Panic attack versus allergic attack? - vs asthma? - followup 4/14

 

All,

I usually post on the Anxiety/Panic Forum, but I have a question that perhaps you all can answer for me.

The situation is that I am developing a phobia about having allergies that will kill me.  I have been tested for many kinds of things (RAST tests all) and am Class 0 on all but ragweed.  I have no food allergies although I feared them for ages and had a phobia of eating nuts, though I can now do so safely.  The symptom that makes me fear allergies is shortness of breath or globus sensation - diagnosed as GERD.  My ENT doctor is quite clear that all my symptoms are extremely consistent with GERD.

The latest fear is walking/being in the woods.  

Two weeks ago I went for a short walk in the woods (uphill).  Experienced a little shortness of breath, but it went away and I was able to walk home 10 minutes trhough the woods with no troubles.

Last weekend, I met my men folk for a campfire dinner.  While in the woods, I had a brief and frightening sensation of not being able to breath (had been worrieda bout the previous episode).  I stood up, walked about the campsite for a bit, then walked to the restroom 1/4 mile away.  When I returned, I was able to stay at the campsite for another 1-1/2 hours with no difficulty at all.

Such episodes - shortness of breath on an uphill hike, but then it goes away and I can walk out (albeit scared) have happened twice before in the past 3 years.

Then, Thursday, I had the worst yet - didn't get short of breath until back at the house, reclining (GERD acting up, perhaps), took a puff of albuterol (I've never done that before) and straight back into the woods to fight the phobia.  Turned around about 5 minutes in to go to the ER, felt like I couldn't breathe on the way.  Now during all this time, I was wearing a pulse oximeter and BP cuff.  BP was always high, oximeter reading was alwya s98%.  No wheezing, no difficulty speaking to my hubby, just a sense of not enough air.  I've been tested for asthma, by the way, and I don't have anything like that.

Since then, I've been pushing myself to go out to the woods for a walk twice a day, then we drive to the ER waiting room and just sit until I feel safe again.  I haven't had the same terror on any of our last 5-6 little walks in the same woods.

Anyhow, here's my question: when you get short of breath from allergies/when you anaphylax, does it just go away all on its own?  My doctors try to reassure me that the fact that I'm not wheezing, my oximeter readings and BP are fine, and that it clears up on its own mean I'm not in danger of having my airway close.

Any advice is appreciated, but please try not to scare me any more than I already am.  And thanks for letting me wander over from Anxiety/Panic.

percycat

Thanks, Chartreux, so very much.

I have had pulmonary function tests, methacholine challenge, as well as EKGs, stress tests, and chest xrays. All came back fine.

It's a relief to hear a little more confirmation that whatever's going on is not likely to kill me (yes, that's us A/P folks). Of course, I know everyone's story is different, but just hearing from you folks who genuinely do suffer from allergies helps me keep my issues in perspective.

I have a RAST test on Tuesday in preparation for skin testing next month. I also have an appointment with my PCP, and one thing we'll be discussing is anti-anxiety meds.

Thanks again! Every little bit of info about allergies from people who know helps me to be less frightened.

percycat

Keep us posted as to how things go with the rast testing..
will be waiting to hear back..
((((((((((((((HUGZ)))))))))))))))))))))

So now it seems it IS an allergy.

I just got back from the ER. I was having a fine evening until the cat came in from the woods and plopped on my desk. Throat starts seizing up, chest gets tight, and putting on my surgical mask and taking a small Benadryl didn't help much. On the way to the ER, throat got tighter and I couldn't swallow at one point. They gave me a steroid shot (decadrone or something) and said I could take Zyrtec daily to help, big Benadryl if this comes on again. Of course, I'll try to see my PCP, and I have skin testing scheudled for next Thursday.

Advice, experiences, even denials, anyone? I'm floundering in a sea of not understanding what's happening to me and would surely appreciate hearing from folks who know allergies and how they react.

percycat

Hi Percycat,
Cat allergy is definitely something you should look into. Also, tree pollen is at a high right now (I can't even go outside), and the cat could be picking that up on its fur.

