To think this is a panic attack?

[ninesixteen]

So, as previous threads have shown I’m having some health problems.
Basically pain under my rib, gallstones or stomach ulcer are suspected.
I’m waiting for a scan date.
I’m really worried if I’m honest as I’ve been diagnosed with about 5 different things over the past few months re the pain. No one really knows what’s going on.
Anyway, for the past few hours I feel like I can’t breathe deep enough.
But I know rationally that I’m getting enough air as I’m still here and typing this.
I’ve made my chest a bit sore as I keep trying to take big gulping breaths.
Does this sound like panic attack as opposed to anything rib/gallbladder/stomach ulcer related?
When I’m otherwise occupied I forget about my breathing for a few minutes, but when I remember I feel like I need more air in my lungs.
Any tips if this is panic attack related?
I’m feeling a bit sick and getting dizzy.

This is the biggest symptom of my anxiety. I've suffered with it for 6 years now, and my biggest symptom (and most frustrating) is the shortness of breath. When it hits bad, it'll literally feel like I can't get a breath to go to my lungs and it's going to my throat and I'll literally be left gasping and straining my chest to try and get it.

I think it probably is anxiety if I’m honest.
Any tips on dealing with it?
I’ve got a diazepam in the cupboard, will that help?

It does sound like panic/acute anxiety. I'm so sorry you're going through this, know how horrible it is.

I agree it could be, as it's a big symptom of anxiety.

If it is panic related, I find breathing lower helps. Try to place your hand an your tummy and feel it rise as you breathe in, rather than shallower breaths higher in your chest.

Grounding techniques can help - 5 things you can see? 4 things you can feel? 3 things you can hear? 2 things you can smell? 1 thing you can taste?

Hope you feel better soon.

I literally feel like crying tonight.
I feel like I’ve been ill for so long with anxiety, stress, random bouts of sickness, throat infections, urine infections.
Now this bloody stomach issue.
And now I can’t breathe.
Every time I tell my family they just look disappointed in me. Like I ruin everything by always being ill.

Distraction for me, helps prevent anything developing into a panic attack. TV, book, phone call, etc.

Opening a window even just slightly ajar (it is windy out there tonight!) gives a psychosomatic reassurance that there’s ‘plenty of air to breathe’.

You’re probably feeling dizzy because you’re taking in too much air.

Just stop thinking about it, the absolute worse case scenario is you’ll faint because you’ve made yourself so lightheaded gulping in too much air, your breathing re-jigs itself and you’re back to rights.

Can’t comment on medications, I never take them because they scare me.

Ok. Standing outside helped a little.

Breathing in and out into a paper bag is supposed to help, but only paper not a plastic bag.

Just be careful with a paper bag. It's rebreathing CO2, but you'll get less oxygen than fresh air, so might feel dizzier.

It’s just the worst isn’t it.
Just chatted to my nurse friend when she popped round.
She calmed me down a bit.

Had a 10 minute bath too which helped. Well helped take my mind off the breathing anyway!

Try a breathing exercise or yoga breathing / meditation. Or 4,7,8 breathing (Google it) and as you breathe out focus on breathing out the bad thoughts and the tension.