I've suffered with panic attacks since the age of 15, so have had them for over 40yrs.
I can still remember the first one I had like it was yesterday and it scared the crap out of me.
I would recommend going to see your GP too, just so that he can rule out anything else. There are a few physical conditions that can cause symptoms of a panic attack, none of them are serious but I think it's always good to have any possible physical conditions ruled out.
Panic attacks always run a set course and they will always burn themselves out. They are caused by a surge of adrenalin and what keeps a panic attack going is what they call "second fear". When we get a panic attack we get that "omg" feeling and think it's never going to go away so we add more fear and that just keeps on feeding the initial panic.
There are a number of ways to reduce the intensity. A lot of people I know sip iced water or even pop an ice cube into their mouth or bite on a slice of lemon, apparently all these things can work. I think the paper bag has already been mentioned, but you can also do this just by cupping your hands over your nose and mouth. Also learning to breath properly from the diaphragm is really helpful as most people with PD tend to shallow breathe and that makes the symptoms worse.
Panicure is a good site that explains all the symtpoms and suggests ways of coping with them
There is also a forum called No More Panic and also No Panic who have a telephone help line service.

Thanks Lyn. That is brilliant.
Sorry to hear you suffer too. I have always thought it was my asthma but even now just thinking about it my heart is pounding in my chest.
I will make an appointment with my GP. but feel like I am always there at the moment.
I am a little stressed right now so hopefully it will pass.
Thankyou all for your kind wishes.
Sarah

good luck with your GP saz

I'd keep an open mind on what it was, Saz. I had asthma as a teenager, and also had one or two panic attacks begin in very specific claustrophobic and over-heated situations but which I was able to walk away from. I thought the two were very similar, but the panic attack gave me the emotion of rising panic, not just the symptoms - if that makes sense. With asthma, I panicked a bit once I couldn't breathe but I could separate out the awareness. Don't know if that information makes the blindest bit of difference, but they're both horrible so

Hi I have suffered from anxiety attacks for 16 years triggered by the death of my grandad, have been on paroxetine most of that time which has helped alleviate symptoms. (not saying you should go on medication, it was the only way for me at the time) One way of trying to regulate breathing either from asthma or panic attack which I found worked wonders, was to have an elastic band or hair band wrapped round your wrist. When symptoms start to come on, ping the band quite hard, this will distract hyperventilation and calm the nerves or asthma attack. This makes you focus on the band and not your symptoms, I have found this to be 100% foolproof in my case. I think however, you should visit your doctor just to confirm that you are ok. Good luck, whether its a panic attack, asthma or anxiety attacks, none are nice