Suddenly felt like couldn't get air. Anyone with this

Posted , 4 users are following.

Hi

I went to the doc today to talk to him about this anxiety and depression, I was crying in his office, he thinks I def have depression and anxiety. He wants me to go talk to a psychologist and if needed go on meds. I have been having such anxiety I can't get it under control. He listened to my heart cause I was worried and he said it sounds good and he's going to get my artieries in the neck checked, coz of the sizzinezs although he said I don't think anything is wrong and it is your inner ear.

Anyway I went to the chiropractor today and I really didn't want to coz sometimes I feel dizzier, I always have anxiety going there and today after I left in my car I suddenly felt like I couldn't get air and felt lightheaded. I kept trying to get air in and it felt as if my chest couldn't expand my chest, but when it started I had like a burning on my upper stomach and thought oh my god it's the heart attack coz I've been under so much anxiety and stress that now I'm sure I'll have a heart attack. I do sometimes have the feeling like I can't expand my chest to get enough air, but this came on so fast I kept trying to breath but could only take small breathes and then felt lightheaded and thought I would have to stop the car, then I started talking to my self and the breathing got better. Now at home I can't stop thinking about it. Does anyone have this and does your mind have a hard time forgetting it? Do you pay attention to tour breathing after it?

Thanks

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Posted

    Don't worry, I get the same feeling. I've had my anxiety for about a year now and this has been a sensation that I've had. It can be hard to stop focusing on your breathing when you feel like you cant breath. I understand and it can suck. Something that works for me sometimes is a method that I read in a book. What you do is look for 5 things that you can see, hear, and touch. This is more of a technique to ground yourself. I notice that when I get the sensations of not being able to breath, that I get lost in my thoughts and images in my head. But if you can ground yourself, then you can start to think more rationally. Like I said, it sucks, and can be a reall pain. The thing is, you just have to trust your body that it can handle whatever sensation you are feeling. I know it's easier said than done, but you have to truse yourself in that you can get through it. Hope you start to feel better, and I'm positive that nothing is wrong with your heart. Good luck and if you ever want to talk more about this, feel to message me back. 
    • Posted

      Hi Michael

      Thanks for answering. You said you've been having anxiety for a year, do you take meds for? I've been having it real bad for about 2-3 months and I'm scared to death that it and the stress are going to stop my heart. Do you ever fear this? Do you have it everyday? I have anxiety now daily, and now the doc thinks depression. I don't know why but I'm scared of everything now. Just going to the chiro obviously is causing panic because I'm afraid of getting dizzy. So I guess if your having anxiety daily for a year don't you worry about its effects?

      I will be swing a psychologist in 2 weeks and hope I can get help

      Thank you again for listening

      Patty

    • Posted

      I have been taking meds for my anxiety. I take 2.5 mg of Valium every other day. I've been on this for about 2 months now. I try and take as little as possible. I've been told many times that the amount I'm taking will have no harm, but it still scares me a bit having to be on meds for a long time. I do worry about the future of my life. I have days where I'm afraid that I will never have my old life back. It can be hard. I use to have the fear of my heart stopping, but after seeing a cardiologist and taking a a stress test, It doesnt bother as much really. I will say most of my anxiety comes from health. I do sometimes feel as if something is wrong with me, but I guess I just have to trust my body in that it's ok. Also, thank you for responding to my post. Hopefully we can get better in time.
  • Posted

    I'm also terrified of having a heart attack from all the daily stress and I'm only 25. But I have developed gastritis and hypokalemia that the doctors believe were caused by my severe anxiety and panic disorder. I also have issues with the breathing. This morning I walked a short distance and was talking at the same time then noticed I was really out of breath and started panicking over it. It messed up my whole day because I felt like something was wrong with my lungs even though I went through all the tests for them in the past. It is a really scary thing, I just try to take slow, deep breaths in my nose and hold for 5 seconds then breathe out for 5 seconds and that helps.
    • Posted

      I have developed gastritis from my anxiety also. My Paxil quit working last July and I am just now going on fluoxetine 10mg, which is making me feel horrible. Been on Paxil 15 years so I know it'll take small decreases at a time. Having flulike symptoms from it. I'm on 45mg now and was on 50mg. I've also had to increase my clonazepam to 1 mg. I was only on .125mg. My Paxil pooping out has really ruined my life this past year. Thank God I don't work.
  • Posted

    You will feel better once you are on the right meds patty. Anxiety brings out all these extra tension symptoms.  Hope you feel better soon.

    rich

  • Posted

    Learn to belly breathe. Hyperventilation is extremly easy with chest breathing. Bellybio app can help teach you it correctly. It will feel weird a day or two but then then you will adjust. A deep breath your belly should fully expand not your chest. Hopefully that will help you out. Maybe a part of you doesnt like the chiropractor and feels its a bad idea. I used to get very panicky seeing this one specialist, horrible experience then my insurance would not accept him so i switched and i dont have the reaction anymore. I realized in hindsight i guess a part of me realized he wasnt the right fit for me.

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