new member - horrid panic attack this morning

[petals]

Hi everyone

Been reading this forum for a while but thought I would post my experiences after my panic attack this morning. A bit of background...after a horrible bout of bronchitis a year and a half ago I have experienced wheezing. This has settled down a lot thanks to a Salbutamol puffer from the doctor. The only problem I do have now is every single night I wake up (various times of the night) wheezy. I then take my puffer and fall back to sleep. When my alarm goes off and I get up, sometimes I take the puffer again if i feel wheezy, or sometimes just have a coughing session in the shower. I have recently had a chest xray and a asthma test but both thankfully all clear.

This morning (after the usual overnight wheeze) I got up quite ok and walked to the tube station with my boyfriend. I usually get the bus but we felt like the walk. Anyway, I suppose we were walking quite fast and I was getting quite out of breath. Half-way to the station I felt myself finding it very very difficult to breath. I was getting very hot and felt frightened. Then I got the urge that I needed the toilet very badly. We got down to the station platform and I was feeling awful, still couldn't breath right and felt slightly disorientated, chest extemely tight etc. My boyfriend was trying to make me feel better but I couldn't control it. We got on the train and eventually after about 20 minutes I calmed down and got to work ok.

I felt like an absolute fool. I apologised to my boyfriend on the phone later as I felt awful (as he was a bit apprehensive himself about starting training in his job today). He told me not to worry but I can't help it. I feel so silly.

I think this all comes down to the fact that I am obsessed with my breathing at night/first thing in the morning. I have developed a deep anxiety about it and I am now sure that waking in the night is my anxiety.

I saw a specialist a while ago who said that I had allergic rhinitis as I used to get severe blocked nose. What was strange is that as soon as this cleared up, the wheezing started (I was convinced the nose spray caused it!) I don't know what to do anymore except go to the doctor, but I do realise I have a strong health anxiety. I did read on this site about Bach Night Remedy which I might pick up on the way home tonight.

I just want a good nights sleep! Anyone's help/advice would be appreciated.

Pam

[bottleblond]

Hi Pam

Like you, i am obsessed with my breathing. As soon as i start to get out of breath, i start to panic and have to calm myself down. It's a horrid feeling.

Wheezing can also be cause by a build up of phlem in the tubes so maybe you could try some steam inhailations before going to bed at night to see if it clears it a bit.

I hope things improve for you soon

lisa
xx
:hugs:

[racdun]

If you look up the butekyo method of breathing or www.asthmacare.ie (http://www.asthmacare.ie) you will get loads of info on correcting breathing. You sound as if you are overbreathing which causes the coughing and wheezing. I just did a course with my 9 year old on it for his mild asthma symptoms. If you contact Patrick Mckeown through the above website he will inform you of any instructors that might be in your area of a course he may have coming up.
Take care
Rachael

[petals]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Lisa, yep I guessed it is to do with a build up of phlegm as I smoke (!) and I know that makes it worse.

Thanks for the website on the butekyo breathing Rachael. I have heard of that before and will definitely look into it. I bought Bach's Rescue Remedy Night to help me sleep as I always wake up without fail around 4/5am. I've used this stuff the last couple of nights but it hasn't really done anything yet. Hopefully it just takes a few days to kick in properly.

I have noticed though that since the attack on Tuesday, it has brought the realisation of my anxiety to the forefront and has made me see it is all in my head and mind over matter. This in itself has calmed me down a bit I think. Plus the last few days have been busy for me and now I am just looking forward to the Easter break to chill out and relax.

What bugs me is that my mum has quite a few health problems but she also has a lot of responsibilities with my dad (who also has health problems). But she doesn't worry about herself, she just gets on with things, if she feels a bit rough she just goes "oh well" and carries on. I need to be like that!!

Pam x