Claustrophobia.. Help..?

I've been Claustrophobic for years... I use to ride the school bus daily and I wouldn't have to many problems. I would only have problems when I was having asthma issues and I couldn't breathe well.

But, for the past month or two Every Thursday I take a bus into town because I live 8 miles from town and no vehicle.. But it picks up multiple people before heading to town. Every time I am on the bus I have Claustrophobia attacks.. I get Anxious.. Panicked... which turns to a Panic attack... Which messes with my breathing and I have a fear of not being able to breathe (I have horrible asthma)

Basically every time I get on the bus I freak out... I have NO insurance I can barely get my asthma medication... I don't know what to do I am losing my mind.. I have to wake up at 7 am and its almost 2am.. I cant sleep.. I never sleep well before the ride which is a problem itself.

Any advice would be wonderful... I have tried thinking of random facts... Tried talking with my gf through it... I have tried gaining information on the mental illness and information about buses and such to help remove my fear...

I KNOW its irrational.. I know that its stupid... I know nothing will happen... I know this is all in my head.. but I cant fix it! I am going crazy.. My girlfriend said we didn't have to go but I want to go... I know she wants to go.... We cant get out normally so this is the only way to get out and enjoy ourselves... Im.. just... Im just not sure what to do. I'll ask the bus driver if he could drop us off first..

On the ride home I don't panic until he drives past our road and heads down to another's place which is a few miles away. Thats when I panic. When he is driving us straight to town I don't panic much.. Its just when its a longer ride... I fear it... Help please.. anything would be helpful...