1. Community
  2. Chest and lungs
  3. Asthma

Fear of an attack

Posted , 6 users are following.

tinytitch22
tinytitch22

Since being diagnosed with anxiety/panic attacks and asthmalast year, I live in fear of an attack.

I think it's due to not being 100% certain of the signs and symptoms of an asthma attack compared to that of a panic attack - is anyone able to help?

Also if it is asthma and I don't have an inhaler with me will I die?

My life has changed so much and I just want to go back to being 'normal' and knowing how to cope.

I wake up every morning dreading the day ahead and its impacted so much on my personal and working life.

I feel like I'm losing everything - my self, my confidence, my relationships with family and friends, my job etc

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • kai86
    kai86 tinytitch22

    Posted

    Having had asthma all my life and also experiencing servere anxiety for a few years, I know the signs and symptoms can be very similiar, but a few things to consider:

    - what came first? the asthma, or the panic? If you notice your chest is tight (or you are wheezing for example) and then you start to panic, it's likely that your asthma is playing up. If you start to panic for no reason and then notice asthma-like symptoms, it could be caused by anxiety.

    - is there any wheezing present? if so, it's probably asthma. If not then the unpleasent sensations could be due to hyperventilation which is basically caused by overbreathing too much oxygen (VERY common in people with anxiety). Research it.

    - it's possible to experience asthma symptoms and remain calm (but asthma it's self can lead to feeling very anxious, which confuses things)

    - have you ever had a full blown asthma attack? Being diagnosed with asthma doesn't mean you are guranteed to experience one

    - in my experience panic attacks last longer and are more fightening. Also if it's an asthma attack, using the reliever usually helps within about 10-15mins and everything calms down after then.

    Judging from your comments, your problem here is the anxiety (dreading the day ahead, losing confidence, wanting to be normal etc). Are you getting help with this?

    And yes, an asthma attack could potenially kill you. But it depends on how severe your asthma is. 

     

    • tinytitch22
      tinytitch22 kai86

      Posted

      Thank you so much Kai for your message.

      I am a natural worrier which probably doesn't help and I don't recall ever experiencing any wheezing which I thought then meant I didn't/don't have asthma.

      My breathing has been an issue for a while and I have started doing some breathing techniques to try and refocus my brain to breathe again correctly. I'm still practising this so hopefully in time things will get better.

      Touch wood I have never had a full below attack. Tonight I did take my reliever though which left me slightly shaky and a racing heart - again I don't know if it was a side effect.

      I have got a cough too which isn't helping matters.

      I am currently having CBT to try and help me and am due to see the asthma nurse on Thursday.

      Can I ask you a question (and apologies if it sounds stupid) but if I take the reliever - 2 puffs and it's still no better in 10-15 minutes can I take another 2? If so how long can I continue doing this before knowing that I need help?

    • kai86
      kai86 tinytitch22

      Posted

      Yeah a lot of the confusion with anxiety/asthma comes from the fact that poor breathing can cause both. On the plus side, breathing techiques can also help with both! Check out the 'Buteyko' breathing method. Have a go on the 'exercises to reverse mouth breathing' part, and see how long you can hold your breath.

      Using your reliver can give you those symptoms, I get it if I have to use mine too much. And yeah you can use it again in about 10-15mins if you need to. If you are really struggling for breath and the reliver isn't helping (I believe they say you can use it upto 10 times (2 puffs each time), you should get medical assistance. However if the reliver isn't working, maybe it's not the asthma...But play it safe!

      Unfortunately the link between asthma and anxiety isn't something all GP's are aware of. And good luck with the CBT, that should definitely help! Make sure you make the asthma nurse aware of your anxiety and see if she can advise further.

      Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the link as it was to a site unsuitable for inclusion in the forums. Users can Google the term.

    • jay7196
      jay7196 kai86

      Posted

      You can use an inhaler up to TEN TIMES x 2 ?? ARE YOU A DOCTOR kai86 ? My moderate use over the years of asthma medicaments has given me atrial fibrilation. Where is a moderature now to correct this lethal advice from kai86 ???
  • PhilB2389
    PhilB2389 tinytitch22

    Posted

    Hi tinytitch22, I have had asthma since I was 2 now 26.  I hadnt had an attack since I was 12 until last year, I noticed before hand that I had pains in my chest, shortness of breath and found it difficult to do simple things such as walking up stairs without getting breathless.  Then when I had the attack I couldn't breath at all and my chest felt as if someone was crushing my chest.  I had my inhaler at the time and was able to get passed it with it.  I have had an attack before and not had my inhaler, all I could do was try and remain calm and try my hardest to breath but I was able to get an inhaler quite quickly.

    Hope this helps

    • tinytitch22
      tinytitch22 PhilB2389

      Posted

      Hi Phil

      Thanks for replying and telling me your story. It's reasuring to know that even though I've been diagnosed as asthmatic it doesn't necessarily mean I'm going to have an attack, and even if I do, they don't have to occur that often.

      I have started carrying my inhalers everywhere with me and have asked for a couple more so I can leave them places I.e at work in my drawer, in my handbag etc

      Hopefully as times goes on, I'll become more conscious of the symptoms and less fearful of having it.

    • PhilB2389
      PhilB2389 tinytitch22

      Posted

      Hi,

      Having them handy in various places is good idea I always have one in the car and at work.

      As I said before I have had asthma for years and have never had any issues controlling it still very able to continue play sports I enjoy, I've always been told swimming is good for asthmatics. The thing I have always noticed with my asthma any way is that an attack will not randomly happen you will always have signs maybe a day or two before it happens.

      For example the last one I had I was having bad chest pains for weeks before and developed a really bad cough a found walking up the stairs would take my breath away. Turned out a had pneumonia and the attack was because of that.

      I've always said take you inhalers when your meant to and go to regular asthma clUnicode appointments and you will be able to manage it easily.

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.