Panic Attacks on Almost a Daily Basis

Thank you for your recent e-mail. I have been having panic attacks on almost a daily basis for the last 6 months. Recently realized I have been having them on and off over the last many years. I am taking both Zoloft and Alprazalam which have helped immensely they treat the symptom not the cause. but I still continue to have difficulty with the feeling of satisfied breathing. I want to be rid of the Alprazalam as a minimum but cannot eliminate the breathing symptoms which I understand help to bring on the attacks. Even the Alprazalam is not eliminating or alleviating the breathing difficulties. It cannot because the issue is probably breathing pattern disorder/mechanical that upsets carbon dioxide and oxygen balance. 

After reading several publications and through discussions with my Doctor I feel I have developed poor breathing habits. I have tried several of the breathing techniques described in these publications but am having difficulty retraining myself. The more I think about it the worse it gets. Going to sleep many times is the only way I can get relief some days. My Doctor believes that I am hyperventilating. Probably so I agree but I also think that it is easy for me to hyperventilate due to the way that I breath. 

I also have Lupus and through the years have had several inflammations in and around my lungs which may have caused the bad breathing habits to develop. I quit flying 16 years ago due to continual flare ups of my Lupus accompanied by breathing difficulties which were probably really panic attacks. Makes sense to me My Lupus has been inactive for two years. I have just had a complete physical and am in good general health. A year ago I went through extensive lung function tests which resulted in no major lung problems but a comment that even though I thought I was inhaling and exhaling as hard as I could it appeared I wasn’t trying hard enough. Often the exact opposite of what you need to do. See this 
I exercise on a regular basis, eat no sugar or flour products, use minimal alcohol and caffeine. 

My goal is to kick my poor breathing habits, control my panic attacks, get off the Alprazalam and be able to fly in comfort. Can you help? Yes. Can you come here to North Carolina? If not get Deepest Calm