sensation of suffocating

[amandaelmo]

For the last two days, suddenly have the sensation that I cannot get enough oxygen into myself when I breathe.  I am breathing you know not gasping on anything but it just feels like I cant get enough air in and this has made the top of my throat a little irritated too. I had childhood asthma but have not had any asthma problems for many years so I don't think it is that, plus it is ongoing like not in short spurts but constant for the last two days. One person has said it could be just anxiety.  I want to see the doctor but I am afraid cause every time I go to the doctor they just tell me nothing is wrong with me no matter what my ailment is.  I think they probably look at me like im a joke, so I try to limit doctor visits as much as I can but this is very uncomfortable and scary.  Has anyone heard of this? and what can be done to fix it?

[remar]

You really need to stick with therapy for it to help. Sometimes you have to "interview" several therapists to find one you really like.

[amandaelmo]

ive tried therapy with two different people, the first on and off for a year, then quit, the second two sessions then quit. I just get consumed by the feeling either they hate me, think im pathetic, or wish I had never come to their office and are disgusted by me.  Im not stupid, I get maybe that's my own **** and not theirs, but it consumes my thoughts plus the fact I cant seem to move forward with therapy, I dunno what to do.

[remar]

Can you get in to see a Psychiatrist or therapist? It could really help you find out why you're having anxiety and you will also learn coping skills.

[amandaelmo]

went to the doctor and he says its anxiety induced hyperventilation. guess I have my answer even if the answer *****.

[Jerry_NJ]

I have been diagnosed with "mild" obstructive sleep apnea.  I had problems of feeling like I was suffocating when lying down to sleep..hence sleep apnea.

Here's my take-away.  When I first became concerned about the feeling of suffocating I purchased a Oximeter for about $25 USA.  It is the type you may be familiar with at the doctors office, whatever it looks like (mine is like a thick cloths pin that clips on the end of a finger) something is clipped on a finger and the device shines a light through the finger and from this it measures the Oxygen Saturation level of your blood.  It should be 95% or higher - a couple of pecent below many not be a problem.  

If you had one and you measured a low O2 saturation level, you'd have proof to discuss with your doctor that the suffocation is not all in your mind.  My doctor prescribed an overnight recording oximeter, which led to a full sleep study and hency the diagnosis.  In my case losing 25 pounds seems to have cured the problem, the weight loss opened my throat some, enough.  I was, am, a bit over weight, but not so much that I worried about it.  I am 6' 5" and weight about 225 now - and struggling to keep it there :  (

Hope this wasn't too long to read or too typo ridden to understand.  Bottom line:  there is an affordable device one can purchase to measure if to determine if their blood is low in oxygen.

[remar]

Yes, many of us that have anxiety feel like we can't get enough air at times, especially when our anxiety is high.
Since you do have asthma though your Dr needs to take you seriously and do some testing.