panic attacks

I am a hospice volunteer working with an advance stage ALS patient who is in a nursing home.  My patient is on oxycoton and he wakes up in a panic attack over not being able to breath, to the point of not being able to get through to him.  This will go on for over an hour.  Are there any recommended methods that I can use to help him with this?  Are there other drugs that might work better to control everything (part of his panic may come from disorientation).  

[chochmeh]

My heart goes out to your patient and thank you so much for volunteering for PALS...you probably need to talk to a fellow PALS about this...here is a forum that has helped me with my problems...these people are very knowledgable and very giving...as all PALS seem to be: extrodinary and courageous people:

i have not been diagnosed yet but had problems with panic attacks with my inability to breathe sometimes...the doctor put me on cymbalta and i use a CPap along with asthma medications...i have vocal chord dysfunction.... it seems that some PALS get something a little worse called Vocal Chord Paralysis where the vocal chords don't work and shut and then, you can't get breath in, this might be happening to your friend...the doctors can check this out and treat for this.... and he might need to be put on a BiPap if he isn't already...there is no need for your friend to suffer...shame on those doctors...tell them that you suspect vocal chord paralysis and to check and treat....sometimes you have to advocate for someone else who might not be able to talk.