Thought anxiety was asthma, which equaled weight gain...pissed.

So, I must say that I have been avoiding this site like the plague for the last few months, and it's because I knew I was gaining weight.  After being stationed in Arizona (extreme DRY heat for 6 years) and then Utah (opposite of Arizona for 3 years), and now Alabama (hot/humid, and well...GREEN and everything I am allergic to is in my backyard) I have not been a happy camper.  My allergies have been on overdrive, migraines literally every other day, on 7 different allergy meds (some are not absorbing as well as they should...according to the docs anyway).  I also have allergy induced asthma, and a friend died of last year (he started having a gradual attack in his sleep, didn't realize it because you need less oxygen in your sleep, when he woke up he reached for his inhaler, it didn't work, they went to the ER and it was too late...they couldn't get it under control).  Normally, I don't even need mine, then I started living with it in my pocket...thought I was having attacks almost daily.  Went to the doc after a month of this, and it turns out I'm just crazy .  My lungs sounded clear, but anxiety attacks feel exactly like asthma attacks...so I got caught it this viscous cycle.  I knew I was NERVOUS about my friend dying and my asthma (mainly because my husband deploys and I THOUGHT my asthma was getting worse...so I was worried I was not going to wake up one morning and what was going to happen to my kids?!?), but I never thought it was causing anxiety attacks.  

So, I know this was long tedious story, but with the stress/anxiety/thought I was having asthma attacks I ended up gaining a few pounds because I wasn't working out...thought I couldn't breathe, didn't want to die at the gym!  And now I'm pissed at myself for not realizing the difference between the two, and trying to "ignore" the changes I was seeing in my body. 
I ended up gaining 9 lbs in 2 months, and have already taken off 3 in the last week just by going back to the rules...but still pretty pissed.  

Look on the bright side you caught it before you gained even more back and you have it going back down now. You are aware of the fact that it may not be an asthma attack but I'm sure you still have the worry that it might be. If the doctor didn't advise this I will, go to walmart and buy a pulse oximeter. When you are unsure of which it is place it on your finger and test your oxygen levels. If they are fine you know it's anxiety if they are low you know it is probably the asthma.

Good idea, they didn't mention that but I will look into it. 

Don't feel stupid! I've gone to the ER before because I thought I was having a heart attack...turned out to be anxiety. anxiety attacks can feel like so many other things.

the blood oxygen tester is a great idea. however, ask your doctor about it before you buy one. sometimes anxiety attacks can cause you to take shorter breaths and tightening in your chest, which can in turn read lower blood oxygen levels.

Good luck!