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White coat syndrome

Deb62
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Has anyone else experienced this? During a recent CT scan my blood pressure went through the roof but was fine at home. I am scheduled for a hysterectomy next Tuesday but blood pressure high during pre-op and once again ok at home. I was advised to ask my GP for beta blockers short term to get me through the surgery and the hospital called my Gp to get me an urgent appointment and gave me a letter of explanation.

i saw a locum who doesn’t know me and he gave me a prescription. Fortunately the oncology nurse called me to see how I got on. The prescription I was given was not a beta blocker but a slow acting blood pressure drug and would not have the quick acting effect I needed for surgery to go ahead and meant it would probably be cancelled on the day. On querying this with the surgery I was told that the doctor I saw did not agree with what the hospital were saying!

i have grade three cancer and need the op ASAP. I cannot believe this GP compromised this and didn’t even tell me.

i have an an appointment with my usual GP tomorrow and hope I can sort this out and have the hysterectomy next week. Needless to say I could do without this additional stress.

 

  • Hello Deb62

    I hope that you were able to sort things out yesterday when you saw your normal GP. You certainly could do without any additional stress and I hope that your surgery is still able to go ahead as planned on Tuesday. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Jenn

    Hi Jenn

    thank you my GP eventually gave me Propanolol as suggested by my oncology nurse to deal with anxiety causing the high BP but it raised more questions as my GP told me it could lower my pulse rate. She is married to an anaesthetist and says a low pulse rate could also stop the hysterectomy. I relayed this information to my nurse who checked with the ward sister. She checked my results and pulse was fine. To further muddy the waters she suggested over the counter CALMS but says it’s up to me.

    my husband wants me to take the beta blockers but I’m still mulling it over. Need to decide soon though 

  • Offline in reply to Deb62

    Hello, just seen your post.

     

    i suffer white coat syndrome, it is stupidly high during all visits to any medics....including my pre op assessment and on the day of the op ( I sent the alarm off...it went red) I am always advised to take readings for the week leading up to any medical appointments....and take them with me...which I do and always good to go ahead with treatments.....I totally understand.....is this something worth doing? My monitor also measures pulse rate....I do three readings a day.....xx

  • Offline in reply to Marlyn

    Hi Marlyn

    so you manage without medication? That’s encouraging. My GP also suggested I keep a log of readings so I will do that. I don’t want to take a chance on surgery being cancelled so might take the medication closer to next Tuesday.

    Thanks for your reply and hope you are well x

     

  • Offline in reply to Deb62

    No meds for me, it was suggested.....however it would have worried me more....taking something when I'm actually ok.....my surgeon was happy to go ahead...despite setting the alarm off......xxx

  • Offline

    Hi Deb62, I had a full hysterectomy and the lady in the bed next to me got into such a state they cancelled hers.  The surgery went well, I was up and out of bed and walking the next day, obviously it takes time to recover and you have to do as your told!  Take the kalms, they might help and the beta blockers for a short period, your aim is to get better soon and operations are difficult to deal with but try and stay calm for your own sake.  Good luck Debs, we're all rooting for you.  Hugs your way,  Carol x 

  • Offline in reply to Dor06

    Hi Carol

    thanks for your reply. Oddly I don’t feel anxious or get into a state and no one is more surprised than me that my blood pressure gets so high in the hospital environment. It’s a strange thing and something I don’t seem able to control and I don’t actually feel unduly anxious.

    As you say the beta blockers should help so I will start taking them to make sure I can have the surgery. That’s odd too isn’t it? Looking forward to surgery!!

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