anxiety and panic attacks

have never had anything like this only
now since this chest congestion started
back in sept.I had just quit smoking went to dr with coughing and whizzing in my chest,last for months, dr said ciggs had cought up with me and I might have copd, Ever since after reading so much about this
I got this attack that I thought I was suffercating not good. my dr says fvc1 74% ct scan looks not to bad diagphram is good.
I don't ever know if I do have copd DR just says probably after smoking so long we would all have it.that is not an answer,I want to know for a fact.I am feeling panic and this needs to stop I never had this even when my wife died afew years ago after 27yrs together
I can not go through this stuff again please someone advice me I can't relax day or night.
there has to be a way to calm down feel helpless.live alone my two girl don't ever call to see how I am doing.sorry for venting
thank you for all your kind replies.Morgan

[fiona1]

Hi Morgan, sorry you are feeling so bad. I'd have thought that the copd would have shown up on a scan or xray. i quit smoking a year and a half ago and i had symptoms like yours for about 8 months. I think in retrospect it was all the clearing out that my lungs had to do, but i did think at various stages that i had lung cancer or something. it has finally cleared up, but i really felt terrible for months.

[mbaez1953]

Thank you all for your kind replies, Yes I do see a specialist but he just says probably when I ask do I have copd or not.I do take larazapam .5mg but don't feel that help I tried pazil A few years back when my wife died but did not like the way it made me feel. I did have a stress test with contrast three years ago ago I was told was fine. Maybe I am going crazy being alone lol
all I know it was not fun having a panic attack I have never had a feeling like that
and hope to never have it again. thanks morgan.  
Is there something I should ask doctore for that has helped or am I taking to small a dose of larazapam ????

[mbaez1953]

Thank you all for your kind replies, Yes I do see a specialist but he just says probably when I ask do I have copd or not.I do take larazapam .5mg but don't feel that help I tried pazil A few years back when my wife died but did not like the way it made me feel. I did have a stress test with contrast three years ago ago I was told was fine. Maybe I am going crazy being alone lol
all I know it was not fun having a panic attack I have never had a feeling like that
and hope to never have it again. thanks morgan.  
Is there something I should ask doctore for that has helped or am I taking to small a dose of larazapam ????

[tmv]

Hi Morgan, you sound like you need a longer acting anti-depressant for the anxiety. The med you takes only works for a short period of time. There are so many out there now that they can try that will help. It is a terrible feeling to be worried about anxiety so much that you can't enjoy anything. I know that you said you didn't like how paxil made you feel, but I think that if they work with you that you will find there is one out there for you. I take lexapro and have done great on it. Have had only weight gain as a side effect. I wish you the best of luck. Take care, tmv