Hi everyone,
I am new to this board. I quit smoking about 5 months ago and since then have been having symptoms that could be asthma or anxiety. I don't know a lot about asthma and was hoping that someone could help me.

Many times when I am laying down I feel like I can't get enough oxygen in my lungs and I feel like that my chest is tight and there is a burning sensation.

A couple times I have ran up the steps and my heart starts pounding really hard and then I start gasping for my breath, but both times I have been able to stop it by slowing down my breathing, but one time I was actually wheezing, but I was able to stop that also by slowing my breathing down.

If it's asthma does your heart usually start pounding fast and hard before the shortness of breath starts and also if it's asthma is it usually controllable by slowing your breathing down and it goes away by itself?

I always thought that most asthma attacks had to be treated with medication, but I don't know that much yet, I am trying to learn as much as I can.

I did go to the doctor a month or so ago and she didn't seem concerned, I guess because it hadn't been but a couple months since I quit smoking and since quitting I have had quite a bit of trouble with sinuses or allergies, just sneezing often and nose stopping up.

Anyway, I would appreciate any help or information that anyone could give me.

Thanks

Becky

hey there, normally when u have an asthma attack your heart does not race...but when your having an anxiety attack it does. I'm not sure if u have asthma or not although u do talk about the tightning in your chest and burning...it could jst be withdrawel symptoms from smoking. Go and speak to your doctor about an asthma exam to rule it out. good luck with that and all the best...i know the feeling, my chest is killing me this very moment!