Whitecoat syndrome

[unreal]

I'm going to be getting a new medical within the next couple weeks here, but I'll be going to an unfamiliar AME since I moved to the LA area. One of the things that concerns me about going to someone I don't know is that I tend to get whitecoat syndrome pretty easily. Whenever they strap on that blood pressure cuff, I can just feel myself getting nervous about it being high. Because of that, guess what, it's always high. I know that normally I'm well within the FAA's 155/95 guideline, but I'm afraid that I'll be above that if I'm a bit nervous about the results. My last AME didn't seem to care, but this one? Ehh, no idea.

I'm sure more people than just me have that problem. Anyone have any ideas as to not be so damn nervous when they pull out that cuff?

 

[Gryphon]

I've never had that problem, but let me just say that if you already know your BP is ok, then there's no reason to worry, is there? It sometimes helps to sit there before he's ready for you, pick a blank spot on the wall, and try to not think about the cuff.. just let yourself relax. Maybe pretend it's your familiar AME to help cut down the anxiety. Don't think about the cuff, pretend it's someone else's arm(difficult , i know, when the thing starts squeezing). Good luck.

 

[NW_Pilot]

I understand My worst Fear is the Words, Ok drop em turn arround and put your chest on the table! Yikes!!!

 

[HAL]

An easy way to lower the blood pressure when faced with the 'white coat' syndrome is to take four or five slow deep breaths just before they strap the thing on. It's relaxing, and guaranteed to lower that BP. That was shown to me by an AME when I had the same syndrome. Works every time.

HAL

 

[GogglesPisano]

It's the latex glove that bothers me, not the white coat.

If you see a pee cup or a latex glove, find another AME fast!

 

[FN FAL]

I understand My worst Fear is the Words, Ok drop em turn arround and put your chest on the table! Yikes!!!

Once you get a couple thousand 135 or 121 PIC hours under your belt, you'll be bringing your own home grown appropriately sized/shaped garden vegetables to the medical examination. For once you have done that, you'll never be asked to "put your chest on the table" again.

 

[Diesel]

If he has both hands on your shoulders you might want to rethink that exam.

 

[PBRstreetgang]

I'm going to be getting a new medical within the next couple weeks here, but I'll be going to an unfamiliar AME since I moved to the LA area. One of the things that concerns me about going to someone I don't know is that I tend to get whitecoat syndrome pretty easily. Whenever they strap on that blood pressure cuff, I can just feel myself getting nervous about it being high. Because of that, guess what, it's always high. I know that normally I'm well within the FAA's 155/95 guideline, but I'm afraid that I'll be above that if I'm a bit nervous about the results. My last AME didn't seem to care, but this one? Ehh, no idea.

I'm sure more people than just me have that problem. Anyone have any ideas as to not be so dang nervous when they pull out that cuff?

Hey,
Google for results on lie detector faking, plenty of data on how to beat the lie machine, read the B.P. section, mostly mind control, if that fails try heroin, big fat ballon before you go in helps. If you can't score some "h", just lay off the caffeine for 24 hours, lots of cranberry juice for the detox and you will pass with flying colors.
PBR

 

[cezzna]

I used to send students to a brand new AME. These kids were fine, all in college but he dinged a few much to my surprise. I recommend you find an examiner in the LA area who does all of the pro-pilots. There WILL be people in the know and can direct you. The AME I go to has seen it all and isn't going to ding your career over a blood pressure reading. Stay away from the newbies. Find the guy who does the most career pilots and go there.

 

[unreal]

Cool, thanks for the info everyone. I'll be the first to admit that my BP isn't great to start out with (baseline seems to be 140/80 or so for me...at least the bottom number is okay), but going to the first unfamiliar AME in about 4 years is a little nerveracking. I'm a healthy guy overall, so I'm sure I'm just getting worked up over nothing.

I found an AME over here at Brackett field who's a "senior AME," and is a pilot himself. He advertises his services over here at Mt. SAC to all the commercial flight majors, so it sounds like a good place to go. I'll have to ask around though.