OWS-- Wet Suite- Breathing issue

I have been following the Bt training program and have been swimming a minimun 1000 yds day  4 times a week with 400 yard swims and a series of 100 and 50 's recent training swims were 1300 yards and average @ 2:13/100 I am 6o y/o and overweight but making progress

Also doing at least 45 min aerobic mostly eliptical( bad knee) 3-4 days per week just started spinn class for last two weeks and  open ride only averaging  @ 25 -30 miles per week

Just did a practice open water  First time with new wet suite Xterra vortex John

Suite felt good, snug but not  uncomftorable ,entered water got acclimated and swam @200-250 yds  and my breathing started to become very labored did some breast stroke but could not get breath back continued to swim to guard boat had the back zipper released and started to swim back
STill no breath, fought throught to @ 50 yds from platform and signled guard boat for a tow

Got out of water and still could not catch breath started coughing and bringing up flem
Took a good 15 minutes to recover @ 85 % and even after @ 5 hour still coughing not as badly 

I have heard stories of wet suite issues but this was uncomftorable

I am not asmatic, alergic to anything unusual and never smoked .I ran untill I was about 38 and still never had this type of response

Two questions : anyone ever experience this and can I just keep swimming in pool and see if my muscles can re train for the level of restriction !!