Colds making hyperventilation worse

[Rennie1989]

Hiya

My panic attacks are always caused by hyperventilation, especially when in an environment where there is lack of oxygen (ie the London Underground .... ).

I have this cold at the moment (again!) and my throat is plemgy (sp? pleigm-ey ... something like that) and my nose is blocked up. I'm not having a panic attack but on occasions I get a little worried that I'm suffocating and start to hyperventilate slightly.

Do you guys get this too ?

[Jimbo]

I get this too, with my panic attacks I often feel like I can't breath or get enough air in, and of course then hyperventilate. Over the last week I've had a bit of a cough and flemmy like you (it might be from smoking too much). It does seem to make it worse, maybe just because it gives me more reason to worry about my breathing I think.

I was on the underground recently for the first time in ages, the air down there is awful! Glad I don't live in London and have to deal with those tubes all the time, they are anxiety inducing enough for so many reasons, let alone the air!

Jim