White coat syndrome

[Audi4Mom]

Hi, I'm in my early 40s and female. I have genetic high blood pressure. It started after my first child was born in 2002 after a difficult labor and delivery. After I had my first child, my family doctor put me on BP medication to control my BP. He also prescribed zoloft around the same time because I was feeling a little anxious then also. After that my BP was great as long as I took my medicine & I didnt feel anxious with the zoloft. However, the zoloft caused me to gain over 50 lbs though, so I stopped taking it. My BP stayed great through my 20s. It was great until my late 30s. Then I started to develop white coat syndrome it seems. At home my BP was great, but at my family doctor and cardiologist it would run higher like 145/95, 160/100s, and even higher a couple times. My pulse rate also goes up a lot. My blood work, EKGs and past cardiology appointments have been normal so far. I now have a new family doctor and take bystolic for my BP & Buspar for anxiety. However, my BP still seems to spike whenever I go the doctor or dentist. I have a dentist appointment for a broken tooth next week with a new dentist, and I'm nervous about it. I really hope my BP doesnt go up then. I have a telehealth appointment with my family doctor this week also. I'm going to ask him if he can add in another anxiety medication along with my Buspar. Does anyone else here have white coat syndrome? If so, any suggestions what it best anxiety medications to treat it? I don't want to take zoloft again due to weight gain.

 

[EMJ]

I am the queen of "white coat syndrome! I seriously go into panic mode at the sight of a blood pressure monitor!
blood pressure was never a concern of mine most of my life...I am 67 now...I have been a runner for 50 years with very low resting pulse...never smoked...don't drink.....but suffer with a major anxiety disorder. My father had very high blood pressure problems nearly all his life. he died of a stroke at age 76...my mother develpoed BP issues as a result of taking medications...and died this past year at age 92! A few years ago I had a couple high readings in the ER and also DR.'s offices this caused me to become obsessed with my blood pressure....and during this time the "healthy" blood pressure levels were changed in the US and this put me into an increased panic. People in my life have told me ...'it;s no big deal if your BP is higher just take meds.... but I am also a Drug phobic...hate meds... hate taking them...I have so many side effects....my first choice is "no Meds"....plus I have times where my BP bottoms a bit like 90/55, pulse is in the low 50's...and the thought of being on a medicine that could make that lower scares the bejeebers out of me. I am at a point now where I don't know what to do ...I hear what you are saying...it's tough!

 

[Jonathan123]

Hi, I'm in my early 40s and female. I have genetic high blood pressure. It started after my first child was born in 2002 after a difficult labor and delivery. After I had my first child, my family doctor put me on BP medication to control my BP. He also prescribed zoloft around the same time because I was feeling a little anxious then also. After that my BP was great as long as I took my medicine & I didnt feel anxious with the zoloft. However, the zoloft caused me to gain over 50 lbs though, so I stopped taking it. My BP stayed great through my 20s. It was great until my late 30s. Then I started to develop white coat syndrome it seems. At home my BP was great, but at my family doctor and cardiologist it would run higher like 145/95, 160/100s, and even higher a couple times. My pulse rate also goes up a lot. My blood work, EKGs and past cardiology appointments have been normal so far. I now have a new family doctor and take bystolic for my BP & Buspar for anxiety. However, my BP still seems to spike whenever I go the doctor or dentist. I have a dentist appointment for a broken tooth next week with a new dentist, and I'm nervous about it. I really hope my BP doesnt go up then. I have a telehealth appointment with my family doctor this week also. I'm going to ask him if he can add in another anxiety medication along with my Buspar. Does anyone else here have white coat syndrome? If so, any suggestions what it best anxiety medications to treat it? I don't want to take zoloft again due to weight gain.

