I'm not understanding

[Idawmn]

I have been dealing with a suffocating feeling for over 12 weeks now - day and night, 24/7.  This came about 2 1/2 weeks after gallbladder surgery, out of nowhere.  I have never had anxiety or panic attacks in my life.  I have had all kinds of tests done and everything is normal.  I'm breathing in and out like everyone else, no panic breathing.  I look forward to a new day everyday but there is that constant suffocation feeling.  Sometimes although rare, I feel like I'm breathing in extremely cold air although the house is at 75 degrees.  Other times I get this feeling of soreness in the throat from breathing but that is rare also.  I'm seeing a counsellor in 2 weeks.  I don't get this at all.

[Idawmn]

Thanks for your response Richh17.  After feeling not sad bad yesterday during the day with the suffocating feeling,  I went to bed and felt like I was being attacked full force by this suffocating feeling and didn't sleep all night.  The strange thing was that for the most part when l lie down at night the breathing issue seems to relax and  I can get some sleep.

I'm off to see a cardiologist in a couple of hours.  My own doctor wanted me to go for consultation and to finally rule out anything physical.  A week from today I'm seeing a therapist.  

It sounds like you are doing well, good for you!  Much continued luck.

[Richh17]

Thanks for the note and taking time to read my post - after reading it back, the english is terrible and I guess it gets a bit boring, so a big thanks for sticking with it!

I go through, and have gone through these kind of feelings a lot - sometimes for 10 minutes, others for days at a time. I know it may feel like you're suffocating and breathless, but chances are you're just convincing yourself that, that is the case. It took me a long time to admit I was suffering from health anxiety (i self diagnosed myself with all manner of illness' before), but once I did and spoke to doctors, things began to improve for me - at least you're on the steps to getting help!!

Even though I think I understand whats going on with me now, there are still times I lose the plot for a while... but I recently had at least a year where I really thought I was past it, and I know I can be there again... hopefully for good this time!

I'm positive you can get past this and return to 'yourself' again too, and I know from all my experiences, that understanding and accepting that it's just anxiety is the first step towards feeling ok again!