I mesured my O2 at mu pulse oximeter it was betwen 93-97

Highly likely it is a Panic Attack. Unfortunately not at all uncommon - most everyone here has experienced one at least once.

This article might help:
"Managing COPD Panic Attacks"
http://www.everydayhealth.com/copd/managing-copd-panic-attacks.aspx

You'll find even more detailed articles online, but I picked this one because it is short and includes a line that sums up about all the medical profession will ever advise for managing or preventing them.

"Patients receiving COPD treatment need to learn how to handle panic attacks."
While true, it is really rather humorous. It is the equivalent of ...
"Doctor, doctor? It hurts when I do this!"
"Well, don't do that."

First recognize YOU will NOT die.
Second they CAN be managed.
Third YOU HAVE to manage them.
Fourth YOU WILL learn out to manage them.

Just a matter of discovering what works for you. Perhaps anxiety medication? Or just fighting each occurrence till you figure out what works for YOU and can reduce them over time.

Be sure to let your doctor know if they continue.
It can be struggle. Perhaps the biggest PITA with COPD.

Yes. Sounds like a panic attack. I get them too and they are AWFUL!

Feel better soon!

Yep - panic attack. Tis odd, I know everything is working and my O2 is fine, Yet here I am gasping like a fish out of water. If I really focus on my breathing, I can stop it a short amount of time. Then I feel completely wrung out, like Is just run a marathon. Shaky and ready to fall over. Go figure...

Hugs,
Dennis

Got to agree......take care Mary and im sure you will bounce back..

luv Peter

Hi Denny, If it is a true panic attack a little xanax works great. If you are having labored breathing while you have good 02 levels my doc prescribed 7.5 Mg of morphine. The morphine is actual a 15 Mg tablet I cut in half because pharmacies don't stock the lower dose.

Gary :-)

Thanks Gary...

Oh Mary, I had terrible panic attacks. I couldn't figure out if the shortness of breath caused the anxiety or the anxiety caused the shortness of breath. I would sit and car and just keep saying "breathe, breath," The old in through the nose, blow out the candles, I was very fortunate to qualify for Lung Volume Reduction Surgery and the SOB (shortness of breath) only comes on when I try to lift grocery bags, unless they only hold pretzel, bread and potato chips!!, lol

My doctor put me on Paxil (anti anxiety and Xanax. Xanax knocked me out but Paxil helped after about two weeks.

Hope you feel better. Let me know any questions you have. Louise.

Thank you all. My doctor put me on Seroxat 4 months ago for panic attacks. I'm trying to be positive. I arranged meeting with homeopathy. Did anyone tried? I tried two years ago and I think I got better. I don't remember why I stop taking pills.

I have probably said it before but I want to recommend looking into taking a beta blocker. They alleviate the fight or flight response.
I've taken them for decades now and never had a full blown attack since. You can even take one a half hour before a stressful event.

Take care and hugs to you.
Prior to be diagnosed with COPD I had two similar experiences .It was horrible I was outside walking to work.
It was so hard to think but somehow I managed to phone my husband to pick me up.
My husband made me to go and visit local Medical Practice.
Then I was diagnosed with emphysema .

my dr explained that i get that panic feeling because my lungs are having "bronchospasms" which puts my body into the "fight or flight" mode.
certain smells seem too really set me off. and of course when i have an exacerbation my lungs really seem to spasm & cause me that horrid suffocating feeling.
i hope you feel better soon.
thoughts & prayers are with you.

this is the easiest link i could find, maybe one of the boys can find one better;
http://www.healthcentral.com/encyclopedia/408/591.html