I’ve been having this breathing issue on and off for about 10 years. When my anxiety levels are higher than ‘normal’, I often have a very hard time taking deep breaths. It’s like I breathe in a certain amount of air and my throat closes off or something and I can’t take in anymore. That leads to me repeatedly trying and failing to take good breaths then I get really light headed. Maybe it’s a type of panic attack? But it feels different than my usual panic attacks.

I’m diagnosed with anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD, and depression. The only meds I’ve been offered for all of this is antidepressants. I’ve tried several different kinds and while they have helped some with depression, they do nothing for the anxiety or panic attacks.

When it first started happening I was about 14-15 years old. I kept telling my mom about it but when she called the dr saying I was having breathing issues, they refused to see me and kept saying I had to go to the ER. Eventually my mom took me the ER since they wouldn’t see me. They did an ECG/EKG and said I was fine and sent me home. Then my doctor made me see a cardiologist to make sure nothing was wrong with my heart, but did nothing to address the anxiety/panic attacks I kept telling her about.

I’ve seen several different doctors over the years about it and they’ve made me get several tests to make sure I didn’t have any physical issues, which I didn’t. I got sent to a lung doctor to get tested for asthma because of it. The test showed I didn’t have asthma but he diagnosed me with it anyway and gave me an inhaler that doesn’t help..

But last year I had major leg surgery. Being in the hospital gave me horrible anxiety and I was having panic attacks in the hospital. They kept me on Valium for the three days I was there, then when I was discharged they sent me home with a script for Valium (no refills). I didn’t take it continuously but would take half of a pill here and there when I was having bad panic attacks or these breathing issues. It was the only thing that ever helped, and it worked really well.

Sorry that was so long, but can anyone give me any advice to help with this? Like home remedies maybe, or how to ask my dr to give me something that will actually help, instead of just antidepressants? I’m so sick of dealing with this and so many doctors just wouldn’t address my anxiety at all.

Also I have tried a couple different therapists, but I didn’t like either of them. I know I should keep trying to find a good one but it’s hard because therapy is very expensive with my health insurance :/