asthma or anxiety attack

Today I went on a 56 mile ride with the team from my cycling group. It was a tempo ride around 19 to 22 miles an hour with lots of hills. I'm not use to hills, but have done them before, about 50 miles at the same speeds. Anyway, I had a horrible day, I got dropped and had to ride some of it by myself. I felt miserable yesterday and should have just taken the day off. During the ride I noticed I was having difficulty breathing but kept going. The end of the ride finished with a really steep and long hill. I pulled into the rangers station and stopped to talk to some other riders. All of a sudden my lungs felt like they were closing up, it was like breathing through a straw but a friend had me sit down and it went away within in a minute. My question is, does this sound like asthma or do you think I had an anxiety attack from getting dropped. I didn't feel anxious or anything but I've heard that anxiety attacks will make you feel like you can't breathe.

Hmmm...as a pretty severe asthmatic of 15 years (although not a doctor), I don't know if it was asthma or not. If it went away quickly, and you returned to normal breathing, it may have been a panic attack or perhaps a result of a combination of lots of things (you not feeling well, the hills, you getting dropped for a bit, heart beating rapidly going up that last hill). It may, however be exercised induced asthma. If it happens again when riding, bring it up to your doc (or bring it up anyway, and see what he/she says).

I'm glad you started breathing normally quickly. I know how scary it is feeling like you can't breathe. You take it easy, and take tomorrow off and rest- your body may be trying to tell you something. :)

A panic attack doesn't necessarily need to be induced by feelings of anxiety. They can come out of nowhere, especially when you first get one. They also last on average 15 minutes. But yes, they can create a feeling of not being able to breathe. Other symptoms are heart racing, sweating, etc. But that's hard to say considering you just climbed a large hill :) I'd keep an eye on it and see if it happens again.

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Originally Posted by Artisan

Today I went on a 56 mile ride with the team from my cycling group. It was a tempo ride around 19 to 22 miles an hour with lots of hills. I'm not use to hills, but have done them before, about 50 miles at the same speeds. Anyway, I had a horrible day, I got dropped and had to ride some of it by myself. I felt miserable yesterday and should have just taken the day off. During the ride I noticed I was having difficulty breathing but kept going. The end of the ride finished with a really steep and long hill. I pulled into the rangers station and stopped to talk to some other riders. All of a sudden my lungs felt like they were closing up, it was like breathing through a straw but a friend had me sit down and it went away within in a minute. My question is, does this sound like asthma or do you think I had an anxiety attack from getting dropped. I didn't feel anxious or anything but I've heard that anxiety attacks will make you feel like you can't breathe.

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I've had both and they are very similar. I have also had asthma attacks brought on by anxiety when I'm riding - ie can't keep up with dh etc. I can tell the difference because I am able to slow my breathing and control anxiety attacks (because I've dealt with anxiety in the past and have learned to live with it) but I can't do it with the asthma. At any rate, no one can tell you which kind you had except a doctor and many times they only go by what info you give them. If you have more breathing difficulties, I'd talk to your dr. Good luck!

PS Sorry you had a bad day regardless - I've had those kind and they suck. They are often followed by better rides though...

Hyperventilation? That's when you breathe really fast and you breathe off too much CO2.

I am in no way, shape, or form a doctor. I do however have panic attacks. There is not a general formula for panic, but it sounds like a panic attack to me. Panic attacks usually occur out of the blue and last for a short duration, but can feel much, much longer. Also, hyperventilataion can bring on a panic attack or something similar to a panic attack.

Watch and see if it happens again. If you are truly worried, call your doctor and decsribe to the nurse what happened. Panic attacks, while scary, are harmless. It took years for me to realise that. I am a slow learner, sigh.

I have never had trouble exhaling during an attack, but as I said not all panic attacks are the same. Mine feel as though my throat is closing.

Whatever it was, I do so hope you do not experience it again.

I had a weird thing like that happen to me during a running race. I ran past a man laid on the street undergoing CPR, with his distraught wife standing over him. I started crying, and almost instantly, felt like I couldn't breathe and like my air passages were closing up. It went away after I managed to calm down, but it was scary.