Copd Panic

[Stommelgirl]

So had a few good days. Thought ok I can deal with this. Today a breathless day, panic all over again. Do you really ever get used to this. Only 3 weeks still cant come to terms with this. And not sure how much breatlessness is panic.

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

You will be ok, if you get really breathless you can always call for help. Never be affraied to get help. You will soon learn how to control your breathing, I know it's scary at first but we have all been through it so don't think you are alone. You take care and remember ask for help if you think you need it . Chat soon 😉 xxx Bernadette

[Stommelgirl in reply to Damon1864]

It has passed for the most part but so new to this. Thank you for the comfort.

[victoriablue]

So sorry hear that you panic Beranadette is right we have all been there usually when having a chest infection. Hope you manage control it if you have a good nurse you see have a word with her mine is brilliant. Keep well. Rose

[2greys]

Speaking for myself, yes, you can get used to it. Ask to be referred to Pulmonary Rehabilitation. They will teach you how to manage the symptoms of COPD, how to breathe whilst exercising, about your meds and how to take inhalers correctly, all about the importance of diet, how to "huff" up mucus, as well as exercise. Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a "must do".

I have stage 3 (severe) and 66 years, still working full-time, so with the right lifestyle and religiously exercising it is possible to lead a reasonably normal life, if you work at it.

[Jdbg05023]

Hi I have copd I take lorazepam for the panic stack it works for me ask your doctor thanks

[Offcut]

I know it is not easy to get used to but you have to take it head on. Try to get the breathing under control with a set method of timed breaths in and out. EG. slow count 5 deep in 4 out or what ever you feel most comfortable with. This helps reduce the panic breathing which will only make it worse. Keep as positive as you can!

Get to see a asthma nurse and they will help with the mundane things GP's do not have time for like quality of life?

Be Well

[offalot]

Everything said by others is true - yes, panic attacks can be managed despite being so scary.

Panic and breathing control go hand in hand - get your breathing under control and the attack subsides. Learn techniques from oxygen nurse / physio and the pulmonary rehabilitation course.

I'm 68, have had COPD 20 years, am at "end stage" ie on max medication and home oxygen. I still get panic attacks (had one 2 hours ago when I overstretched effort but had stupidly forgotten to turn up oxygen flow). It's still scary BUT knowing I can manage it and knowing it will be OK certainly helps to reduce the impact.

How much breathlessness is physical and how much due to anxiety / panic is an excellent, intelligent question, but AFAIK impossible to determine. Relaxation helps - finding techniques that suit you would benefit I'm sure. For myself, having tried medications to deal with anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, panic etc I now avoid these as many both affected my breathing and had unhelpful side effects. But they do help some people.

Lastly, trust your body and your system. There have been so many times that I've been convinced that I'd reached the limit I could cope with - and I could not have been more wrong. Looking back over the years it's an incredible history, proving just how fantastic the body is in conjuring up unimagined resources to deal with whatever is thrown at it. So often it's just the brain, the mind, the imagination that gets in the way and gives you a hard time. Prepare to be amazed - your system is primarily designed to ensure your survival, and it does a truly incredible job as you'll learn as time goes by. Just look out for it. Arming yourself with evidence of this, and of panics you've previously dealt with, recalling these when an attack starts can help to defuse it. Every little helps.

Hope this helps!

[Lilian226 in reply to offalot]

It certainly helps me O, What an intelligent and knowledgeable reply! Thank you. Lilian xxxxxx

[Xlizixx in reply to offalot]

Why do chest infections cause panic attacks cause I’ve had them as well even in the middle of the night. It’s also brought on my vertigo.

[K-Kilcoyne]

Everyone of us goes thru what your going thru right now...scary stuff...after a short (hopefully)you will recognise panic before it hits too hard...I suppose it easy to say...I've been told the same thing at the beginning of this bloody annoying disease...but honestly you will get thru it...I find this thinking about good times..grandchildren..holidays..anything to distract your mind and it the panic will fade

Hope you find your fallback position

Take care 😊

[PompeyBob]

Unfortunately panic is a natural reaction and it is difficult to control, I had a severe exacerbation six weeks ago now didn't think I would make it but did and spent the next three weeks in hospital, still haven't got the confidence to go anywhere but that will come back. You will overcome breathlessness it just takes time.

[Stommelgirl in reply to PompeyBob]

Im just starting to recover from my first one so its hard. Glad you are ok. Thanks for the comfort

[Mel090]

Yes everything everyone has said is so, sometimes I find losing myself in the distraction of a good film or box set helps . Lots of water as well, panic dehydrates you . Keep well Mel 999

[offalot in reply to Mel090]

Spot on - dehydration has as powerful an overall effect on (my) breathing as does a sleepless night.

With the varied medications I take I have a constantly dry mouth so I have to keep reminding myself to keep drinking - or I can find I've gone all day with nothing other than cup of water with morning tablets.

I need to drink to remember!

[Mel090]

Should be Mel 909 ha!

[Mel090]

No 090 finally ....

[Essiet]

Essiet I will never forget my first attack and I was alone and in the garage. I had listened to my dr and she had told me to always have my rescue inhaler with me and I had it in my coat pocket. I used it and sat in the truck until I started breathing again. I have had so many bad days of being breathless but now Iam doing so much better. When I get breathless I blow out all my air and empty my lungs and then take a deep breath in. By blowing out all the air Im getting rid of all the carbon dioxide that in my lungs. COPD patients with emphysema do not rid their lungs of carbon dioxide like healthy people do. By emptying my lungs Iam making room for oxygen and when I take a deep breath in then I blow out my mouth then I breathe in thru my nose and out thru my mouth. This really helps when you are on oxygen. I have been on oxygen for 9 years. I can remember when I would get upset over things my breathing would be terrible and I had to stop hitting the panic button and just be cool calm and collected. I now know I have to take life easy and not get upset.

[Lizzy1898 in reply to Essiet]

Wonderful advice

[Mollysdad]

Hi. In Hospital with Pneumonia in 2016 I really had massive panic attacks, so bad I wanted to get out of Hospital and worse ! Oxygen worked OK and calmed me. A Physio suggested using a hand help Fan used a 4-6 inches from my mouth. I have never had an attack where the fan did not stop it. Two more Pneumonia attacks this year in March & April, still rather weak but no more panics ! There are lots to buy from Amazon. I use this one amazon.co.uk/d/Fans/The-Coo...

Good luck & Quit panicking