Coping with the anxiety after an asthma attack

[Klane2196]

I have had asthma since I was a child but haven’t had problems in several years, until this year. As we all know, an asthma attack is a scary feeling. My biggest struggle is calming myself down after an asthma attack. When I have the attack I use my rescue inhaler and do a breathing treatment. That usually gets it under control. But I struggle very badly with super anxious afterwards. Like to the point I can’t think about anything else besides “is my breathing right. Am I gonna have another one?” It is miserable!! My doctor prescribed me Xanax to take for being anxious but it isn’t working. It’s like I can’t help but be worried about it!! Does anyone have solutions for this?? 😞

[Carakraft]

Thanks for reaching out with your story. You are not alone! Anyone who has an an asthma attack knows exactly what you are feeling...me included. What works best for me ( after I take my rescue inhaler) is closing my eyes and relaxation breathing techniques.

[VincentW]

RELAX! Get to a quiet area, put on some comforting music or sounds and simply relax. Remember to NEVER panic during an asthma episode as panicking will only make things worse! Keep your rescue inhaler with you always and wherever you go. Good luck to you as well.

[LadyDi24]

It is scary when you cannot breath! My asthma started getting worse in the last six months. Use an inhaler and breathing machine. Started doing breathing exercises for anxiety and when I feel an attack. You can go on Internet and they show you how to deep breath. It has helped me to calm done after a asthma attack. I use my oxygen indicator and can see my oxygen going up.

[rvstitcher]

Not being able to breathe is anxiety making but so are the medications that we have to take. Rescue inhalers increase heart rate and can make you feel jittery which adds to anxiety. Be mindful of your breathing & side effects of the meds. Knowledge of which is actually causing the feelings and using relaxation techniques helps.

[satousman]

perhaps my free online program might be of interest to you. If you send me an email I can tell you more about it. [e-mail]. Stuart

[campisa Asthma Captain in reply to satousman]

Please let me know about your free online program.

[satousman in reply to campisa]

Sure. We usually have about 10-15 adults or caregivers in the program on alternating weeks I post questions such as what do you take for your asthma and do you know how the product works to help your asthma. The group discusses this for a week or so and then I make brief youtube videos going over the answers based on national asthma guidelines. Topics usually include triggers, controlling your asthma, depression and anxiety and behavior change. Personally, I grew up with very severe asthma but it is in good control now. I have been a professor in psychology and have conducted these asthma self-management programs for many years. I am the chair of the Virginia State Asthma Coalition and my motivation for conducting the free program is that I just like helping people (although I am not a medical doctor nor a clinical psychologist). I am a teacher. Hope that helps you and others. We usually have lots of fun and participants report learning a lot about the disease and how to self-manage it. Here is a little more and if you or anyone else wants to email me at the [e-mail] I can give you more.. Stuart Tousman, Ph.D.