Is it asthma?

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Hi. I was wondering if anyone has any idea what my problem is. Since I moved to Arizona 6 years ago, I have stopped breathing about 4 times. It doesn't happen often obviously but is really scary when it does. There is no trigger it seems. Fine one minute and red faced, tears rolling down my face the next. I will be making a dr. appointment but just thought maybe in the meantime someone may have an answer. I have researched asthma and it seems this is usually more of a chronic problem that occurs during exercise and such. Just doesn't really appear to be my symptoms at all. This has never happened while working out or anything. It happened about a week ago while I was driving. Just out of the blue things seem to close up for a minute or so. I think maybe it has something to do with the dry air but couldn't really say. Thanks.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Asthma most often is triggered by allergies. So perhaps there's something in the air that you are allergic to. I would definately check it out.

When you "stop breathing" do you literally quit breathing or does your airway get tight and you start wheezing. Wheezing is the sound of an asthmatics.

Could also be spontaneous panic attacks, which often mimic what you're desribing. Could be cardiac.

Could be any number of things. Best wishes and get to the doctor!

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Hi. I was wondering if anyone has any idea what my problem is. Since I moved to Arizona 6 years ago, I have stopped breathing about 4 times. It doesn't happen often obviously but is really scary when it does. There is no trigger it seems. Fine one minute and red faced, tears rolling down my face the next. I will be making a dr. appointment but just thought maybe in the meantime someone may have an answer. I have researched asthma and it seems this is usually more of a chronic problem that occurs during exercise and such. Just doesn't really appear to be my symptoms at all. This has never happened while working out or anything. It happened about a week ago while I was driving. Just out of the blue things seem to close up for a minute or so. I think maybe it has something to do with the dry air but couldn't really say. Thanks.

Has a doctor told you that you have asthma? It could be anxiety...I have had anxiety in the past and it can be very scarey also...

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Thanks so much for your responses. To answer your question, it feels like I am drowning or choking. It is like when you take a drink of water and choke on it but I am not drinking. I keep gasping for air but can't get any. Then it eventually goes away. It is somewhat hard to explain. I was at my mother inlaws once and as I walked into her house, it happened. After about a minute they were trying to do the heimlich but I wasn't choking. I couldn't explain this to them at the time though. It doesn't seem to be anxiety or a panic attack because I am not in a stressful situation at the time. A few times, by myself just going about my day not thinking or worrying about anything. I appreciate your help and will make an appointment to get things checked. No, I haven't been to the doctor about it yet. I am always so terrible about getting to the doctor for some reason. Thanks again.

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.
I appreciate your help and will make an appointment to get things checked. No, I haven't been to the doctor about it yet. I am always so terrible about getting to the doctor for some reason. Thanks again.

Breathing is important. Please make it a priority to keep doing it ;). You NEED to see a doctor.

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Specializes in Pediatric Intensive Care, Day Surgery.

this happens to me somethimes during the time of season change. like when winter is turning into spring. i will be walking across the store aisle or something and i will start coughing and then i cant breath. its really scary and soemtimes painful. It is an asthma attack. I am now on things like Zopenex Albuterol and the purple disk...its an inhaled steroid but i cant think of the name....does anyoneknow what im talking about? anyways, be sure to get it checked out.

Thanks so much for your responses. To answer your question, it feels like I am drowning or choking. It is like when you take a drink of water and choke on it but I am not drinking. I keep gasping for air but can't get any. Then it eventually goes away. It is somewhat hard to explain. I was at my mother inlaws once and as I walked into her house, it happened. After about a minute they were trying to do the heimlich but I wasn't choking. I couldn't explain this to them at the time though. It doesn't seem to be anxiety or a panic attack because I am not in a stressful situation at the time. A few times, by myself just going about my day not thinking or worrying about anything. I appreciate your help and will make an appointment to get things checked. No, I haven't been to the doctor about it yet. I am always so terrible about getting to the doctor for some reason. Thanks again.
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Ha Ha. Thanks Nurse Ratched. I will definately keep that in mind. And if it is asthma like you have noseinabooknurse, do you just use the inhaler when it happens or are you taking medication all the time for it? Is your condition like mine, only once in a while type thing? Thanks.

