My Dr. thinks I have panic attacks - but I'm in denial - Panic Disorders Message Board

bluewillow56 · 08-05-2007, 05:06 PM

Maybe someone can help me. I've just recently started having breathing problems. My chest feels tight, or like something heavy is pressing on it. I went to the dr. (general practitioner) and he thinks I'm having panic attacks. He prescribed klonopin, which I haven't yet gotten filled. I'm in denial about this because I feel perfectly calm and happy. I know what stress feels like, but I do not feel the least bit stressed, I've not been upset about anything, and I'm actually quite happy. I don't understand why I would have panic attacks. Even my boss said "but you're such a calm person". I tried to explain this to my dr but he doesn't act like he believes me. After going to the dr I started keeping a journal about when it happens. There is a definite pattern to this breathing problem/ chest tightening. It always happens when the air is humid-- when I'm outside, get into a car that's been sitting in the hot sun for several hours, when I'm taking a long shower. I breathe perfectly fine in an air conditioned building, or when I get into a car in the cooler morning air, or when I take a short shower and there's no steam in the bathroom. I am confused and I don't know what to do. If this is a panic attack, I'm ready to accept it and take the medicine. I'd like to hear opinions on the possibility of this being a panic attack. Should I go ahead and take the medicine, should I call my dr back and tell him about the humidity, should I see another dr? Is it better to continue with my general practitioner or is it better to see a psychiatrist? Thanks.

Jenn4508 · 08-05-2007, 05:25 PM

It sounds like it may be more like a problem with asthma or something to that effect even though you may never have had anything like that. That certainly doesn't sound like a panic attack to me as I suffer from those and my son suffers from asthma.

I would see about checking with an asthma/allergist specialist and there are test they can do or your GP can do a test with a peak flow meter to see how you do. I would call your GP and advise of the humidity and see about the peak flow meter test and see what he says. If not, I would seek a second opinion.

Then if they feel it is panic attacks it is not the end of the world but it really doesn't sound like it to me. Hang in there bluewillow. You know yourself better than the docs do.

Best Wishes

j2006 · 08-05-2007, 06:53 PM

Panic is not about being stressed. I used to be a calm person who had my stress in check. And then it hit one day. A panic attack and now I have Panic disorder. Being scared of another attack or that I am going to drop dead of something.

Panic can also cause breathing problems.

Make sure you see a doctor about your breathing and the humidy. You could have asthma. And then if that comes back fine i would make an appointment with a PDOC.

I take klonopin on an as need basis.

bluewillow56 · 08-07-2007, 06:43 PM

Thanks for your responses. I decided to see an allergy/asthma doctor today. He said that I don't have asthma, but that the breathing problems could be related to allergies. he said I'm one of the most allergic people he's ever seen. I have a long list of things I'm allergic to. So, I have 4 kinds of meds to take now. I guess if this doesn't help, I need to keep looking/ keep going back to the doctor.

Jenn4508 · 08-07-2007, 11:58 PM

I am glad you decided to check into this. If this doesn't seem to help you know you may need to keep looking but these sounds like the best course at this time.

Good Luck to you!