I am asthmatic and claustrophobic. Does being asthmatic necessarily mean that you will also suffer from claustrophobia? Maybe. I read about this in Prevention magazine. It seems that recent studies show that there is a surprising connection between asthma and psychological problems, that is, depression and anxiety. If you’ve ever been in a situation where you couldn’t breathe, then it’s not hard for the mind to extrapolate, “small place, no air.” In the last year or so, unfortunately, I’ve had a few anxiety attacks brought on by my asthma. For example, during our trip to Russia I acquired some bug. When we got back I was sick for a good 6 weeks with a cough, sinus problems etc. So coughing exacerbates asthma. I go to my allergist, take all kinds of things and still have trouble breathing. One night I wake up sweating and gasping for air.

I tried not to panic. I was able to slow my breathing and snap out of it. But it was scary as hell. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have a full blown panic attack. But back to asthma and claustrophobia. I have tried to overcome the phobia. A few years ago, while in Rome (oh, another vacation dropper), we decided to go to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica. Now if you’ve ever been to these old churches you can only assume the people who built them must have been 5’5″ and 150lbs because all the aisles are so narrow and low. I decided to give it a (my mantra is if God put it on this earth, I want to see it.) It was July and peak tourist season. As we start to ascend, you’re walking in a spiral. So you really only see the There are hundreds of people in front of me and hundreds behind me .

There is no escape! My dear, dear husband. How I love him so much. But what does it say? “This can’t be very good for your claustrophobia.” Script: The wife reaches back and strangles the husband. Life: “I love you too darling.” As she approaches the top of the dome, she now leans to the right because the ladder mimics the dome. Aid!!! Fortunately, every few steps there was a small crack of a window. She would stick her head out the window, take a deep breath, and continue. I made it to the top! Congratulations! Now back down… Over the years I’ve climbed the Great Pyramid of Giza, dived into the Valley of the Kings, entered caves in Borneo (big ones) and had a cat scan. I can fight him, but I can’t beat him.

For the last 5 years I have been receiving allergy shots. My asthma is almost, ALMOST, under control. And I’ve actually gotten better at being in small places. But, any movie or TV show that has a person locked in a room, a room with no windows, or, God forbid, watching kill bill, forget it. I can’t look. If a terrorist wants information from me, just threaten me to put me in a small windowless cell and keep my rescue inhaler… I’ll talk, I’ll talk!!!!! Oh, and no, no diving. Engulfed by water and breathing through a small tube? I do not think…