So for me, a lot of the battle especially in the beginning was the mental aspect of it. It feels pretty catastrophic at first. Over time as I was able to manage the feeling of air hunger and then constantly reassure myself that I wasn't dying and that I was going to be ok, it helped put me in a better state of mind to worry less about it.

Learning the Buteyko Breathing Method helped me a great deal with various breath hold exercises that reduced the anxiety associated with the "empty lungs" feeling. To this day, I do some breath holds while I'm driving. For example, if I've taken a deep breath that satisfies the air hunger, I'll hold my breath for 20 seconds and slowly exhale and go to shallow breathing which helps me manage the air hunger feeling. Breathing exercises you can do anywhere.

But you would ideally keep telling yourself over again that everything is ok and you will be fine, even if you don't feel like that at the time. The mental aspect of this is definitely a big part of the holistic approach to healing from it.

While driving, use that time to focus on slow, nasal breathing and put on something relaxing, like relaxing music or sounds. Or try to put on something that draws in your attention as a form of distraction. That helps me as well.

Have confidence that it's reversible to some degree, maybe even completely reversible but it does take diligence in retraining your body to breathe correctly and telling yourself that you are ok. Then I think driving would no longer be a negative association, especially using that occasion to practice breathing exercises, slow/calm breathing, and breath holds.