This sounds very familier. When I had my first panic attack at 19 I actually called the ambulance because I couldnt breathe and I thought that I was going to die. I got the the ER and all kinds of tests were done. The bottom line, I had a panic attack and a severe one at that. As I recall, it was quite sometime before I even came to grips that what was happening to me was in fact panic. I had a really hard time with that because I couldn't beleive that there was nothing physically wrong with me. Once I accepted that I was able to relax and work through the panic attacks when they would happen. It took me a long time. I think I made things worse for myself then they had to be.
Breathing technique's, visualizations and distractions worked well for me. I would also try writing in a jouranl. This helped me too figure out triggers for my attacks.
Unfortunatly, for me, I come from a long line of "Panickers". My grandmother, father, sister and myself. We all have panic disorder so it seems that I was doomed from the start.
Anyhow, I hope that I was helpful to you. Please come back and post if need be.

Take care