COPD and panic attacks

[Dchad63]

Hello all,

This is my first post. I am in my 10th week off sick from my job in a supermarket. I have had COPD for nine years and had a bullectomy five years ago after my lung collapsed. I developed a lung infection ten weeks ago which led to fluid in my lung, this caused breathing problems that have developed into panic attacks and anxiety. I have been assessed and am now waiting for counselling. I was put on Certraline and Valium last week. All this was brought on by damage to my lung caused by the previous surgery. I now don't know if I can go back to work because of the panic attacks. Has anyone else given up work because of COPD/anxiety?

[Hidden]

Hi sorry to hear this. It's not what illness you have but how it affects you which determines how long you feel you can stay in work. If you feel you can't work any more there are various options open to you.

In answer to our question then yes there are some on here who had to give up work because of their copd. I expect others who suffer from anxiety etc. have also had to.

[O2Trees]

I left work due to copd Dchad63. It happened I was 60 (pre WASPI) but I would have continued to work for at least another 5 years if I could have done. But panic attacks didn't figure in the decision - just that I was having so much time off due to chest infections that it wasn't tenable to carry on.

Quick point re panic attacks: often people panic at being breathless as they think they won't be able to breathe in enough air. But what is important is learning to breathe OUT sufficiently, thus creating space for new air to be inhaled. Both copd and asthma are characterised by difficulty with breathing out. You can use breathing techniques to get the maximum amount of air out of your lungs - pursed lip breathing is probably the most important one and you can google this if you are unfamiliar with it. Concentrating on breathing out focusses the mind and helps avoid panicking.

[Samjeff in reply to O2Trees]

That was good advice I'm going to watch that again I had coughing fit this morning had a few lately cough until my throat is sore just bring up sticky transparent mucus which in turn exhausts me. Sam

[phyllis_liberty]

I can relate to the anxiety attacks. I panic often just thinking about not being able to breathe. It's all a mind thing...truly. I know this, yet I still have the panic attacks. Crazy stuff. The thing is we have to do the breathing exercises, and learn to calm ourselves down...along with a medication or two. I take Klonopin, but it slows the breathing down. ... O2 at night, which is yet another problem. So I have anxiety at night also. I relate to you in a BIG way. I'm sorry you are doing what I do, and it is no fun at all.

Hugs,

Phyllis

[girliegirl2012]

Hi and welcome! Panic attacks are real. They are scary. You feel like you can't breathe. Even with oxygen, you feel like you can't breathe! That is because perception becomes a reality. The trick here is a breathing exercise to help calm you down and help you collect yourself. This is my go to lung exercise when I feel I need it. You just have to stop everything and focus on your breathing. Inhale deep long breath....pulling air through your nose and exhale slowly thorough your pursed lips. A good way to remember this is: Smell the flowers and blow out the candle. (When you are blowing out a candle, your lips are considered pursed.) These breathing exercises in a series of 4 at a time can really calm you down quickly if you are persistent. Take your time and focus on yourself. This exercise was not meant to rush through them. It is meant to calm you. Take your time until you feel yourself calming down. (don't try to set a record, I don't want you to hyperventilate.) Again, welcome and focus on yourself, Practice breathing exercises. When you feel a panic attack coming on, think: smell the flowers....blow out the candle. Keep us posted!