The 'what if?' question can really mess you up because whatever reassuring answer you get you can always find a small exception and ask 'what if this exception happens?'. So in my opinion the only good answer for 'what if?' question is 'I WILL DEAL WITH THAT'.
My guess is you get scared then think you don't have enough oxygen so you start breathing for more. You start blowing off too much CO2 and then your are actually getting less oxygen in because you are over breathing which causes your nerves to excite, and then you get light headed, and panic starts creeping up even more. Then you continue to try and breathe more. Which makes you lose more CO2 and then it goes into a vicious circle. Then your respiratory centers of your brain notice you are breathing out too much CO2, so it tries to get you to slow down your breathing to balance it out, and then you feel like you can't breathe. You feel your breathing is stopping or slowing down, because your brain is trying to reset you to normal. So you then try and breathe more which perpetuates the problem.
Even if this isn't exactly you, I guarantee it is a lot of people on this site, so maybe it'll help someone.
You all are so awesome, because you know I am checking this site constantly and re-reading everything you all are replying to me. It does reassure me when I read these. Even if it doesn't last long, I just want you to know you are reassuring, and I thank you guys.
I know exactly what you mean about finding reassurance that other people are feeling the same way. I am blessed to have friends who understand (and some also have). Other people would just think I was crazy saying, 'I'm worried about my breathing". I really feel for you though, because I can't even express how frustrating it was to focus on it all the time. So I know exactly how you feel - I did the exact same thing when I woke up! The reason I went on medication was because it became too much. I try and express that to people, imagine being aware of EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE. It's enough to drive anyone crazy!
But Tomasz is right- even if it IS asthma, you will deal with it then. Also, I don't know if you are an asthmatic, but if you do have an asthma attack it is very clear that you are having one. Which is something I need to remember as well. But even if it is asthma, so what? There are plenty of hospitals and ambulances that will all be there quickly to give you oxygen. It would never get to the point where the situation would be dire! The only way this impacts my life now is I won't go camping in the middle of nowhere because this would set my anxiety off. I still need to know that help is nearby, and as long as I have that, it's fine.
I hope this helps and you do begin to think a bit more positively about the future, because I can honestly say that it's not even a big thing for me anymore. I still get that thing I mentioned (it's like all of a sudden I take a big gulp of air and my heart skips a beat) - but I used to worry constantly about it happening. I used to worry constantly about it happening at work, at home, at the shops... anywhere. Now it will even happen to me when I'm giving a speech at work and I just stop talking for a moment, have a drink of water, and push on! If it is still bothering you, you could go talk to someone about learning tricks to relax yourself, but I think the key thing to remember is "what is the worse that could happen?"
The WORST possible thing that could happen is that you will run out of breath and die. OK, but how would you run out of breath? By being unable to breathe properly? Even if you are not getting enough air in, all you will do is eventually pass out and the body will regulate the breathing back to normal. Other bad thing that can happen - what if it is asthma? Ok, if it gets to the point where you are UNABLE to breathe deeply at all, then it may very well be asthma. Call an ambulance. They come and give you oxygen, if that's still not working, you will get a shot of a steroid that will help your lungs open. So really, the worst possible thing that could happen is that you will pass out for a few minutes (if it even got to that point!) and then so what? People faint all the time
Sorry - I do tend to go on yapping about this. but only because this is something I really struggled with, and since now I am living reasonably well with it, I just hope I can help!
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