Fear of dying and anxiety?

[Stryke2012]

Beginning January, 2016, I had at first what I thought was a heart attack. It suddenly felt like my heart had stopped then beat excessively hard, sped up, and then returned to normal. I immediately flew off my bed and called 911 and was brought via ambulance to the ER. Once in the ER, they did an EKG and it came back normal (except I was tachycardic). I was discharged home.
Beginning after that night, I began to incessantly worry about my health to the point where I was in and out of the emergency room every day or every other day (thinking I had some incurable disease that they had overlooked.)
Finally, I was prescribed Xanax, 0.25 mg, which has mildly helped to improve my anxiety but it's still there. Today, I am thought of as a 'regular' in the ER and each time they continue to tell me to take my Xanax and that nothing I have is life-threatening.
I do not agree with them and am currently seeing other specialists to rule out any other kind of health problem. Some days, my worry is less than others, but the worry is always there.

Some nights, I find it hard to sleep because I fear that I won't wake up and will leave my partner and my mom behind. This, ultimately, scares me more than death itself.

If anyone is feeling the same way and has any suggestions on how to help/cope, I would greatly appreciate it! :):)

[WorryWortAgain]

The Xanax is only a tiny bandaid. You need to see a psychiatrist and get on an SSRI. What you had is most likely a panic attack and you have HA symptoms. I can almost guarantee that within a month of taking medication you will feel 90% better. What you're going through right now is no way to live. Been there, done that.

[the_anxious_mind]

Agreed with WorryWort! What it sounds like is that you have been checked over and are checking out fine--but if you feel the need to spend money on specialists, you have the freedom to do that! But I have been in your shoes! I was hesitant and terrified to begin taking medicine for my health anxiety. I was almost 100% sure that there was something they just weren't catching. Blood work and other tests were always coming back clean but what else was there? Two word answer. Mental illness. Yes, I am sick. But not physically... Mentally. And I finally had to trust my doctors and seek help from a psychiatrist. I guarantee they will guide you in the right direction. They will analyze and talk with you about whats going on and decide where you want to go from there. You don't HAVE to turn to medicine--but I wish so dearly that I had 5 years ago when this all became very bad for me. I would have saved time, money, and countless hours worrying and being unhappy and scared to live my life. I can't dwell on those thoughts of course but I just want you to know that there is nothing wrong with being mentally ill, so don't discount that being an illness that you suffer from. I myself, was prescribed Lexapro (an SSRI, google if you aren't familiar, an anti depressant) and low dose Valium for times when I just can't cope. I am actually celebrating 1 month on Lex and I am so proud that I stuck with it. The path to healing isn't an easy one but it is necessary if you want to find recovery and better health. As always, don't take my advice as medical. If you really feel that there is something physically wrong, always seek help from a physician. Sending hugs to you!!!! x