We need be very careful when looking at BP. It takes a diagnostician to see what is going on. Some people live all their lives with high BP. My grandmother had higher than so called normal BP and died at 101! It's not the high BP that can cause problems, it's worrying about it. Of course, if you are an anxious person you will suffer white coat syndrome. That is always taken into account when they take your BP. It depends on so many factors, a lot of which we can treat ourselves, like a good balanced diet and exercise. In my view, these days, we are over informed about anything medical. Programmes on medical issues are to be seen on TV almost every night, and health warnings are common. Is it any wonder and anxious person feels upset by it all?

 

[Audi4Mom]

Hi thanks for your replies, I appreciate it. I had a telehealth appointment with my family doctor yesterday & he recommended adding Lexapro 5 mg in with my Buspar that I already take. My white coat syndrome has caused me to cancel a lot of much needed doctor/dental appointments the last few years, so I'm hoping the Lexapro may help with my anxiety. I'm just a little worried about weight gain on it. I gained a lot on Zoloft. My doctor said he thought Lexapro caused a little less weight gain than Zoloft, but I know everyone is different. Anyone here gain on Lexapro 5 mg? I know that's a low dose, so hoping it doesnt affect my weight too much. Thanks!

 

[E.B]

I tell you how most of it began with me...9th grade playing basketball landed on my ankle, horrible pain, eventually went to make sure it wasn't broken. During my blood pressure I remember the nurses eyes got huge! It was high! Eventually I left with the fear of blood pressure getting taken in my mind...I remember a follow up a week or 2 later I wouldn't let the doc take my BP. That turned into a snowball fear of health anxiety and irrational health fears....

Fast forward to me at 41...besides a serious accident in 07 that landed me in the hospital I have not had any physical of any kind. It is absolutely nothing I am proud of and I know most people's response...but it is something I deal with so I sympathize.

 

[Audi4Mom]

I tell you how most of it began with me...9th grade playing basketball landed on my ankle, horrible pain, eventually went to make sure it wasn't broken. During my blood pressure I remember the nurses eyes got huge! It was high! Eventually I left with the fear of blood pressure getting taken in my mind...I remember a follow up a week or 2 later I wouldn't let the doc take my BP. That turned into a snowball fear of health anxiety and irrational health fears....

Fast forward to me at 41...besides a serious accident in 07 that landed me in the hospital I have not had any physical or any kind. It is absolutely nothing I am proud of and I know most people's response...but it is something I deal with so I sympathize.

Hi E.B, Thanks for your reply. Sorry you deal with this as well.. It's definitely no fun.. Have you considered maybe doing a telehealth visit for a checkup? I have done telehealth visits with my family doctor & that's helped since they don't take my BP.. lol However, I am do for an in person visit with him in Oct. and am planning on going for that as of now. He has been my doctor a long time and has a great bedside manner. He knows I have the white coat syndrome and is very understanding about it. I think that is key is to find a good family doctor who is understanding of anxiety disorders. Ironically, I work in the medical field. I have worn scrubs and a white lab coat myself at times lol.. The Buspar i take has helped my anxiety with this some, but I still felt wasn't totally controlling it. I think the Lexapro my doctor just added will help even more. I already feel slightly calmer the last couple days. I know it's early as I've just been taking it a few days, so maybe its a "placebo affect," but I do seem to feel a little calmer. I will keep everyone updated though.. Thanks again for everyone's replies..

 

[E.B]

Hi E.B, Thanks for your reply. Sorry you deal with this as well.. It's definitely no fun.. Have you considered maybe doing a telehealth visit for a checkup? I have done telehealth visits with my family doctor & that's helped since they don't take my BP.. lol However, I am do for an in person visit with him in Oct. and am planning on going for that as of now. He has been my doctor a long time and has a great bedside manner. He knows I have the white coat syndrome and is very understanding about it. I think that is key is to find a good family doctor who is understanding of anxiety disorders. Ironically, I work in the medical field. I have worn scrubs and a white lab coat myself at times lol.. The Buspar i take has helped my anxiety with this some, but I still felt wasn't totally controlling it. I think the Lexapro my doctor just added will help even more. I already feel slightly calmer the last couple days. I know it's early as I've just been taking it a few days, so maybe its a "placebo affect," but I do seem to feel a little calmer. I will keep everyone updated though.. Thanks again for everyone's replies..

