irrational or is there something specific you are afraid of, for eg. Does the cuff hurt you, or are you afraid of high results? Do you get it only with the machines, or when the nurse takes it manually?

I'm a nurse, so I just wondered if there is any specific reassurance I could give.

 

[CARNAT22]

Have you any idea what caused this? Is it completely irrational or is there something specific you are afraid of, for eg. Does the cuff hurt you, or are you afraid of high results? Do you get it only with the machines, or when the nurse takes it manually?

I'm a nurse, so I just wondered if there is any specific reassurance I could give.

Thanks hun,

My M-I-L is a nurse so I'll def ask her advice (after we tell the family)

It's a bit of everything really, I hate the sensation and the actual feeling of having it done (it's not the cuff, it's the pressure and I become really conscious of feeling my blood rsuhing through my ears) I just find the whole experience really horrible - although I nothing bad has ever happened LOL!

I also get really anxious before about the whole thing, which doesn't help?

It's so silly, I know logically that having my BP taken is nothing, yet it stilll causes me a lot of angst

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[Little_angel]

Is it with the machines? Or with manual readings? Or both?

The machines inflate very high and do squeeze your arm very tight, especially if you are prone to higher BP when they take it.

Ask the nurse to do it manually if they have the equipment, they can be a little more gentle.

 

[tinselcat]

Hey carnat

With injections i tell myself it's no worse that grazing myself if I fell over (not very scary, can handle that)

So perhaps similarly with bp you could tell yourself it's like sleeping on your arm during the night?

I also don't like the sensation so look away while it's being done xx

 

[CARNAT22]

Is it with the machines? Or with manual readings? Or both?

The machines inflate very high and do squeeze your arm very tight, especially if you are prone to higher BP when they take it.

Ask the nurse to do it manually if they have the equipment, they can be a little more gentle.

I've had it done manually recently and with a machine .... Not sure which one I preferred but the machine was def tighter a lot tighter

Dr was lovely though so I was OK with him doing it?

I was thinking of getting my own BP machine at home to a) take my own readings when I am relaxed and b) get used to the sensation

Or I guess I could ask M-I-L to help me out?? Although we're not telling anyone yet so ideally I'd like to be a bit calmer when I go for my booking in appointment.

It's pathetic when you think what some people go through medically and I know this...

It is an irrational phobia, I need a good shake I think!

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[tweetyfoo]

Awww hun. Its rubbish when you have a phobia, especially one that appears "irrational"

I have a mahoosive phobia of ladybirds, so I know exactly how you feel.

All I can do is give you massive and maybe having to have it done so many times during the pregnancy will help you overcome it a little?

 

[Amyrose]

Asda do a fab bp machine my fil was recommended it by his doctor. I have high bp and stress about it being high when I have it taken so it makes it worse. X

 

[CARNAT22]

Asda you say?? Will def have a look!

I've had BP taken 4 times in 2 weeks so I am def facing my fears so to speak.

Also my GP surgery has a self service machine so I guess I could always pop in and have a reading there now and then?

Ladybirds?? Oh bless - I love 'em.... at least you don't have to come in contact with them all that often??

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[kra0]

I totally see where you are coming from! I nearly prefer needles over it! Its such a horrible feeling and during it I always wonder if they realise that my arm feels like its about to fall off lol xxxx

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[tweetyfoo]

Asda you say?? Will def have a look!

I've had BP taken 4 times in 2 weeks so I am def facing my fears so to speak.

Also my GP surgery has a self service machine so I guess I could always pop in and have a reading there now and then?

Ladybirds?? Oh bless - I love 'em.... at least you don't have to come in contact with them all that often??

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When I lived in London we got an infestation in a bush outside the house I was scared to leave the house and wouldn't allow any windows open! One was climbing up the outside of the window in D's car when he had come to visit me and I swear I've never moved so fast in my life! I had my seatbelt off and was in the back seat in the blink of an eye screaming! Poor D was trying to negotiate M1 rush hour traffic for the first time (we'd only been together 6 months)

So I moved to Scotland - they don't get very many up here .. I had two in my house last summer, I didn't see them but D told me about them which led to me nearly having a nervous breakdown and demanding we move to antartica!

 

[FirstBabyEek]

Do you want to trade? I'll do all your BPs and you can have all my needles? Seems fair xx

 

[Bev999]

You can have your BP done on your wirst or thigh?? Dont know if that helps.

 

[CARNAT22]

You can have your BP done on your wirst or thigh?? Dont know if that helps.

Interesting, I didn't know that!

Thanks hun

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[Little_angel]

If it's easier for you to have it taken manually, ask them to do that. Most people will be fine with that.

Getting your own machine to get used to is a great idea!

 

[bute69]

I've had high blood pressure on and off the last 2 or 3 Weeks and have to have BP taken twice a Week. I'm now paranoid that it will be high, so dread it too. I have to try and think about something else when having it taken, but not easy!!

 

[Hunnie]

Im a huge believer in flooding therapy. I was scared stiff of having an injection or just being around needles in general or even looking at them. After my time spent in Hospital and with them prodding and poking me with needles constantly and then having to have injections given at home, Ive finally got over my fear and will happily have someone inject me or take blood.

I think getting a blood pressure machine and using it constantly will help you a lot!