Always Feeling Short of Breath

I have had shortness of breath, hyperventilation, etc. for 40 years.  I am 58 years old now.  I was panic free (or almost) for over 10 years using Prozac and Klonopin.  My panic attacks came back with a vengeance about two weeks ago and all I do is think about my breathing.  I have been switched to Zoloft 50 mg (just started 50 mg Tuesday), Valium and Imipramine 10 mg (started yesterday to be increased to 30 mgs in a few days).  Doc also said I can up my tranquilizer intake until all the new meds take effect.  Any suggestions on what to do to stop thinking about my breathing.  Went to ER and had EKG and chest XRays and doc said I was fine but was having a panic attack.  Don't panic attacks come and go and not last almost all day?  Is there something the doctors might not be finding?

[cj29]

In my experience, panic can stay with you for the majority of the day.  When I was going through this during my worst periods I would basically be in a perpetual state of anxiety and panic the whole day.  Panic can also come out of the blue after years of not even being the slightest bit of concern in my mind.  You did the right thing by going to get checked out, but in my opinion it is time to believe your doctors.  You know that this has been a part of you, so it can creep back into your life.  Throughout all of this, did you get counseling or are you seeing a therapist now?  You know how to deal with it and sometimes it just takes a reminder of how to apply what you learned once again...don't let it get you down...you will get better and keep us posted!

[EroToo]

Awful day at work today.  Usually at work I can 'breath.' Or breath normally at least.  Today NOT.  I was going to go to the ER again, but I took another Klonopin (Valium aren't strong enough for me) and I seem to be calming down a bit.  During work, I made an appointment with the Breath and Lung Institute.  This WILL be my last drs appt. as long as they find nothing wrong with my lungs and/or breathing. (Or so I say now LOL)   If I had a severe breathing problem, would I be able to sleep for a few hours at a time without having a panic attack?  I think I know the answer, but I am so down now, I just need some reassurance.  Thanks for listening to my mania.   Oh, I did have a complete physical about 2 1/2 months ago when I wasn't having panic attacks and the doc said all was well. (Wasn't to crazy about the doctor tho)  Had an EKG with him too besides the one last Tuesday in the ER.  I should stay on here all night and vent about my neuroses LOL.

Karen

[EroToo]

I do have a great psychiatrist, but I don't see him that often.  But he is very kind and tries to find meds to suit my needs.  When my mom passed three years ago, I went into a deep depression.  He put my on Cymbalta and that really did the trick.  I am off that now.  Anyone know anything about Imipramine.  He wants to get me up to 150 mgs a day SLOWLY.