Feeling of impending doom: My mum has... - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

55,205 members65,971 posts

Feeling of impending doom

breatheasy77 profile image
10 Replies

My mum has severe emphysema and has recently had a partial collapsed lung which is now back up but today and before she can be sitting there and she says she gets a feeling that creeps up from her stomach to her face which then she says goes all hot. Can anyone help me with this I've googled it but haven't had any luck, is it a sign of anxiety or what? Would be a great help if anyone can relate to this

Written by
breatheasy77 profile image
breatheasy77
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
10 Replies
Bengunn profile image
Bengunn

Hi Breatheasy 77.I can equate to exactly that feeling and am fairly confident that it is an anxiety attack.I too have severe copd and have had exactly those feelings.I take 1 citalopram daily and once you get used to them they do help to lessen the feeling of panic.I recently had a really bad one being treated at home With IV antibiotics and the rapid response nurses phoned my G P and prescribed lorazepam which is a fast acting anti depressant and you only need to take half of one tablet to get some relief but they can make you a little drowsy.I am not a medic but I hope my info helps.Love Bengunn.xx

in reply to Bengunn

Lorazapam is also known as Ativan a highly addictive benzodiazepine. It is an anti anxiety medication. It is similar to valium.

Flygirl profile image
Flygirl in reply to

Yes, I've been on a low dose Ativan before. 0.5 mg under the tongue.  It was incredibly fast acting and non drowsy.  My Doc wanted to switch me to an "all day" drug because Ativan can wear off quicker than other meds and as my Doc says, you're just chasing the anxiety rather than managing it.  I'm on Wellbutrin XL 150, 1 pill a day and now a booster Vyvanse, plus I have low dose Clonazepam as needed.  I have PTSD, anxiety and panic disorder.  They definitely help!

Hi how old is your mum? Could it be the change of life?

derrylynne profile image
derrylynne

Sounds like a panic attack to me..

Egomatt profile image
Egomatt

I get those mine come from the soles of my feet in a wave of heat defo a panic attack .

kimmy59 profile image
kimmy59

Evening.

Yeah it's anxiety I get it, feel like I want to run then it subsides.

Kim xxxx

peege profile image
peege

Hi, from what the others say it sounds like anxiety. How about practising some deep breathing with her a few times so that when it happens again she can try it to see if it helps before going the drug route. It may just be a passing phase.

All the best to you and she & Happy Easter xx

breatheasy77 profile image
breatheasy77

My mum is 61 she had the change of life at 38. She has the lorazepam but my mum and me are not too keen for her to take tablets all the time. Now I think.it could be anxiety we will have to see if breathing exercises help. Thanks for the replies much appreciated

Bettz profile image
Bettz

People who have never been so SOB that your chest hurts so bad and you cannot breathe don't know what it's like.  You think your heart is going to burst and you feel  panic because no one can help - in the ER they have me breathe into a mask.  When they give me oxygen that doesn't help -

  With me it isn't anxiety that causes it - it's usually cold weather. 

You may also like...

advice please coping with relative with severe emphysema

steroids. She has seen respiratory team who say she cant have oxygen as she is a retainer. She...

Can't explain the feeling

Just wondering if anyone else has had the same.... I also asked him about lung cancer screening...

Any carers out there? Feeling overwhelmed.

condition has predictably got worse. He started ambulatory oxygen a couple of months ago which we...

Feeling tired and fed up!

Sheila, know you had it done recently or anyone else who can reassure me. Any advice welcome 😊...

advice appreciated x

advice. My mum had covid in May which turned into pneumonia, she hasn’t been well since. she has...