They get so bad I honestly feel like I need to grab my inhaler. it makes me feel like I'm going to have an asthma attack

I would get light headed after a strong one.

My Braxton hicks felt like that.

I figured that's what the contractions were but my doctor never said anything about darn near not being able to breathe

That's a contraction..if it doesn't hurt and is only every once in awhile its Braxton hicks...they are fun...not lol