I was searching the internet for something about the lung problems I am experiencing after the flu, and came upon this question and response, that made me think of you. For what it's worth, I'll past it in this message. If it doesn't fit your experience, just ignore...though it could possibly be of interest to you.
Good Luck!
Denise



I suffer from ANXIETY which manifest itself in emotional and physical symptoms
. The physical symptoms include upper gastric IBS (stomach bloating) and a tension in my thorax/lungs.



The tension in my lungs seems to be responsible for producing mucous, a cough and at times, especially when my stomach feels bloated, I feel breathing distress/panic.



I sometimes cannot catch the top of my in-breath - belch and the breathing problem temporarily diminishes...



[My recent X-Ray was clear and I have a good peak flow].





QUESTIONS:



Q1 Could the breathing distress (occasional mucous and tightness) be the result of an ambient anxiety disorder ?

If not, can you suggest what else it might indicate?



Q2 Do you imagine that the stomach bloating/ distension is likely to make the lung condition seem more pronounced ?



Q3 As a result of my apparent lung sensitivity, I have a fear of catching a cold/ flu/ cough...do you imagine in reality my condition would be manageable under such circumstances and that this might be merely an irrational concern ?



Q4 Can you suggest a course of action/ treatment?



[I am presently taking Omeprazole for my stomach (acid) and Buspar for my anxiety]



Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions...









Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish


, Mar 10, 2004 12:00AM
It is reassuring that you have a clear chest x-ray and a good peak flow.



It is certainly possible for anxiety to cause chest tightness. Stomach bloating and distention can make your lung condition seem more pronounced. When this happens your stomach becomes larger and pushes up on your diaphragm. This leaves less room for you lungs to fully expand when you breathe in. Your condition should be manageable even if you were to have a cough from catching a cold.



Diaphragmatic breathing can help you move more air in and out of your lungs. This is the most efficient way to breathe and may improve your symptoms. Learning this technique will help you to breathe slowly, regularly, gently, and smoothly all of the time. Here are the instructions:

� Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose.

� While you breathe in, count 1, 2 and push your stomach out.

� Place your hand on your stomach so you can feel your stomach going out. This promotes the use of your diaphragm and your lower respiratory muscles.

� Breathe out slowly and deeply through your mouth. Imagine that you are breathing out through a straw by �pursing� your lips.

� While you slowly breathe out all the way, count 1, 2, 3, 4 and let your stomach relax. You can feel your stomach going in with your hand.

You often can get help with this type of breathing by taking an introductory yoga class or checking out a videotape on yoga that focuses on breathing and relaxation.

Hey, crystal, try to hang in there until you can get checked out by a doctor. Either get an appointment with someone who deals with asthma allergies, or lung conditions, or, if you're really concerned during an episode, you can go to the Emergency Room and they'll take care of you.

As scary as my symptoms may sound, I haven't actually stopped breathing at all, and they often settle down a lot on their own while I'm waiting in the ER for a diagnosis, tests, and then finally meds.

It's good that you've got the support of your family.

Others from this forum will probably be along soon to help us both understand the reality of allergies, asthma, and shortness of breath. I suspect that what you and I fear is a lot worse than what really happens.

percycat

Hey, crystal, I'm glad you're doing a little better today. I have so many triggers right now too: dust, cat hairs floating in the air. And yet my docs say I'm fine, and I hope yours are treating you well too.

I didn't mean to put down your job - I'm still a little new to moderating and couldn't come up with a good substitute in my groggy state of mind. Do go ahead and mention it, because if you think it's important to what's going on with your health, then it is.

I sure hope you're able to settle into feeling a little safer at home.

percycat

Wanted to wish you both good on the allergy testing and to keep us posted,
I'm still reading your post, okay...
Lots and lots of soft hugz.......