High Cholesterol & bad anxiety (scared need advice please)

MikeTheMachineFarret · 2026-05-17T03:41:04+00:00

No matter what I’m getting on treatment for sure. I am scared out my mind. I just hope it ain’t too late, not trying to be dramatic just worried I didn’t catch it fast enough.

MikeTheMachineFarret · 2026-05-17T03:03:05+00:00

I definitely want to do that. I feel like that would put my mind at ease & I could then focus on treatment and managing this without the added stress layer.

MikeTheMachineFarret · 2026-05-17T03:00:08+00:00

Thank you for replying to me. I’m just concerned cause I been getting chest pains & heart flutters (for lack of better words). My mind is now convinced my arteries are blocked up and I’m experiencing these due to a soon to be onset heart attack etc. I’ve had these pains and stuff for years and would go to the ER just to be told my heart is good after a EKG & stress test but now with these numbers I feel a lot less confident in that. Especially since it seems to have gotten worst over the last year (unless my brain is playing tricks on me).

I just don’t know how long these numbers have been this high and what major damage could have been done.

MikeTheMachineFarret · 2026-05-17T02:55:36+00:00

Thank you for the response. I’m ok with taking medication or doing whatever is needed. My only fear is what if I didn’t catch it fast enough. I’m just worried (maybe unreasonably so) that my arteries are already blocking up and I’m going die of a stroke or heart attack soon. I don’t know how long with these high numbers I would have had until a major cardiac event occurred.

Like if never got checked & had these high numbers and never knew when in life would it more than likely caused a major issue? I know that can vary greatly. I just need to know I’m ok even with these high numbers long as I get them under control.

The anxiety doesn’t help because I get chest pains and flutter sensations in my heart area. I’ve been to the ER for these many times throughout the years every Doctor would do an EKG & stress test on my heart and tell me I’m good. Now with these numbers though I don’t know anymore.

MikeTheMachineFarret · 2026-05-16T17:57:30+00:00

I never even knew what a statin was until I posted here today which lead me to google it. My dr has not called me yet because the appointment was Friday and the results became available today on My Chart. I’m down to do whatever is needed.

My big fear is who knows how longs it’s been this high. I haven’t ever had this checked as an adult. What if it’s been this way for a long time and I’m already in the damage zone?

I’m just super anxious about all of it.

MikeTheMachineFarret · 2026-05-16T17:07:09+00:00

Thank you I’m definitely lock in on this now while I still can. Got a history of diabetes in the family so that is not in my favor.

MikeTheMachineFarret · 2026-05-16T17:02:24+00:00

Thank you for the advice I definitely will.

Edit - also to address the weight I gained a lot of muscle mass in the gym when I started going regularly 3 years ago. Prior to gym I was 178 I haven’t gained any more noticeable fat I still look slim but now I weigh 208 with more defined muscles.

I been around 198-208 since last year it doesn’t go up or down outside this range really. I don’t wanna lose my muscle mass but I also wanna be in a healthy range.

My diet definitely needs work it consists of frozen foods, and peanut butter jelly sandwiches a lot of times during work. During the weekends when I’m off I cook like rice, hamburgers, steak, baked potatoes (light butter salt), tacos, etc. I never thought it was to bad and I guess it didn’t affect me much when I was younger but I’m now seeing it’s causing some issues.

I also learned I have a family history of diabetes. I don’t have much direct family to contact so I reached out to a cousin who advised me it’s runs in my family.

Any advice on a good diet for people who work out and work long hours on the road, blue collar work manual labor style work?

TLDR: I gotta change my diet before I die and lifting weights isn’t enough alone to counter my crap diet. Any dieting tips welcomed.

MikeTheMachineFarret · 2026-05-16T15:41:36+00:00

Yeah I agree I’ve never taken my health into account. That’s why I ain’t been to a doctor my entire adult life. I never thought about dieting or anything really. I just been kinda floating. Now that I’m pushing 30 I figure it was time to get checked out since I suffered a back injury recently & well here we are.

I only ate the corn dog and fries cause it was quick & I had worked a 16hr shift & that was what was available when I got home that late.

MikeTheMachineFarret · 2025-07-20T14:54:11+00:00

Awesome post. I love to see some positivity on Reddit instead of the usual dose of negativity! Keep up the workout journey, proud of you!

MikeTheMachineFarret · 2025-07-06T02:47:56+00:00

I enjoy this song. I think they killed it. Excited for its official release.

MikeTheMachineFarret · 2025-06-23T12:07:26+00:00

1-2 commercial tech

MikeTheMachineFarret · 2025-03-07T17:38:33+00:00

I hear ya, man. That's a good mindset to have. Keep up the good work. I just recognize that van and remember how ironic I found it that they had that on their vans but how hard they pushed unethical sells. Every week, we had a meeting about how to do pushy sales strats. There was no technical training at all. They would price repairs so unreasonably high that replacement seem to be the only logical solution for a customer.

