Is this panic or what?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Is this panic or what?
6
Fri, 12-15-2006 - 5:21pm

One of the things I want to discuss with my therapist on Tuesday when I go in is that recently I've been handling things at work better--which is good. I feel like I'm more productive than I have been, and I've been friendlier and stuff with my coworkers. Also good. Very good considering that my job is still horrible and it's more stressful now than it ever has been.


A lot of times now when I'm home in the evenings, I feel like I can't breathe. Like when I inhale, I'm not getting enough air. I try to take deep breaths and I still can't get enough air, and then I end up coughing. I also have bad heartburn/acid reflux. I know my weight is a factor in that. I was on Nexium, but can't afford it anymore so I've been trying to control it with OTC acid reducers (i.e. Zantac). That's not working so well. I probably need to see my doctor and ask if there's a cheaper alternative to Nexium. Anyway, I can't decide if the breathing problems are panic attack symptoms or if the problems are caused by acid reflux and that I end up panicking because of the scary "not able to breathe--am going to die" feeling I get. I've had to start sleeping practically sitting up because I've been having trouble breathing at night. I know I'm overweight, but good LORD. I'm the same weight or weigh less than other overweight people I know.


This is a "Which came first? The chicken or the egg?" issue. Because the breathing thing comes and goes and most often happens at home, I'm inclined to think it's anxiety-related. Also, I have found that the breathing thing is alleviated if I take a Klonopin. However, the acid reflux thing has been getting increasingly worse since I had to stop taking Nexium and I could easily see how one could develop breathing issues if one's chest constantly feels like it's on fire and one eats acid-reducer pills like they're M&Ms.


Sorry to be all rambly, but it's Friday afternoon, I'm tired, and I had to take a Klonopin earlier so I could calm down and focus on my work.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2004
Fri, 12-15-2006 - 6:54pm

Hi Laura,

I have the same problems at night that you described and they came before my big anxiety issues. I've had sleep apnea, which I know is weight related. A year ago I started having a lot more problems, most severe at night, but anytime that I have spent most of the day home too.

I started taking Benedryl occasionally and doing everything I could to reduce allergens. I think dust mites are a big part of this problem for me. A lot of these steps like mattress covers, washing all the bedding frequently etc. seem to have reduced the severity of it for me...though is still a concern.

Since you had success on Nexium, it sounds like this is an allergy or maybe asthma problem? rather than just anxiety. But from what you describe, being untreated for the breathing issue is causing panic attacks. I hope you can get some meds or help for it.

Hugs,
Dee

Avatar for cricketvk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Fri, 12-15-2006 - 9:21pm

Hey Laura -

Well - let me add my opinion from experience.. :)

When my panic attacks were at their worst, I would be anxious during the day but when I got home I would go into full blown panic attacks.. it was like my body knew I was at home and I relaxed long enough to let the panic completely flood in.
I think that the breathing issue you are having is hyperventalation.. I would feel like I couldn't breath and would concentrate so hard on breathing deep that i'd cause myself to hyperventalate to the point my feet and hands would some times tingle and i'd feel like I was going to pass out - as well as coughing alot.. the more I'd concentrate on the breathing the worse it would get. The main reason that I think this is your issue - you said that it's alleviated by Klonopin.. Klonopin is a great drug and is eventually what helped make me virtually panic free for quite a while. if it was acid reflux causing the "shallow" breathing then klonopin wouldn't help it since klonopin does not affect acid that causes acid reflux. I do also know some people that have severe acid reflux and can sometimes feel like they can't take a deep breath.. but it's generally due to the fact that it burns and deep breathing doesn't help it and can make it seem worse at times.. I use the be scared to go to sleep when i felt like I couldn't breath because I was scared that I wouldn't wake up - I'd make myself exhausted and eventually fall asleep where my body would normalize out on it's own and my breathing would be fine.

When the breathing issue happens - do you sometimes feel like your head is spinning a bit when you close your eyes? that's what would happen to me and it was always the first thing that happened when i was at the beginning of a panic attack.

I know that Dee mentioned taking benadryl for the allergy side of it.. when i was pregnant with my daughter my OB had me take children's liquid benadryl when i would start to feel panicy and it being an antihistamine which also can slow down the bodys response to whatever is causing the reaction. The benadryl would calm me down and my breathing would return to normal - or i'd fall asleep from it and it would return to normal.

This sounds more like what is happening with you to me.. :)

Good Luck!

Valerie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Fri, 12-15-2006 - 11:06pm

You have had some great advice from Dee & Val. Without good control of your stomach acid problem, undoubtedly your reflux is triggering the breathing problems. Little amounts of the acid can easily slide into your throat & irritate the windpipe causing the breathless feeling & triggering a cough. Since I am asthmatic, I know all too well what happens when I don't take my pepcid(famotidine.) I am a wheezing mess & @ times have developed a dang good case of bronchitis. Not good, Laura):


The breathless feeling can be part of anxiety as well. I call it *ragged breathing.* It feels as if I can't breathe in a regular manner or take a deep breath. It has thrown me right into a full blown panic.


I know the meds are expensive. I also know that chronic irritation of the esophagus & the voicebox can lead to major problems. These things don't generally get better without treatment. Please check with your medical dr. Maybe you can get samples or into a drug program that will reduce your costs. For now, elevating the head of your bed on blocks will help as you sleep. Drink water to dilute the stomach acid. Good luck! Please take care of yourself. (((hugs))) jan

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Sat, 12-16-2006 - 8:30pm
I have the same breathing issues when I am anxious.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-09-2006
Sat, 04-07-2007 - 4:32pm

I came across this post as I was searching for answers. My breathing problems are the worst "symptom" for me. I haven't been diagnosed with anxiety disorder but I'm sure I have it. The breathing issues are really impacting my life - the rest of the stuff I've learned to live with.

My question to you is, when you go into anxiety and have trouble catching your breath (I feel like a fish out of water and yawn all the time), how long does it last for you? I can be like this for up to 2 weeks at a time. Right now I'm on about day 7 of this and I know I'm completely stressed. I took a Benedryl to try and get some sleep last night but now I'm just groggy and breathless!

Seeing my endocrinologist on Thurs and plan to discuss this with him. We thought getting my thyroid straighted out would take care of my anxiety and it did for a time but I recently had a miscarriage after IVF and the anxiety has been horrible ever since!

Barb

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Sat, 04-07-2007 - 9:54pm

Welcome, Barb:) I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your baby. Sending you my sincerist sympathy. That, along with other life changes is a known trigger for folks with anxiety issues.


This *ragged* breathing as I call it, can be very distressing. It has led me into thinking I had a serious health issue, though my tests have always been normal. It IS hard to cope with. Using belly breathing & daily meditation, I can usually get a handle on it. I try relaxing but if that doesn't work, keeping physically active or focusing on a mental task distracts me. In the past when the feelings have been intense, it