Does this make sense

[rustee2011]

Good Morning, I realised that due to the past issues I have had with blood pressure medications ( face swelling etc). Even though my pressure has gone down a bit, the experience has left me scared to check my blood pressure. I have a monitor at home, but get anxious just checking it. I am fitter than last year, thanks to the gym. However, I can only get it read at Doctors, if that makes sense. The same with a HbA1c monitor. I haven't used it, although I should to get over the anxiety. Even though I was told that I don't require one, as my Diabetes is well controlled. ...

 

[rustee2011]

Well, I opened the box, so that is s great first step methinks

 

[Kaylz]

I think personally I'd get into the habit of checking it at home to take a few readings to appointments etc, often your blood pressure is higher when at the surgery and referred to as white coat syndrome

I think by the second part you mean a blood glucose monitor as we don't test hba1c's at home but yes I often get anxious at what its going to throw at me but then as a Type 1 I don't have the option not to test
xx

 

[rustee2011]

I opened the box and read it, so great first step for me. I am reading it. Downloaded the app. Although I am not at that level. I believe it will empower me to try it and get the anxiousness out of the way.

 

[Ljc]

I have a couple of phobias , one is heights and it really only has to be a few inches 😱 the other is anyone doing things to my eyes the glaucoma test and eye screening are dreadful , so I do understand.

I am guessing it the BG result rather than the anxiety of doing the fingerpick ? apologies if I am wrong , but just in case that is worrying you , you really hardly feel it.
Have a read of
painless-pricks by Alan S

As for the result of your finger prick, which is an in the spot test rather than the Hb1ac .
Unlike your blood pressure their is an awful lot you can do to get your BG into a the good range most of the
time.
You honestly hardly feel it.
You can use the meter to find out which carbohydrates you can and tolerate well ,so you only cut down or remove the bad ones.
I know you know already know all the above but I thought that seeing it written down would help you

Now read the instructions and set your meter up .
Breathe
Breathe
Deep breath
And
Bite the bullet, providing you don’t mind sharing with us , please let us know how you got on

 

[rustee2011]

Yes the BG monitor. I finally opened the box. Set it up and downloaded the app.
Just read my BP 172/111/88. Although I recognise that I am going through an anxious/depressive phase. I felt anxious doing it. So I know anxiety with the fight/flight causes elevated BP levels, but glad I did it

 

[rustee2011]

I did the BG , not enough blood, on the strip. I will try later

 

[stephknits]

Well done you.

 

[rustee2011]

When I was at the Doctors back in early October - it was 141/88 - so I know that it's anxiousness of the past. But I will make a habit of testing my BP to ease the anxiousness of it. And will test the BG later today. Onwards and Upwards

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

All done @rustee2011

Hope that your anxiety reduces as you take these small steps and keep checking at your own pace in your own home. It’ll soon become second nature 🙂

 

[grovesy]

I take my Blood Pressure first thing in the morning.

 

[Ljc]

It can take a bit of practice to persuade any or enough blood to appear , Like getting blood out I’d a stone lol. For 40 years one of my (they call the skills 🙄 ) was pricking Donors thumbs to see if they had enough iron to donate blood this requires a much larger sample, so when I started testing my BG I was ahead of the game, except I had the opposite problem , too much red stuff appearing

It will get easier over time

 

[trophywench]

Helps if you wash that hand under the hot tap first and then 'vigorously' dry it thoroughly - cos that gets the blood in your fingertips lowing well before you start.

 

[Drummer]

Try to think of these tests as having a speedometer in the car. You can go down a road and see the speed you are doing, and if necessary take your foot off the pedal before the next speed camera.
Without the meter, all you can do is wait to see if you get notification of raised Hba1c - a fine through the post for exceeding the limit is the equivalent.
With the blood pressure tester you can practice being calmer and more relaxed and see how that lowers your results.

 

[rustee2011]

Thanks for the advice and support guys. Blessings

 

[Leonora]

Hi Rustee. I have exactly the same problem as you with taking my BP reading. Anxiety at home and with the nurse! I have overcome this by taking 1 reading, not moving from my seat, taking 10 deep breaths, closing my eyes and then taking another reading. The second reading is always much, much lower. I now do this with my nurse too, though I think she thinks I'm a little mad. For example, my first test a couple of weeks ago with the nurse was 150/95. After my 10 deep breaths she took it again and it came down to 125/79 so it can work. Not for everyone but it's worth a try. Demand from your nurse that you have that second test and good luck.