Feeling out of breath and really scared

I'm not even sure if this can be anxiety or not but for the past few days I've been feeling like I'm so out of breath especially when I talk or do any physical activity and it feels very severe. It has been on and off its not constant and I've noticed it gets better when I lay down. When the feeling comes it feels so hard to breath and after a while my chest feels really sore and painful and my Xanax doesn't even help with this feeling which makes me get scared that it's something bad and not anxiety. I've had my lungs checked before and it was fine but I've never had trouble breathing this severe before so I'm scared something could have gone wrong since the last time I've checked my lungs . It's been giving me panic attacks I'm so scared I'll stop breathing. What could this be ?

Hi Brandi,

Sometimes acute anxiety...especially when you are stuck in a symptoms=anxiety=more symptoms=more anxiety cycle can be really stubborn. This is likely why your benzo is not helping to give you relief like it should.

I would recommend calling your prescribing doctor to see what course of action he/she would recommend. They may want to see you, or it could be that you can increase the Xanax a bit temporarily, and see if that helps...

Of course be sure to continue (or re-start) practice of coping skills to keep your overall anxiety levels as low as possible...and hopefully lessen this symptom as well.

I am sorry you are experiencing this currently, and am sending well wishes your way!

Let us know how you are doing soon,

S.C.

this post is helping me.. im having a bad attack tonight.. i was outside and it just came over me.. I couldnt breath. I got so shaky.. and scared.. Im now in the house trying to rest and get through this.. so im on here reading and so glad i found your post.. Im trying had to calm down.. still feel like i cant breath.. and worried.. but i cant go to the doc. i have no insurance..just hoping it goes away quickly.