Breathing Difficulties / Health Anxiety

[Lofty2314]

Hi,

Going back a couple of years ago now I had a severe panic attack, the first I'd ever really had and I haven't been the same since, I've had difficulty breathing with really shallow breathing and sometimes gasp for air like I can't get the oxygen down through my throat to my stomach with ease and then back up and out again, it's like I've forgotten how to breath normally and of course when it happens I freak out that somethings wrong with me and it makes it worse I panic and can't control it at all. I have been to 2/3 different GPs, been checked for a hiatus hernia, had Asthma / allergy tests, blood tests, scans, the lot yet everything has come back fine not one doctor has been overly concerned and said my results look good I'm all clear yet I am still convinced something severe is wrong with me and can't get it out of my head. Has anyone else experienced anything like this before or currently dealing with something similar? I feel so trapped and just want my breathing and life to return to normal without living in fear.

I feel like medication may be the next step as I've seen a psychologist about it a while back and openly discussed it with a couple of people the doctors included and tried some natural remedies but nothing seems to fix it although I have had a couple of good patches where it's completely gone for a bit I've returned to normal and forgotten I even had the problem but it always seems to return like something is triggering it which leads me to believe it's severe anxiety. my throat feels closed over, I have difficulty swallowing food, feel uptight in the chest and uneasy/irritable constantly!

Please help!

[Missbexy40]

Hi Lofty2314, I'm so sorry to hear about your anxiety. I understand how debilitating it can be, I've had anxiety in one form or another since I was a teenager - I'm now 40. Over the years, it has come and gone with it being at its worst after the birth of my first child. I was so anxious that I would die and leave him motherless. I would have panic attacks and felt like I couldn't breathe. I did see a psychologist but that didn't really help me. I get heart palpitations which very much freak me out but after having tests, I know that there isn't anything wrong with my heart. I have just started a new thing, not being able to get a deep breath sometimes. It freaks me out when it's happening but I just tell myself it's my anxiety and I can ride it out. I know it's much easier said than done but I have found that reminding myself that it is just anxiety over and over again does help me lessen the symptoms. I do try and avoid situations where I get anxious like catching public transport, going to see concerts/movies, flying which has diminished my life somewhat especially when I think of my kids missing out.

I was diagnosed with Helicobacter Pylori last year after stomach issues and have read many studies which link this bacteria with anxiety as well as digestive issues i.e. heartburn, indigestion, nausea etc. Perhaps ask for a blood test just in case ?

Just remember, your mind is an amazingly powerful thing and can be used for or against you. When anxiety takes hold, I really concentrate on reminding myself that it is just anxiety and I will NOT let it win. Just to prove this, I have a fear of vomiting so, because of mind over matter, I haven't vomited in 20 years - even after 4 pregnancies & childbirth !!!! THAT'S how powerful our minds can be. Meditation or mindfullness can also work , mu husband does yoga deep breathing when he doesn't feel well and he says it works really well for him.

I wish anxiety didn't exist but it does. I refuse to let it run my life but sometimes I lose that battle. Some days are better than others....