Welcome to the club, kiddo! I have had asthma since I was 5 - in my case, it is definitely inherited, as Dad's asthmatic, and so are all my siblings to some degree. Once you get it under control, it'll be not a big deal, but it is scary when you just cannot breathe!

What meds did they put you on? Do you know what your triggers are? I am on Singulair and an Advair inhaler, and with that combination, as long as I keep it up with the Advair like I should, and take my allergy meds like I need to, I rarely need my Albuterol - the "emergency" inhaler.