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Fear of an attack

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tinytitch22
tinytitch22

Hello.

Can I just apologise first for this long message and also please don't think I'm stupid.

I was diagnosed with asthma about 6 months ago when I was getting breathless and tight chest; however as I started suffering with really bad anxiety and panic attacks the doctors (and me) wasn't sure if it was actually asthma or a physical symptoms of my anxiety/panic attacks.

I was given a preventer and normal inhaler to use but I never did. Probably because part of my anxiety is I'm scared that taking medicine when not needed is dangerous.

Today however I went to the doctors as I've had a cough for some weeks now and she said she could hear wheezing on my chest, which apparently means it's asthma.

She told me I need to use my inhalers for 2 weeks and then go back.

She told me to use the inhalers with this adaptor thing (which I haven't got).

My fear now is:

1. Does wheezing really mean it's asthma

2. What happens if I don't take my inhalers (I'm scared to use them for 2 reasons - I don't have the adaptor thing and also apparently they increase your heart race (I already suffer with tachycardia so don't really want it increasing even more)

3. How will I know if I'm actually having an asthma attack 

I'm just so scared and worry about everything so this is adding to my anxiety.

Please could someone help me.

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Vee123
    Vee123 tinytitch22

    Posted

    Hi there tinytitch,

    Sorry to read you are having breathing issues and anxiety and panic attacks. Ive had all three and more, so I know how scary it is.

    Can I ask..had you been doing aything prior to your breathing issues? Ie  cleaning your oven ..or using an cleaning products. .poisening weeds in your garden or maybe some event at work?  I am just curious about the *cause* of your breathing issues  ( this is something I was never asked by my 6 GPs as they thrust inhalers at me).

    I built a website about RADS..this is what I was eventually diagnosed with... and it has some good information in regard to panic attacks and breathing issues. Feel free to have a read and I hope it is of use to you.

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/asthma-occupational-rads-iia-40347

    I researched and found natural remedies which helped me and I sure hope you are able to find the same. Maybe you could also consult a natrapath. 

    I certainly hope you find the help you need. 

    Oh when I was first having all three issues I bought a small hand steamer... it was.a great relief to my breathing issues and it calmed me down ...not super hot water in the steamer...just enough to omit a small amount of syeam.Later I realized...I just needed CLEAN AIR to breath ...and I was fine!   I even went to a scuba dive shop at one point and they let me inhail clean air from their tank and BINGO ..thats when I realized clean air was part of what I needed. 

    Anyhow...thats some of my journey and I certainly wish you well with yours.

    • tinytitch22
      tinytitch22 Vee123

      Posted

      Hello

      I'm not sure of my trigger points as such - before it was the fear of leaving the house, then it was when I was talking and walking and now it could be even when I sit down.

      I don't use chemicals as part of my job, I work in an open plan office. 

      I wish the solution for me could be fresh air in which case I would move to the coast and not this busy city.

    • Vee123
      Vee123 tinytitch22

      Posted

      Hi tinytitch ... maybe a nice trip away to the coast would be a wonderful thing ... breathing in that sea air can do wonders for people :-)   ... glad to read you don't work with chemicals :-)  

      I hope you find some relief to your symptoms and check online for breathing techniques ... there are many on youtube for asmatha which may be of help and as Mike suggested seeing an asthma nurse is a great idea as well.

      Also .. I created a "Calm Plan" for myself which helped me .. I printed out photos I thought were calm scenes (like  forest...beach etc) ... put them on my fridge and then wrote down a few steps .. like  1/  I would turn on a certain tape of music I had that was my CALM MUSIC .. then I would get a chair and sit and look at the photos and take long calm deep breaths ..while listening to my music  2/ imagine you are at these places and think about the smells and the colours  ... 3/  Once I was calm enough I would put the kettle on and make a cup of tea or fill up my hand steamer... 4 / slowly inhale the warm steam as needed and sit back and look at my favoutire photos.

      It takes practice and I hope you come up with a method that helps you with your anxiety ... It's all up to you.

      All the best

  • amanda75990
    amanda75990 tinytitch22

    Posted

    Hi, if you mean a 'Spacer' by the adapter then you can stil use the inhalers, bt you need good technique to ensure you get as much of the dose apossible. I use a spacer as i find it easier. With the preventer (steroid) inhaler I havn noticed any increase of heart rate, but the reliever (blue one) can make me feel shaky when I need to use more puffs. The theory is that by using the preventer twice daily it should mean you wont need to use the reliever much at all once the asthma is under control. Everybody has different symptoms during an exacerbation , mine is coughing ant tight chest but I think you'd know if you were having an attack - breathing would be difficult  - you wont be able to speak a full sentence, might be wheezing or coughing pretty much non stop. its very tiring when it happens and in a very bad one I think you'd need medical help. Hope that helps a bit :-) Asthma is very unpredictable, specially this time of year (need to see my asthma nurse tomorrow if she has an appoimtment as mines got worse today and I dont want to get really bad before Christmas)
    • tinytitch22
      tinytitch22 amanda75990

      Posted

      Thanks for replying.

