scary experience at clinic last week

[Guest guest]

Hello, I've had asthma since 1998. I've on Flovent HFA Fluticasone

125MCG and Salbutamol 100 mcg.

Exactly a week ago today I caught a sore throat. Two days later the

throat infection made its way down into the lungs where it agrevated

my asthma. The Salbutamol puffer I use became useless in clearing the

lungs. So I ended up in the medical clinic where they gave me

Ventolin and oxygen. They told me to keep the mask on until it (the

ventolin I suppose) was finish. And then the doctor walked out.

About 3 minutes later I began feeling light-headed. I though it was

because I wasn't getting enought oxygen, so I kept breathing. Next

thing I remember is a doctor suddenly standing in front of me,

asking me why I wasn't anwsering his question. Only then did I

suddenly notice how fast my heart rate was!

I took the mask off and told the doctor about it. He gave a

concern look as he noticed my very accelerated heart. He told

me to lay down and try to slow my breathing. I tried.

But every time I took in a breath, my heart speeded up

incredibly fast. And then it would slow down very suddenly whenever

I let the air out again. At times I was afraid it would stop beating

completly and so I'd take in a breath before letting it all out. At

the same time I experienced odd sharp pains in the left shoulder and

odd vomiting feeling that came and went. And then there were passing

out feelings.

It was quite a scary sensasion. This is the 2th time I experience

this and don't want to again. What can I do next time - remove the

mask earlier? Have anyone else experience something like this?

..