Sounds like an Asthma attack coupled with anxiety. But I doubt the Drs would give you a stronger inhaler prescription if this isn't common. But perhaps you should look into seeing a Dr about the anxiety. The numbness is what happens when you can't take deep breaths and you just take fast shallow ones. I have asthma and have been there before... it sucks and is always scary. Stress can always trigger an asthma attack... add in crying and you get an attack that is out of control.