      I did mean the spacer and I think I do need it as when I had practises in the doctors surgery I wasn't using the pump correctly I.e breathing out too much of the dosage etc

      I was told to use the preventer twice a day and the blue one 4 times a day (and it's because of how many times and the side effects that I'm scared).

      I just don't know how the inhalers will stop the wheezing - do you know if it will help?

      I was told to do it for 2 weeks and then go back for them to see if the wheezing has got better:worse and if they need to recommend anything else.

      I get really scared about all health things and even though it sounds really pathetic, being diagnosed with asthma has worried me so much. I feel like a ticking bomb about to go off and that I'm going to have an attack, not be able to control it and the worse being I'll die.

      I'm not sure what the possibilities of that happening are but due to my anxiety/panic attacks that's how my mind works.

      Sorry to hear your asthma has got worse - I hope you're ok x

  • Jan999
    Jan999 tinytitch22

    Posted

    Hello. I got my spacer on prescription. Ring your GP surgery and ask for a prescription.
    • tinytitch22
      tinytitch22 Jan999

      Posted

      Thanks, I will ask for one. Hopefully I won't have to wait 2 working days for it.
  • mike1959
    mike1959 tinytitch22

    Posted

    I really think you should ask to talk to an asthma nurse as they are specialy trained to teach new asthmatics all about their asthma control and how and when to use your inhalers, as well as good health techequs about breathing well?.

    I hardly need to use my reliever inhaler (the one your frightend of using as sometimes it can make your heart to race a little, if at all), as I'm very particular about using my preventer inhaler morning and bedtime, plus exercise  (regular exercis is very good for asthma), plus using good healthy breathing (like breathing through a warm scarf on windy and cold days, and I often wear a face musk when in traffic fumes), and of course staying well especially through cold damp winters..

    You might even get away without using a reliever inhaler (the one your frightend of) just by staying well and using good breathing techniques.? Breathing in warm steamy air and slowing your breathing rate can be good to relieve congestion and clear your lungs..

    But the big thing is learning to relieve your stress and anxiety, both bad for asthmatics.. Take time to learn Relaxation/meditation technequs or yoga, even a good hot can do wonders for stress.. But you need to take time out at least 2 - 3 times a week and practice them, likewise regular exercise as well.. Asthma is only a serious illness if you let it, then you'll need to use the reliever inhaler more and more..

    Be well Tinttitch and talk to an asthma nurse as soon as you can, they are very supportive and very knowledgeable people wink

    • mike1959
      mike1959

      Posted

      Ops, should read: even a good hot 'bath'  can do wonders for stress......
    • tinytitch22
      tinytitch22 mike1959

      Posted

      Mike, thank you so much for your message.

      I think I get myself into a vicious cycle when it comes to my health and even though I don't want to be negative it seems that I am.

      I've been going back and forth to the gp about my panic attacks and anxiety and I feel bad for keep going there.

      Maybe seeing the asthmatic nurse might be good as she might be able to help me to see if it is asthma or my anxiety which sometimes causes the breathlessness.

      My concern at the moment is that currently I have wheezing on my chest. If I don't take my inhalers will it get worse or will it go away? 

      I'm in 2 minds as to what to do.

      When you say exercise what type do you do? Before I use to love to run but now I fear that it will cause an attack so I've stopped doing it. Also I'm unable to swim sad

      I do have a lot of stress but I didn't realise it could be linked.

      Thanks for the advice about a scarf - I never though of using one.

      I really appreciate you taking the time to reply.

  • amanda75990
    amanda75990 tinytitch22

    Posted

    Hi again, am hoping that you might have your spacer now and that its helping you use the inhaler. From my own experiences I'd say the inhaers do help, each in their own way. Preventer is really important and if used correcly will greatly reduce the frequency the reliever is needed (most of the time). I find winter a lot harder with colds and viruses about . Let us know how you go wont you :-) An asthma nurse is a very good idea too, I know someone mentioned that earler...
    • tinytitch22
      tinytitch22 amanda75990

      Posted

      Hello

      I did manage to get a spacer which I was pleased about. I have yet to use it though as the wheezing has now gone off my chest.

      I haven't seen the asthmatic nurse yet but I'm planning on making an appointment to see her.

      Thanks for your help and advice, I really appreciate it x

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