Yes I do agree that a telehealth option if offered would be great for me if I can go through it haha...and also the finding a good understanding doc is crucial as well. The man who is considered my doc(was my mom's and then when became of age became mine)is a nice guy when her or myself have ever had to talk with him. However it would be good to find one who somehow specializes in treating those with health related anxiety. Meds can really help, people sometimes say that "meds only do so much" may have a point due to promoting a need for therapy, etc and while I do agree med won't cure, it certainly offers great help to many.

 

[Audi4Mom]

Hey, I haven't been on in a little bit and just wanted to update. I saw my family doctor yesterday for my yearly checkup. I was supposed to see him in October, but had to reschedule for this November. My visit went great! I have been taking the Lexapro he added since September, along with my Buspar and am feeling much better! I definitely feel less anxious. I haven't gained much weight since starting it either (other than a few lbs. from Thanksgiving lol) and hope it stays that way. My blood pressure and pulse were normal yesterday at my visit & I didn't really have the white coat syndrome I normally have when there. I think the Lexapro is helping with my anxiety and white coat syndrome. I just wanted to update & thought this post may help others who struggle with white coat syndrome as well.

 

[Bry]

Happens to me every time i go to the doctor or dentist. I am on BP meds, but the white coat beats that out. I monitor at home and jot down the numbers and bring them with me to my visits, just to get the nurse, doctor off me. I believe if we all went off of what our BP scores are in the doctor/dentist office, there would be a lot of people mis-diagnosed. the WellMed website has a good description on how to get an accurate reading (alone, sitting for 5 minutes in a quiet atmosphere, etc).
This cardiologist on youtube helped me out a lot with his video 'High Blood pressure: Why we shouldn't worry about the number'

 

[Matticus1983]

Hi, I'm in my early 40s and female. I have genetic high blood pressure. It started after my first child was born in 2002 after a difficult labor and delivery. After I had my first child, my family doctor put me on BP medication to control my BP. He also prescribed zoloft around the same time because I was feeling a little anxious then also. After that my BP was great as long as I took my medicine & I didnt feel anxious with the zoloft. However, the zoloft caused me to gain over 50 lbs though, so I stopped taking it. My BP stayed great through my 20s. It was great until my late 30s. Then I started to develop white coat syndrome it seems. At home my BP was great, but at my family doctor and cardiologist it would run higher like 145/95, 160/100s, and even higher a couple times. My pulse rate also goes up a lot. My blood work, EKGs and past cardiology appointments have been normal so far. I now have a new family doctor and take bystolic for my BP & Buspar for anxiety. However, my BP still seems to spike whenever I go the doctor or dentist. I have a dentist appointment for a broken tooth next week with a new dentist, and I'm nervous about it. I really hope my BP doesnt go up then. I have a telehealth appointment with my family doctor this week also. I'm going to ask him if he can add in another anxiety medication along with my Buspar. Does anyone else here have white coat syndrome? If so, any suggestions what it best anxiety medications to treat it? I don't want to take zoloft again due to weight gain.

There is no medicine to treat it. Your story is just like mine! I take 4 mg of Klonopin a day on top of other meds and still read high when I'm at the doc. Even If I take a nerve pill (benzo) before hand. Your doc either understands anxiety and how it affects us physiologically or he doesnt, in that case I would find another doc. Best of luck!

 

[Audi4Mom]

There is no medicine to treat it. Your story is just like mine! I take 4 mg of Klonopin a day on top of other meds and still read high when I'm at the doc. Even If I take a nerve pill (benzo) before hand. Your doc either understands anxiety and how it affects us physiologically or he doesnt, in that case I would find another doc. Best of luck!

