I am a 20+ year sufferer of anxiety disorder. About 15 years ago, I had to come off of a severe addiction to ativan because the doctor I was seeing had me taking it for four years. over the years, I have had more tests than anyone I know for heart, stroke, and every other problem. I smoked for 25 years, and had a severe sugar problem (soft drinks, etc.)
Now, at 39 years old, I have been found to have a very high triglyceride level and was in the hospital. The doctors tested my heart, and for stroke as I was having bad dizziness and chest pains. (like usual with anxiety disorder) While in the hospital, they told me I needed to go on some meds for the triglycerides, but I can not because they mess up my liver. (i previously tried Lipotor and tricor) I was told that diet and exercise would not be enough. The other problem is I have no health insurance so I can not pay to monitor my liver levels if I go on the meds. (if I found a way to get the meds and one that would work)
The way the doc talked, i am a walking time bomb, and that just played my generalized anxiety disorder to the hilt. I am afraid I am dying every day. I have quit smoking, cut out fat, cut out sugar, and caffeine. I am exercising daily.
I am only slightly overweight. 6 feet 1 inch and 200 pounds.
From the way he spoke, my triglyceride level of 800 (not fasting when tested) can not be taken care of without the meds. Due to this, I am reading every little pain as the onset of a heart attack. Previous to this, I was doing great with my Generalized anxiety without meds due to the addiction I went through. i learned cognitive therapy and so forth.
I have a horrible fear of death, as my little girls are only six. I feel as though my symptoms are heart attacks, and if I run to the emergency room every time I feel them I would be there constant. What if one of these times really is due to my triglyceride levels. Or a stroke? i do not know what to do.
I have no idea whether it is my anxiety or the death of me, and I feel like I am right back where i started with the anxiety though I know I am a bit smarter now. But this is kicking my tail.
Any advice, or thoughts would be appreciated.
My tests in the hospital were an EKG, MRI (head) MRA (head) brain wave test - carotid echo - cardiac blood tests and monitering - and numerous other blood tests
All came back normal.
what to do?