why didn't i know

i feel so embaressed and ashamed i thought i was taking an asthma attack and couldn't calm down so in the end i called an ambulance. I wasn't it was a panic attack and obviously i was dealing with it in the wrong way. I feel so bad as i took 3 people away from saving lifes and for no reason really. Why didn't i know? I feel so bad.

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Better to be safe than sorry with all the stress your having at the moment im not suprised your having panic attacks. Is it your 1st one? symptons are just as bad you feel like you cannot breathe so easy mistake dont beat yourself up about it im sure the hospital would rather it be a panic attack than full blown asthma attack so please stop worring and read up on panic attacks you may find some answers on self help guide but when in dout you know what you have to do Take care love and hugs Kerry-anne xxxx

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Hi there, I suffer both from panic attacks and asthma attacks. I tend to find if it's a panic attack I generally don't wheeze and when I take my blue inhaler it isn't effective. Having said that, I don't wheeze very often so it's easier for me to tell the difference between an asthma and panic attack than someone who may wheeze a lot, and I'm not sure what your particular ""regular"" symptoms are. Also I get other symptoms of anxiety that are not necessarily associated with Asthma like palpitations, nausea, just a feeling of general anxiety and sometimes sweat a lot and get kind of clammy. These are the ways I generally tell the difference and I suppose it's just experience. Also I suffered panic attacks for years before being diagnosed with Asthma (which was only 14 months ago, comared to the 5 years I've suffered panic attacks) and so it's kind of easier for me to know because you just get used to your own body I suppose.

If you haven't suffered these before, maybe yo should try and see a doctor or something?

Also you did the right thing in getting help when you thought you needed it, I once ignored my symptoms for ages thinking they would go with time and I ended up very poorly, not a good move.

Don't worry about it, they would rather see you and make sure you're well and after all, its what they're paid to do.

Keep Smiling

Claire x

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I just felt like such a fraud as i have suffered from both from years and i am normally really good telling them apart - and it is difficult at times as during asthma i often panic as well.

I'm just scared of not knowing the difference and making te same mistake again as i felt really silly but i know its not a major problem as everyone was fine with me.

Its the fact i got a rapid respond person and then a ambulance i just think they maybe had better things to do than deal with me.

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Oh Laurenjayne

You have said it yourself - ""everyone was fine with me"" and I believe you should remember that. I'm sure that those that helped you were far more relaxed about it than you.

I'm sure my last visit to A&E was as much panic as asthma. As a result of that, something good came out of it. My BP went flying up dangerously high. I have not had an issue with that previously and I am now getting far closer, and probably far earlier, monitoring than I would have if it hadn't happened. That demonstrates how a panic attack can actually be a life saver. I'm sure that all of the people helping you would rather be able to check you and send you on your way rather than you miss something major. And anyway, isn't it better to get it ""wrong"" this way round, rather than not respond properly when it is asthma.

LOL

Alan

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i know. I.m just pondering over what happened when really it was ok. I suppose i.m worried it will happen again but i shouldn't think like that. What i don.t understand is why i couldn't tell it was panic rather than asthma while the paramedic could. And obviously on the phone they must of thought it was as they wouldn't have sent rapid respond. The paramedics were fine and did say it wasn't like i was wasting there time as they did need to help me calm down and decided it was better to get me checked out in hospital but i just feel bad about it. I should calm down tho- thats probably my problem.

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panic attack

Hi laurenjayne

i can really sympathise - i had what i thought was an asthma attack early hours of sunday morning, rang NHS Direct who rang my gp for me. my gp rang me back straightaway asked what symtoms i had and said ""oh, that's a panic attack, not worth me coming out for that, just distract yourself, make yourself a cup of tea or something and calm yourself down"" and hung up!!!! but still if same thing happened again, i wouldnt hesitate ringing someone - its your life and better be safe than sorry. please dont worry about taking ambulance time up - as has been said, that is what they are there for and they wont mind checking you out. keep well.