Thanks for your reply! Sorry that this is something you deal with also.. Fortunately, I have a great family doctor, with a good bedside manner! He is very understanding of my anxiety and white coat syndrome. I've taken Buspar and Vistaril for anxiety the last few years. Those meds do help, but werent totally controlling my anxiety. He also added in Lexapro as well with my last telehealth visit with him in September. After starting the Lexapro my last in person office visit with him this November went great! My blood pressure and heart rate were normal, so the Lexapro seems to be working! Fingers crossed it continues to. I know everyone responds to medications differently though.. I hope my post may help some others here as well.. Best wishes to everyone!

 

[Bry]

Some doctors get it and some don’t. Most always bring my bp up. Makes me not even want to go. I don’t want to get upset with them, but dang, wish they would get it. I’ve gotten to the point where I take a bunch of propananol to just about knock me out. These have been the only times my bp isn’t high

 

[Jmtk]

I am the queen of "white coat syndrome! I seriously go into panic mode at the sight of a blood pressure monitor!
blood pressure was never a concern of mine most of my life...I am 67 now...I have been a runner for 50 years with very low resting pulse...never smoked...don't drink.....but suffer with a major anxiety disorder. My father had very high blood pressure problems nearly all his life. he died of a stroke at age 76...my mother develpoed BP issues as a result of taking medications...and died this past year at age 92! A few years ago I had a couple high readings in the ER and also DR.'s offices this caused me to become obsessed with my blood pressure....and during this time the "healthy" blood pressure levels were changed in the US and this put me into an increased panic. People in my life have told me ...'it;s no big deal if your BP is higher just take meds.... but I am also a Drug phobic...hate meds... hate taking them...I have so many side effects....my first choice is "no Meds"....plus I have times where my BP bottoms a bit like 90/55, pulse is in the low 50's...and the thought of being on a medicine that could make that lower scares the bejeebers out of me. I am at a point now where I don't know what to do ...I hear what you are saying...it's tough!

Sounds like me . I am also 67 and me too the site of a BP cuff sends me in a tailspin.anxiety is tough period

 

[Tim999]

I have the same issue, I think going to doctors causes anxiety to go up a little, 140/100, I come home it's 120/90.

 

[WillB]

I am the queen of "white coat syndrome! I seriously go into panic mode at the sight of a blood pressure monitor!
blood pressure was never a concern of mine most of my life...I am 67 now...I have been a runner for 50 years with very low resting pulse...never smoked...don't drink.....but suffer with a major anxiety disorder. My father had very high blood pressure problems nearly all his life. he died of a stroke at age 76...my mother develpoed BP issues as a result of taking medications...and died this past year at age 92! A few years ago I had a couple high readings in the ER and also DR.'s offices this caused me to become obsessed with my blood pressure....and during this time the "healthy" blood pressure levels were changed in the US and this put me into an increased panic. People in my life have told me ...'it;s no big deal if your BP is higher just take meds.... but I am also a Drug phobic...hate meds... hate taking them...I have so many side effects....my first choice is "no Meds"....plus I have times where my BP bottoms a bit like 90/55, pulse is in the low 50's...and the thought of being on a medicine that could make that lower scares the bejeebers out of me. I am at a point now where I don't know what to do ...I hear what you are saying...it's tough!

Hi, I'm in my early 40s and female. I have genetic high blood pressure. It started after my first child was born in 2002 after a difficult labor and delivery. After I had my first child, my family doctor put me on BP medication to control my BP. He also prescribed zoloft around the same time because I was feeling a little anxious then also. After that my BP was great as long as I took my medicine & I didnt feel anxious with the zoloft. However, the zoloft caused me to gain over 50 lbs though, so I stopped taking it. My BP stayed great through my 20s. It was great until my late 30s. Then I started to develop white coat syndrome it seems. At home my BP was great, but at my family doctor and cardiologist it would run higher like 145/95, 160/100s, and even higher a couple times. My pulse rate also goes up a lot. My blood work, EKGs and past cardiology appointments have been normal so far. I now have a new family doctor and take bystolic for my BP & Buspar for anxiety. However, my BP still seems to spike whenever I go the doctor or dentist. I have a dentist appointment for a broken tooth next week with a new dentist, and I'm nervous about it. I really hope my BP doesnt go up then. I have a telehealth appointment with my family doctor this week also. I'm going to ask him if he can add in another anxiety medication along with my Buspar. Does anyone else here have white coat syndrome? If so, any suggestions what it best anxiety medications to treat it? I don't want to take zoloft again due to weight gain.

