What does an asthma attack feel like?

Hi Alexandra and thanks for this excellent question. Asthma attacks can feel different for different people. Sometimes the exacerbation can be different from one attack to another for the same person. I thought this article on that very topic might provide you with some additional insight for your concern: https://asthma.net/living/what-does-an-attack-feel-like/. I hope you find it to be helpful. Wishing you well, Leon (site moderator)

I don’t think I always noticed I was having asthma issues but, after being diagnosed and treated, I realized the chest tightness, coughing so much I could hardly talk, wheezing, feeling out of breath doing fairly easy activities and waking up feeling short of breath where all asthma. I blamed all that on working too much, being tired, being sick, being out of shape, being too sensitive etc. I used to have respiratory infections all the time. I once woke up feeling like I could not move air and my lungs were being squeezed shut. I thought it was an allergy to a pain med for some dental work I had. I have no doubt about the allergy but that experience made me feel like I had to feel that bad if I had asthma. At my last appointment I was told I might have some permanent damage to my airway because I likely had asthma for a long time. So I think looking back, if I suspected I was having asthma issues (flare or attack), I would get medical care. I feel bad because I work in healthcare but completely underrated my own symptoms.

I feel like I’m having a heart attack. I recently had to go to the ER and was hospitalized for several days. I get short of breath, then get crushing pain in my chest. I was diagnosed with Adult Onset Asthma. It started with a cough I could not get rid of about 4 years ago. I’m struggling at this point, it’s been 2 weeks since my hospitalization. If I do to much my symptoms return.