I have not engaged in pulse-checking, or blood pressure checking. There was a time, when I was coming off of medication that was given to me after a minor surgery, where I was obsessing about heart palpitations and found myself paying too close attention to my heartbeat. I stopped doing that eventually, when I was distracted by life and wasn't sitting there listening to my heart.
I do wonder what the point is of checking your pulse and blood pressure constantly? I mean that question sincerely. What are you looking for when you check it? Is it evidence that you're stressed? Or is it fear that there is something wrong with you? I'm not sure, based upon your post and Joey's owning a pulse oximeter in the car. Once you've had a doctor rule out any issues for you, it is helpful to remember that checking your pulse and bp probably makes it higher. The fear of what you might find out is probably driving it up. I know this for a fact because I have "white coat bp syndrome." I hate having my bp checked, so I tend to stress it when they put on that cuff (I have thin arms so the cuff makes my arm fall asleep and bruise when they do that.) My docs have learned to do the bp after the appointment, so I've calmed down a bit.. and once my chiropractor took it and said "I"d be more concerned due to the fact that your resting bp is low, not high." I know that I create the bp problems because of the stress I put on myself.
I own a meditation/bio feedback program that works with my computer. I love it because it helps you use guided meditation and relaxation techniques. While my pulse may be racing when I'm feeling anxious or in a doctor's office, I can tell you that it's low to normal when I'm sitting around in my house, and goes to almost a zen-like number when I've meditated. When you've ruled out any medical condition (which I suspect would be the case), then you'll come to understand that you are creating those symptoms you're worried about.
If you haven't done this program of CBT here, I urge you to jump into it. In the few short weeks I've been here doing the CBT, I've made great strides. The work seems to really engage your rational mind, challenging and replacing those irrational thoughts that drive a lot of the behavior you describe. It's not easy, but it's not overly difficult. All I can advise from a fellow panic suffer, is to do the CBT work with the same dedication you're using to monitor your health. Checking your pulse to see if it's elevated as a way to gauge an impending panic attack causes panic, because it requires the thought of an impending attack, and sets your mind on that fast track -- looking for supporting evidence that you're going to panic, instead of looking for reasons why you wont (or even avoiding the thought in the first place.)
I hope that was helpful in some way. I hope you feel better soon.