That is a carbon copy of me. I had a bad experience many years ago with someone taking my blood pressure. Ever since I get anxiety going to my health provider knowing that he will take my blood pressure. Of course it is always elevated when he takes it. Sometimes as high as 180/100. I do take BP meds and when I take my BP at home it usually is fairly normal unless I am going thru a period of anxiety and then it is somewhat elevated. I take Paxil (low dose) for my anxiety and occasionally will take a Clonazepam. Hopefully one day I can overcome this irrational line of thinking and just be “normal”.

 

[NervousNikki]

I'm just a little worried about weight gain on it. I gained a lot on Zoloft. My doctor said he thought Lexapro caused a little less weight gain than Zoloft, but I know everyone is different. Anyone here gain on Lexapro 5 mg? I know that's a low dose, so hoping it doesnt affect my weight too much. Thanks!

Hi there!

I know this post is old, so you might not even need this info anymore lol, but I figured I would answer your question anyway!

As far as Lexapro goes, I started taking it in late 2021, and I personally HAVE noticed some weight gain while on it.

I'm sure the pandemic didn’t help much either, and I got into bad eating habits, but yea, I've noticed some weight gain. Nothing drastic or anything like that, but for someone like myself who used to be always fairly skinny, this is the heaviest I've been in my life, and I don't think it's just a coincidence or "getting older".

It's not like it was drastic or happened overnight or anything like that, but it just slowly crept up. I've only gained about 10 lbs in about a year and a half, but that's quite a bit to me when I've usually been pretty much the same weight since my twenties, with a slight variation of maybe 5-7 lbs. I'm now in my early 40s and all of a sudden experiencing weight gain like this. Seems to be the meds imo.

I think for me, the biggest thing is that my APPETITE seems to have grown almost insatiable, and I think that's what's causing the weight gain. I think Lexapro (or maybe all SSRI's) increase appetite. I also notice too that even though I workout at the gym and try to eat somewhat healthy (I even did a sugar fast back in February!!), I STILL can't seem to lose weight as quickly as I used to! I think this is mainly due to the medicine also. I never used to have these issues before taking it.

With that said..... I LOVE my Lexapro, and I wouldn't give it up just for this small weight gain. To me it's totally worth it! I was a nervous wreck sometimes without it, and my quality of life and mental health was really suffering. I am SO APPRECIATIVE for this medicine in my life! I am like a new person! I can do so much more now, and I am so carefree again!

I used to take 10mg, then dropped down to 5mg (cuz I was so tired and yawning all the time), and then I dropped that down to 2.5mg (due to it kinda messing up my libido, and I can't have that lol ), and 2.5mg seems to be the sweet spot for me.

If I need a little more, or I'm going through an upcoming tough time, I'll take 5mg for a few days. But most of the time, I take 2.5mg and I'm just fine.

If you really need the medication, then I would day definitely try it! 5mg is such a low dose, and you may find that you feel sooo much BETTER on it!

Don't allow a little weight gain to come btwn you and finding happiness and better mental and emotional health in your life!

My only regret with this medication is that I didn't take it SOONER!! I suffered for SO LONG with sometimes crippling anxiety for so many long years. I tried soo many "natural remedies", but they never lasted or gave me the type of relief that I needed.

So, try the medication if your Dr prescribed it for you!

 

[Audi4Mom]

Hi there!

I know this post is old, so you might not even need this info anymore lol, but I figured I would answer your question anyway!

