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Anxiety and Breathing

coltsfan715

New member
Hey guys,

Terri (kayleesgrandma) and Seana has already heard a bit of this cause I was up and talking to her a bit last night. I was just wondering what you guys thought.

Last night I did my meds and went to bed at around 1 am or 1:30 am. I slept for a few hours then woke up to hange positions at about 3:30am. I felt short of breath like I couldn't get enough air in to live pretty much. I started to panic and sat up hoping to breath easier. I was okay once I did that. Tried laying down again and felt like I couldn't breathe again. I ended up having a mild anxiety attack thinking that if I laid down I wouldn't be able to breathe and would in turn die. I got up and sat online from about 3:45 to 4:45/5am.

During this time I did my vest hoping to loosen stuff that may be blocking some airways - didn't notice a real difference in breathing. I did feel a little gassy and kept burping - like little mainly just air burps no real noise. I started getting tired so thought I would lay back down. I did and started having the same problem - I couldn't breathe well. I tried laying at an incline and it was even worse. Once again started having anxiety. I then decided I would try my aerosol (just albuterol) I did that and laid down and felt a little better but not too too much. I then tried to just focus on my breathing and counting in to the count of 3 and out to the count of 3. I ultimately did fall asleep at about 6 am - after about 20 minutes of coughing and blowing my nose - I am contributing the coughing to my vest and breathing treatment.

My question is do any of you have this problem. I know some people always say they wake up with difficulty breathing and such so that I am sure is somewhat normal. I am meaning anxiety like you are going to die if you go to sleep. Or that you will not get enough air in your sleep and something bad will happen. I have tried calling the doc and am waiting for them to call back I was hoping I could get in to see them and have them tell me either yes something is wrong or to reassure me that I am fine and it is all in my head. This is the 2nd or 3rd time I have had this feeling - in recent weeks/months. This is the first time that I haven't been able to lay down and let it pass though. The first 2 times I felt like I would die if I went to sleep but I was able to remain in bed - even though it took 1 1/2 hours for the feeling and panic to pass it did pass. Last night it just seemed like everytime I laid down my body was fighting me and telling me to sit up "or else".

Just looking for some advice on how to handle this in case the doc isn't able to see me today. I don't want to have this happen again tonight. To add: I did sleep well once I fell asleep, but I had that same "I can't breathe" feeling periodically through the night when I would wake up to turn over just nothing as severe as the first time. I have also had this feeling when I was sitting in the recliner this afternoon. I was reclined back and felt like I was going to die if I didn't sit up or get up and walk. I am a bit freaked out by this as I am not having any symptoms of illness of anything. I have been feeling pretty good lately and this just hit out of nowhere.

Thank you for reading my babble if you don't have any advice to share, and if you do have advice thank you for that as well.

Lindsey
 

Asexyblond23

New member
I myslef have never woke up having trouble breathing but i have had a ton of anexity attacks. I actually have anexity disorder now. What you are explaning sounds just like when I start having alot of anexity and sometimes it will lead into a panic attack where I feel like I cant breathe at all, I start to sweat, my body tingles and feels like to goes numb and I tink I am going to die. Its all anexity. Are you on any meds for anexity? If not then maybe your doc can prescribe you like some xanaz for when you have times like that, just to keep on hand. It makes a world of diff and calms you down and helps you feel normal again!
 

thelizardqueen

New member
What you're talking about does sound like a panic attack. I've been diagnosed with anxiety/panic disorder, and when I have my attacks I feel short of breath, and if I lay down it makes it worse. I simply prop myself up on some pillows to help with that. I take Atavan for my attacks, and it helps a lot. That might be something for you to look into.
 

EnergyGal

New member
I am sorry that you had this horrible experience Lindsey. I think it sounds like anxiety but I would go and get your lungs checked out as this could be physiological as well. I would also invest in a Saturation monitor. When having a panic attack, you might desat and once you realize that is just anxiety you can keep the pulse oximeter on your finger while taking some deep long breaths. You will see the number come back up. It will help you relax and reasure you that you are fine. Almost like Biofeedback. Very cool thing to have. Worked for me.

Another tip, I mentioned on Liz's blgo about energy medicine. That was the only thing that got me out of major panic attacks. Buy the book. It has many valuable tips in it. I did one of Donna edens' exercise about ten times a day or however long I needed it and it always worked! Thank GOD it did.

It was like pressing a magic button. I am serious and I feel blessed that I learned how to help myself out of panic attacks.

Go see the doctor
love
Risa
 

thelizardqueen

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Risa</b></i>I mentioned on Liz's blgo about energy medicine. That was the only thing that got me out of major panic attacks. Buy the book. It has many valuable tips in it. I did one of Donna edens' exercise about ten times a day or however long I needed it and it always worked! Thank GOD it did.</end quote></div>

I have this book on order at the library. I can't wait to get it and read it. If it helps, I will buy the book.
 

EnergyGal

New member
That is great Liz. When you get it I will be able to help you if you like. It is a great book. My favorite. I am going to read it again starting tomorrow.
 

coltsfan715

New member
Thanks for the feedback guys. I am hoping tonight goes much smoother than last night. I have taken xanax in the past, but thought it was for misdiagnosed anxiety. I was having really severe gallbladder attacks at the time and once the figured out my gallbladder had issues and took it out the attacks stopped. Therefore I stopped taking the xanax and no longer have the prescription.

I have just been really anxious or nervous that something is going to happen since I had a partial lung collapse last year. I didn't know anything was wrong and my O2 SATs were below 90 and I felt okay. I have been paranoid that is going to happen again and I will not know. So I think that everytime I get short of breath I start to panic and think oh no my lung is collapsing again. That happened roughly a year ago, but recently I have been having a hard time with panicking over it. I will hopefully talk to the doc tomorrow and see what they think.

Thank you again for the feedback.

Lindsey
 

EnergyGal

New member
I remember as a child that some of my friends with CF had their lung collaspe and I concerned that it would happen to me as it sounded scary. So every day I did extra CPT sessions. I think the fear started when I got pleurisy and from that point on I did double therapies on most days. My poor parents but I did my own sides and they helped me until my Fathers insurance helped to pay for my treatments. If your lungs are not congested there will be less pressure for a possible collaspe to occur right? That is the way I thought.
 

EnergyGal

New member
Lindsey if you can buy some essential oil of lavender and put it on your wrist and on your neck you will feel so relaxed. It is better than a drug. Try it you might be surprised. Sounds a lot safer than drugs.
 
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