Breath

[Braxnum1]

I am 37 years old female. I have suffered from panic disorder since I was 15. I have been on only two meds this whole time Paxil and generic of celexa which I'm still currently taking. I have had episodes over the years and have bounced back to as normal as I can be or hope for I guess. I have recently been through some stressful situations lately such as my grandfather passed away in October. My son is only 9 and has some symptoms of OCD. I have been very worried about him, also they switched my hours at work and now I work ten hours and not with my coworker that I have worked with gor ten years and I had a health scare with my heart. Which end up being heart palpitations due to anxiety I guess. They upped my suppressor bp med and now no more heart palps. But now here's my problem. I am obsessed with my breathing. When I sleep I know i don't control it. But when i think of it which is pretty often I won't to control it. When I stay busy at work it's not too bad. When I talk or sing it don't bother me, I guess just when I have time on my hands or when I lay down to go to bed. I have never had this issue before. In all these years. Can anybody out there relate??

[Braxnum1]

How long did your bout with the breathing last if you don't mind me asking?

[BluCrystal]

I can.  And I have a FACT for you: hyperventilating will NOT kill you.  Holding your breath until you pass ot won't even kill you.  Your body has physical safety-measures for this kind of thing, meaning that if you hyperventlate and your heart rate goes through the roof and you get hot and your hands and feet get clammy and tingly and you feel like you are going to jump out of your skin, THAT IS YOUR BODY BEGGING YOU TO RELAX.  Literally, lay on the floor and go rag-doll, all muscles loose, like melted butter.  THINK about ALL of your muscles relaxing, and how much better that feels, the longer you do it.  Lay there until your breathing is normal, your heart rate down, you cool off, and the tingly hands and feet stop.  REPEAT AS NECESSARY.  :)

[Braxnum1]

I hope so. I feel so scared. I started counseling too. For the first time since I was 16. I so desperately won't to be better. Do you think a different med would work better to relieve this symptom in your opinion? Thanks so much.

[pamelausa]

It is anxiety.   I have also had a choking feeling for 6 months one time.  I thought it was medical but when I took anxiety medicine it went away.

[pamelausa]

Omg.  I totally know that feeling.   It will go away in time.