[THE16THDOCTOR]

I don't know if anyone has experienced this but I needed to take Xanax bc I had bad panic. For some reason I thought I was going to forget how to breathe and started hyperventilating bc I thought I had to force it. I was breathing heavy on purpose it was ridiculous I kept think my heart or lungs would give bc my body would forget how to regulate my breathing. In addition to this my left ear was clogged from allergies and same issue I thought I needed to fix it. After using ear peroxide three times in an hour and the stupid q tips I had to make it all stop. My ear started to ring from screwing around w it while I couldn't stop hyperventilating. I'm nice and super relaxed now.

[Easilyamused]

I have done exactly the same thing before ...been telling myself to breath in and out because I thought my body would not do it and I had to keep myself so busy so I wouldn't think about it...very scary

If you can breath in and out of a paper bag to try and calm down your breathing

Anxiety is so scary and sucks so much

try and get a book by claire weekes or find anything by her online ...she has fantastic advice

[THE16THDOCTOR]

Originally Posted by Easilyamused

I have done exactly the same thing before ...been telling myself to breath in and out because I thought my body would not do it and I had to keep myself so busy so I wouldn't think about it...very scary

If you can breath in and out of a paper bag to try and calm down your breathing

Anxiety is so scary and sucks so much

try and get a book by claire weekes or find anything by her online ...she has fantastic advice

Thanks ill try the bag thing. The Xanax made it all go away which was great but I like to only use it for when its gotten to that extreme point which it did.
Ill def try the bag thing if it happens again. I don't know who Claire weekes is but ill check her out. Thanks a lot !

[Odee]

My breath is the most troubling physical symptom I experience. I felt as though I can't breath enough. Even though I am hyperventilating I feel as though I were holding my breath. It's like I need more oxygen!

[Alprazolam]

When I had panic attacks, I would wake up from a dead sleep and be unable to breathe...but only through my mouth. Next time it happens, try closing your mouth and breathing through your nose. I don't know why, but it got me through tons of panic attacks. Worth a shot, anyway!

So sorry you had to go through this. I experience hyperventilating almost constantly when I'm anxious and some days are really hard. It makes me very lightheaded and confused..Occasionally I think this is it..now I'm going insane : ] I haven't found a way to stop it. Xanax didn't work for me..The only thing that I can do in such a situation is to retract to a quiet place (usually my room) and tell myself it will be ok..Some people do mindfulness exercises, eg they imagine a safe place in order to calm down. Also trying to take slow, deep breaths is helpful but I know that it isn't always easy to stop the hyperventilating cycle. Sometimes you can only wait until it passes. I haven't died or gone crazy so far so chances are I won't this time either : ] I hope you will get the breathing anxiety under control. hugs

[avlady]

Sleep Apnea, my usual response!!!

[CharactorAssassin]

Yes I've had that just yesterday. But I i try to think as much as possible that "Im meant to be here and its just the scary part of the ride". This will pass etc. Have no fear. No one dies in eternity. The panic and breathing started to normalize and the ocean calmed.

[Easilyamused]

no matter what, your brainstem, which is in charge of regulating your breathing, will always kick in and force your body to breathe. There is not a thing you can do about it. Just watch a toddler throwing a tantrum and holding their breath. They may turn blue and pass out, but their brain will force them to breathe as soon as possible.