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Specializes in Pediatric Intensive Care, Day Surgery.

yes, mine is not ALL THE TIME. Actually, i need to go get my allergies tested to see why i get sick and then it wont happene again. anyways, no i keep it in the drawer and when it gets that time of year again i realizze i need it again and i pull it out and carry it in my purse. so, no you prolly wont be burdened with it year round. lucky right?

Ha Ha. Thanks Nurse Ratched. I will definately keep that in mind. And if it is asthma like you have noseinabooknurse, do you just use the inhaler when it happens or are you taking medication all the time for it? Is your condition like mine, only once in a while type thing? Thanks.
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Specializes in Pediatric Intensive Care, Day Surgery.

Sorry for such awful typing skills. im so tired i cant see what im doing. goodnite yall.

yes, mine is not ALL THE TIME. Actually, i need to go get my allergies tested to see why i get sick and then it wont happene again. anyways, no i keep it in the drawer and when it gets that time of year again i realizze i need it again and i pull it out and carry it in my purse. so, no you prolly wont be burdened with it year round. lucky right?
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Hi. I was wondering if anyone has any idea what my problem is. Since I moved to Arizona 6 years ago, I have stopped breathing about 4 times. It doesn't happen often obviously but is really scary when it does. There is no trigger it seems. Fine one minute and red faced, tears rolling down my face the next. I will be making a dr. appointment but just thought maybe in the meantime someone may have an answer. I have researched asthma and it seems this is usually more of a chronic problem that occurs during exercise and such. Just doesn't really appear to be my symptoms at all. This has never happened while working out or anything. It happened about a week ago while I was driving. Just out of the blue things seem to close up for a minute or so. I think maybe it has something to do with the dry air but couldn't really say. Thanks.

Since you haven't outline your symptoms, I can't respond to those. Arizona is no longer the safe haven it once was for asthmatics. With it's expanding population, they have expended their green areas. They have bought their pollens into their enviornment and with those, increased their risks of respiratory illness. Low humidity generally does not cause an asthmatic attack. High humidity, coupled with rain, does increase the likelyhood of having probelems. Want to know the reason why????? :)

Grannynurse :balloons:

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Specializes in Neuro, Critical Care.
Hi. I was wondering if anyone has any idea what my problem is. Since I moved to Arizona 6 years ago, I have stopped breathing about 4 times. It doesn't happen often obviously but is really scary when it does. There is no trigger it seems. Fine one minute and red faced, tears rolling down my face the next. I will be making a dr. appointment but just thought maybe in the meantime someone may have an answer. I have researched asthma and it seems this is usually more of a chronic problem that occurs during exercise and such. Just doesn't really appear to be my symptoms at all. This has never happened while working out or anything. It happened about a week ago while I was driving. Just out of the blue things seem to close up for a minute or so. I think maybe it has something to do with the dry air but couldn't really say. Thanks.

HI! I have asthma and personally, I dont ever just stop breathing. Its more of a go outsider or when it gets cold, my chest starts to get tight but I can still breathe perse but its just harder...I start to wheeze and sometimes cough..sometimes my attacks come on suddenly but not quite as sudden as you describe and I can always usually take in some air..although im sure it is different for all asthmatics...keep us posted..:)

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Thanks for your replies grannynurse and ELKMNin06. I know it is hard to help when I can't really explain my symptoms. I really don't have many symptoms. It just happens. Nothing special going on at the time. Like I said, I feel like a drink of water "went down the wrong tube", but I am not drinking at the time. It is just a choking sensation and I cannot breath. If asthma feels like a chest tightening, that may not be it. This feels like a blocked airway, nothing in the chest. I guess symptoms are different for everyone though. Anyway, I will let you know when I find out what my deal is.

And sure, I would like to know why asthma gets worse in humid weather. I know they used to say Arizona was good for it but I am sure with all the pollution we have here nowadays, it's not good for anyone, with or without asthma, to breath here.

Jess

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