Breath again

[CrossingTheWater]

I'm going to die. I've had this for 6 days now, but this time it's even worse. I kept being woken up because I couldn't breathe. It's laboured and difficult, and it feels as if I could breathe out forever (far more than normally) but I can't breathe in at all. Is this asthma?

I was going to write this in the thread I already had going, but I couldn't find it!

[amandaj]

hi your not going to die , i get this everyday and night also its horrible and scary ,but after nearly a year of it im still about , i know it feels like your gonig to die but your not honestly i could of wrote this post myself if need to talk can always pm me

amanda

[CrossingTheWater]

Thanks, but I am dying. Can't breathe at all. Terrified. Dizzy, lightheaded. Asthma attack?

[Pickle]

Hi, you really aren't going to die. Yes, at this moment it really feels like it but that is just the nature of the beast.

I get asthma and panic attacks and believe me, you would know the difference. Asthma isnt laboured breathing, it's like fighting for a breath thro a straw.

It may be hyperventilation - try either breathing into a paper bag until you feel your breathing is returning to normal or sit down and bend your body over your knees and breath for a few breaths (trick taught to me by my doctor)

I know it's scary, but you really wont die - this is something most of us have suffered with at some time or another, and we are all still here.

Take care and let us know how you get on

[CrossingTheWater]

I was hyperventilating. Managed to stop it, thank goodness!

It does feel as though I'm fighting for breath through a straw! Is there anything else that will distinguish between asthma and a panic attack? Anything that only happens with asthma etc?

Thanks again.

[Pickle]

Well done for coping and getting thro the hyperventilation - nasty symptom isn't it.

I found these links on the internet, they might help you

Asthma http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/M...ts/asthma.html

Hyperventilation http://search.bupa.com/cgi-bin/query...perventilation

Altho both present with short breaths you will see that it is for entirely different reasons

Take care and well done again

[Mikke]

Well, this is not high season for asthmaproblems. If you didn't have these problems in june and july, you are not likely to have them now if you are asthmatic.
And - most importantly, the part of asthma that most often leads to sensations of breathing difficulties are coughing. And this is not just a couple of small coughs, we are talking about some very nasty attacks of coughing with a lot of slime that contribute to obstruct your airways as well.

AND just as important - most people with asthma have more problems breathing out than breathing in.

[Anxious_gal]

next time you hyperventilate try holding your breath! believe me it will help just count to ten! i learned this from a friend when i was 12! i have always found this helpful.
also breath into a paper bag, or cup your hands over your mouth