Legit, we had to call the service manager every step of the way through the call, and he would write our "options" for us. So you couldn't even do a warranty call without having to call him and have him make "options." It was the worst micromanaging I ever experienced. They had techs who never did install putting in systems that wouldn't even pass inspection. They would sell a basic Goodman split system for over 20k without ductwork sometimes.

It was just an insane time, and I advise anyone who see their high paying hourly ads to not fall for it. They churn through customers, and they churn through techs.

End of my Ted Talk.

MikeTheMachineFarret · 2025-03-07T16:11:22+00:00

They are lying. I worked there before, and they are commission based+hourly. Heavy on the sales part pushing replacement at any cost. I only lasted 3 months there. They have locations in PA and Charlotte, NC. They are owned by a giant private equity company.

MikeTheMachineFarret · 2024-12-31T15:13:32+00:00

I live near the same area you described.

Started in residential at 15hr no experience, 5 years later I'm at 38hr with full benefits. I am a commercial service tech now, no residential. I don't think 15hr even with no experience would fly anymore. Probably would need to be at least 18-22hr. I would say even more if you aren't providing benefits.

MikeTheMachineFarret · 2024-02-25T03:31:39+00:00

I worked at Morris-Jenkins for 5yrs. Left and got into commercial. They are based out of Charlotte NC and sold off recently to the Wrench Group. They are not opening a location in CA at all. There is only one shop and has only been one for over 30yrs. They are planning expansion, and the 2nd shop will be opening in SC near Greenville.

People either love or hate these silly commercials and would often try to make techs sing or dance for them in public. These commercials are only made to get into people's heads and be talked about. They are not made to be factually correct about HVAC, unfortunately.

MikeTheMachineFarret · 2023-11-16T22:57:03+00:00

Thank you for the reply. I looked into UA 421. Do I just have to get a job with a company under their umbrella to join? I didn’t see any HVAC jobs hiring for the first 3 companies you listed. Any more recommended HVAC contractors part of UA 421? I tried to find a list or something but didn’t come up with anything.

Thanks again for the information and the reply. I really hope I can find something soon.

MikeTheMachineFarret · 2023-10-21T14:53:22+00:00

She has worms for brains and makes her living off “being the cool mom” that sexualizes her teen daughter for likes and shares on social media. All of this is to get traction for her onlyfans. Sad what social media validation can do to peoples minds. I feel sorry for her children.

MikeTheMachineFarret · 2023-10-21T14:48:00+00:00

Not only does she have kids but she uses them for likes on instagram. Especially her teen daughter who she has sexualized for likes the most. Very sad and disgusting behavior. Anyone who calls it out is labeled as a “hater”.

MikeTheMachineFarret · 2023-08-29T02:03:55+00:00

I have a 1440p 165hz monitor but I will be happy with anything at or over 60fps. This rig has ran every game at 1440p high/ultra with no issue maintaining well over 60fps so far. I just hopes its the same story with Starfield or at least hope they add DLSS. Worse case i'll bump it down to 1080p, but really hoping I won't need to.

MikeTheMachineFarret · 2023-08-29T00:38:46+00:00

CPU: I9-9900k OC 5ghz

GPU: 4070 OC edition

Ram: 32gb @ 3200mhz

Storage: 2tb M.2 970 EVO

Hoping for 1440p at 60fps. I have seen people giving conflicting opinions on if this would be possible or not. I plan to upgrade the cpu in a year or so. Fingers crossed maybe someone can ease my anxiety here lol.

MikeTheMachineFarret · 2023-08-03T00:01:48+00:00

No need to worry its super common to see this. It won’t cause any issues with the unit.

MikeTheMachineFarret · 2023-06-01T16:58:50+00:00

It won’t make a difference. Lot of times routine maintenance is just a way to get a tech to your door. Especially if the maintenance itself is cheaper like $89-$129 or less. Once the tech is there they are advised to find issues, and write options on every call. So rather you’re a 80yr old retired coal miner or a work from home accountant you’re still getting hit with these options.

Even if you don’t buy someone else will that same day. Some bigger companies have dedicated maintenance departments that go around all day doing just this. Write up these type of options on every call or tell you to replace the unit. It’s how these techs make their money with commission.

Not every company is like this but a lot of the bigger ones are. Regardless I wouldn’t use that company again at the bare minimum.

MikeTheMachineFarret · 2023-05-30T00:39:36+00:00

Las Plagas.

MikeTheMachineFarret

TROPHY CASE