Anxiety levels

[lpeep]

I have really been doing good lately, until the last day or so. Horrible panic attack last night, insomnia kicked in. Woke up groggy and extremely irritable, did not want my boyfriend at home so I made him go somewhere, then I started feeling panicky and lonely. Different thoughts running through my head, what if something happened to me while he was gone. Tried distracting myself, but it has not helped, want to just get away from the house, but yet I don't want to leave. Exhausted, but I cannot sleep. Snapping at everyone, even if they look at me the wrong way. Medication is not working, and I refuse to go to the hospital for fear of being labeled as a "mental case". I am on low dose 0.25mg Xanax already, doctor told me I can increase it to .50mg, if I am having a hard time. But I just can't do it, I am afraid that it will cause medical problems. I have tried different meds, but was allergic to them. This started when I got my ldl cholesterol results back and it was at 100. I received them in my email, so I can't call my doctor until Monday. I am already taking a med for it. I am scared something will happen. I have not told my family about the level and not sure what to do.

[StarryNight72]

Hi Lpeep,

I’m sorry you are having a rough day. I have anxiety too and I can so relate to your post. Last night was a bad night for me too, panic attacks waking me up at 2:00 am. As I’m sure you know, anxiety is a horrible liar. Mine tells me all the time how dangerous and unsafe EVERYTHING is. From food, to leaving the house, to leaving my bed, to taking a shower, to taking a medication. When I was on benzos my doctor said the same thing, that I could up it if I needed to, but I was too scared to ever try that. I can feel how distraught and irritated you are and I wish I could give you some comfort. I’m a nurse and my license will not allow me to give medical advice to you but here’s what I will say. Hypothetically, an LDL of 100 is not terrible. I don’t know your medical history, and this in no way constitutes medical advice, but if you were my family member, I would tell you not to worry. If there is anything I can do to help you today, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

[lpeep in reply to StarryNight72]

Actually the response about my ldl helped alot, it is amazing how just one thing can trigger major panic attacks. I was too afraid to look it up on the internet.

[Hidden]

I have the same problem, when my anxiety is acting up and I don’t sleep well, the next day I’m a wreck. It’s the worst feeling, heavy head, blurry eyesight, very irritable as well. I’ve also had the feeling that everything is not safe and wanting a safe place to be then feeling like I’m not safe in my own skin. Talk about torture. My heart goes out to all of us suffering. I also don’t think 100 cholesterol is that bad, and it can be reversed as well. It takes years for cholesterol to cause any real problems. Are you on an SSRI or something other than Xanax?

[lpeep in reply to Hidden]

i am taking simvastin for my cholesterol, they lowered my dosage a year ago, because it dropped too low. As for the anxiety meds; I have numerous allergies and most of them fall into my allergy range. I was on Ativan which was working great until my tongue swelled and was placed back on the xanax. The .50mg is too much and the .25mg is not enough.