As far as Lexapro goes, I started taking it in late 2021, and I personally HAVE noticed some weight gain while on it.

I'm sure the pandemic didn’t help much either, and I got into bad eating habits, but yea, I've noticed some weight gain. Nothing drastic or anything like that, but for someone like myself who used to be always fairly skinny, this is the heaviest I've been in my life, and I don't think it's just a coincidence or "getting older".

It's not like it was drastic or happened overnight or anything like that, but it just slowly crept up. I've only gained about 10 lbs in about a year and a half, but that's quite a bit to me when I've usually been pretty much the same weight since my twenties, with a slight variation of maybe 5-7 lbs. I'm now in my early 40s and all of a sudden experiencing weight gain like this. Seems to be the meds imo.

I think for me, the biggest thing is that my APPETITE seems to have grown almost insatiable, and I think that's what's causing the weight gain. I think Lexapro (or maybe all SSRI's) increase appetite. I also notice too that even though I workout at the gym and try to eat somewhat healthy (I even did a sugar fast back in February!!), I STILL can't seem to lose weight as quickly as I used to! I think this is mainly due to the medicine also. I never used to have these issues before taking it.

With that said..... I LOVE my Lexapro, and I wouldn't give it up just for this small weight gain. To me it's totally worth it! I was a nervous wreck sometimes without it, and my quality of life and mental health was really suffering. I am SO APPRECIATIVE for this medicine in my life! I am like a new person! I can do so much more now, and I am so carefree again!

I used to take 10mg, then dropped down to 5mg (cuz I was so tired and yawning all the time), and then I dropped that down to 2.5mg (due to it kinda messing up my libido, and I can't have that lol ), and 2.5mg seems to be the sweet spot for me.

If I need a little more, or I'm going through an upcoming tough time, I'll take 5mg for a few days. But most of the time, I take 2.5mg and I'm just fine.

If you really need the medication, then I would day definitely try it! 5mg is such a low dose, and you may find that you feel sooo much BETTER on it!

Don't allow a little weight gain to come btwn you and finding happiness and better mental and emotional health in your life!

My only regret with this medication is that I didn't take it SOONER!! I suffered for SO LONG with sometimes crippling anxiety for so many long years. I tried soo many "natural remedies", but they never lasted or gave me the type of relief that I needed.

So, try the medication if your Dr prescribed it for you!

Sorry, just seen this post. Haven't been on here in a while. Thanks so much for your reply! I really appreciate it. I am in my early 40s also. I have been on 5 mg Lexapro now since about September. I am definitely feeling better and much less anxious since starting the Lexapro! However, I have gained 8 lbs since starting it, ugggh I'm walking and exercising more, plus eating less than last year, and weigh more now! I think I am going to wean down to 2.5 mg as well and see if that helps me lose what I've gained and let my doctor know. I don't want to stop taking it, but definitely don't want to keep gaining weight either. I am very "weight sensitive" to anxiety medications. I gained 54 lbs on Zoloft years ago and it took forever to get the weight off! I don't want to go through that again.. thanks again! Best wishes..

 

[Audi4Mom]

Just wanted to update. Went in and saw my doctor recently and let him know I thought the 5 mg Lexapro was causing weight gain. He said I could take 2.5 mg instead of 5 mg, since I thought it was causing me to gain weight. I have been on 2.5 mg the last couple weeks, but I can't seem to lose a pound and continue to gain. Unfortunately, I think I'm going to have to wean off of it & may have him switch my medicine eventually. I was working 40 hours a week last year from home at my desk, barely exercising due to work and ate what I wanted. I weighed less last year than I do now! I had to let that job go due to stress. So I am walking a lot more through the day now (10,000-12,000 steps a day) & eating less & still weigh more now than last year! The lexapro definitely helps my anxiety, but is for sure causing me to gain weight too fast. So these medications do make some people (including myself) gain weight. PS- My BP was pretty good at the last doctor visit. My heart rate was up some, but went down after sitting in the exam room a while.