White coat

[liz85]

Hello ladies!! This is a bit of a random thread. I don’t have high blood pressure but at times when I go to a clinic it rises. Few months back I had a midwife who went ott on me telling me there was something wrong with me and this wasn’t normal etc. I check my own bp at home and it’s perfect. The community midwife checks it and it’s grand. I am a nurse so i do this day in day out. I heard this midwife tell others on the clinic how ridiculous it is to have a white coat syndrome nurse she even shouted it to another midwife how silly it was while I was getting my blood pressure rechecked!! and this mad me angry. Her bedside manner was appalling! Now every time I have to go to he hospital my bp sky rockets!! Iv been put on blood pressure tablets which I was unhappy to take as I know my bp is fine. Iv asked for a 24 hour tape to show them it’s actually very good but no one seems interested.

Anyone else any similar issues? Feel so silly at times! Iv been checked for pre eclampsia lots of times which I totally understand. But it’s all good xxx

 

[Louisekd81]

I am hypertension and medicated and when checked at home it’s spot on however when I go drs midwife clinic different story!! I tell them it’s coz of where I am some listen some don’t x

 

[liz85]

I am hypertension and medicated and when checked at home it’s spot on however when I go drs midwife clinic different story!! I tell them it’s coz of where I am some listen some don’t x

Yeah same here I had a home check yesterday all was good and midwife seemed happy enough. But at clinic it’s high. I just worry they bring me in early or something and all is ok though xx

 

[MoominGirl]

I'm a nurse too and we have lots of patients who say their blood pressure always skyrockets as soon as they come in to us!! For those that have this problem, our consultants are usually happy for patients to do their own readings but obviously high blood pressure in pregnancy can be really serious. I don't think it would be unreasonable to discuss your concerns with your midwife.

Also although my blood pressure tends to be on the lower side, I always find they get a lower reading from me if they do it manually.

 

[liz85]

I'm a nurse too and we have lots of patients who say their blood pressure always skyrockets as soon as they come in to us!! For those that have this problem, our consultants are usually happy for patients to do their own readings but obviously high blood pressure in pregnancy can be really serious. I don't think it would be unreasonable to discuss your concerns with your midwife.

Also although my blood pressure tends to be on the lower side, I always find they get a lower reading from me if they do it manually.

Yes manual seems to read better for me lol the machines I use in the ward is the ones they use in the clinic and they seem to read higher. I check mine at home I get 116/60 ish then clinic it’s 140/90 lol I should know better lol x

 

[Radleycat]

I think you should remind the nurse about information governance or something like that, drop in a couple of key words to remind her that she shouldn't be taking the pi## or shouting anything about you or your observations to anyone!

And as for the white coat syndrome itself, I'm a paramedic and I am not frightened of having blood taken or being cannulated however a couple of minutes later my body does a vasovagal on me and there is nothing I can do to stop it, it's quite embarrassing! So when I have anything done I give them a heads up, they lay me down as a precaution (ridiculous!) but I've been fine since.

Worst one was when having a minor op. They were trying to cannulate in my hand, I said veins are invasive and asked them to go acf. They did and then about 10 seconds later I felt rough so asked to lay down. Hr went Brady and BP hypotensive. Laying down felt much better, lol.

 

[linxminx21]

I also have this it's terrible.
I did get high BP at the end of my last pregnancy so that's what set it off.
I was on BP tablets for 6 months after baby born until a Dr made me have BP at home and then said were treating white coat syndrome here not high BP.
It's already high when I go Drs

 

[liz85]

I think you should remind the nurse about information governance or something like that, drop in a couple of key words to remind her that she shouldn't be taking the pi## or shouting anything about you or your observations to anyone!

And as for the white coat syndrome itself, I'm a paramedic and I am not frightened of having blood taken or being cannulated however a couple of minutes later my body does a vasovagal on me and there is nothing I can do to stop it, it's quite embarrassing! So when I have anything done I give them a heads up, they lay me down as a precaution (ridiculous!) but I've been fine since.

Worst one was when having a minor op. They were trying to cannulate in my hand, I said veins are invasive and asked them to go acf. They did and then about 10 seconds later I felt rough so asked to lay down. Hr went Brady and BP hypotensive. Laying down felt much better, lol.

Oh no!! I think some people believe that if you work in the medical profession your like a robot and nothing shouldnfaze you at all. But end of the day we are still human who can have anxiety. I had another midwife tell me I should know better as I’m a nurse.. lol

 

[liz85]

I also have this it's terrible.
I did get high BP at the end of my last pregnancy so that's what set it off.
I was on BP tablets for 6 months after baby born until a Dr made me have BP at home and then said were treating white coat syndrome here not high BP.
It's already high when I go Drs

Isn’t it! I think it gets worse the more people make a big deal about it. When I have a patient who tells me about white coat I sympathise and tell them about me. This puts them at ease knowing they aren’t the only ones. I think some people don’t believe it exists lol I’d like a 24 hour bp done at home. I’m surprised they don’t offer this x

 

[millielaura]

I get exactly the same but with my pulse! Gone in for baby related things and en up stuck there hours because of my heart rate lol ecgs , cardio referrals etc . I’m like I promise you it’s so much lower at home lol! It just goes so high when I know I’m getting it taken especially in hosp lol xx

 

[liz85]

I get exactly the same but with my pulse! Gone in for baby related things and en up stuck there hours because of my heart rate lol ecgs , cardio referrals etc . I’m like I promise you it’s so much lower at home lol! It just goes so high when I know I’m getting it taken especially in hosp lol xx

Lol it’s great to get so well looked after isn’t it but Feels like wasting their time. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one lol x