Panic attack

[Lemonmelon1]

So I've suffered from panic attacks for over 20 years now. I take citalopram but it seems to be becoming less effective.
My panic attacks usually are linked to a change in how my throat feels or a fear of choking etc.
My friend and I met in mcds today. We've both got a lot of stress going on with our partners and we're having a good vent and supporting each other. After about 40 minutes I suddenly started feeling breathless while talking. I felt like I needed to slow my talking down and take a breath. I managed to keep it hidden from my friend but of course it triggered anxiety and I got dizzy and the normal things.
My heart rate and oxygen levels were fine.
Could pent up anxiety have made me feel breathless while talking? I've not had it start like that before.

Why did you feel it necessary to hide it from your friend? I'm guessing the stress involved in doing that just added to the problem. It could have been something as simple as your body digesting your meal, a warm, bright and noisy environment and the mental load of talking about your stresses.

I never let anyone see my anxiety. Even my husband doesn't notice when I have a panic attack. Having suffered for so long with them I've learnt how to calm myself down 99% of the time without others noticing.
I was having a Diet Coke at the time and sometimes fizzy drinks do give me a bit of indigestion. The slightest thing with breathing and I do often panic as it's my biggest fear so it could well have been that.
I still feel that anxiety on my chest now 3 hours later. I've had a really difficult day today.

I'm sorry you've had a tough day.

Who told/taught you that anxiety had to be hidden?

Childhood of abuse so probably learnt to hide it from a young age tbh.
I'm the type of person that doesn't like to make a fuss or draw attention to myself.

That strategy was probably necessary when you were young but it's not serving you any more; not only are you having to deal with the anxiety you have the added stress of hiding it.

What dose of Citalopram do you take?

I take liquid form. Max dose is 16 drops and I take 13.

Bump x

Obviously no one can give you a definitive answer but as the slightest thing with breathing and I do often panic as it's my biggest fear so it could well have been that.

You don’t have to live like this.

How do I get past it? I'm on mediation which was working but now isn't

I'm like this too, I experience sighing dyspnea (the feeling of not being able to get enough air) often even when I don't realise I'm actively anxious, but once it starts it makes me more anxious and panicky. I also worry about my throat and neck feeling weird too. I have OCD and one of my biggest obsessions/health anxieties is essentially about my airway and lungs.
I have hypnotherapy when I'm really struggling with it and it works brilliantly for several months at a time. You could also ask for a review of your antidepressant and increase the dose?

Just letting you know you're not alone with these weird feelings. X

I've not heard of that but describes exactly what happened to me so thank you.
I had hypnotherapy in 2009 and I didn't have a panic again until 2015. My daughter came 10 weeks early and nearly died plus I had sepsis. So they returned then but meds had been working well. But I've had a really stressful year and a lot of relationship issues and they are creeping back and getting more regular again. If it carries on for another week or so I'll go back to my gp.
Thanks for the reply x