O my goodness. I'm so glad I popped in here. Every now and then it seems saliva and occasionally a drink slips a few drops down the wrong pipe. At first I think I'm only going to cough but then it gets much worse and I start gasping and gasping, LOUDLY. The only thing I can do is try to calm down, (by convincing myself I'm still getting air) and to try and breathe through my nose. It's nearly impossible, but I manage. Breathing through my mouth only increases the sensation and causes me to gasp harder. It usually passes within a minute or so, but shakes me up for a long time. I do have asthma and figure my doctors will just blame that like they do everything. Or they will call it a panic attack. But it has nothing to do with my lungs, and it's not panic until AFTER I can't breathe. I always sensed it was high in my throat and some kind of spasm. It is very scary.
NC
I cannot breathe through my mouth or nose. Mine started during sleep, but now occurs during the day also. Am anxious to hear a Dr.'s report....
Mine started happening only when I was awake, but has recently progressed to when I am asleep. My throat just closes up uncontrollably, with absolutely no warning. I usually pass-out when this happens. Seven times I have been given the Hiemlich Maneuver, whick clears it up. Six times I have been alone(when this happens at night), Four of these times I passed-out, awakening "some"time later. I find it very hard to breath after these "episodes". My Dr. has recently diagnosed it as being either esophogial spasms, or panic attacks. He gave me meds for it, but just last night, I had two attacks.
I AM REALLY AFRAID THAT ONE OF THESE TIMES WHEN I PASS-OUT, I WILL NOT AWAKEN!!!!!
I AM VERY SCARED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HELP
HELP!
HELP!!
I don’t know what it is or what causes it but I have notice that when I’m nerves, stressed or in a
Hurry it happens. I sometimes i feel it and I’m able to stop it my not breathing in and clearing my throat
Until it somehow passes. I have asked my doctor and he thinks it’s a panic attack that causes it.
I hope this helps.
Coughs then throat locks shut. can't breath.
Drink some water, then Take a Ludens and then a Cepacol.
I'm still not over a very severe chest cold which came on suddenly, did NOT start in my sinuses, and was NOT accompanied by fever or headache. A breathing test at the Dr's office revealed my lung capacity was at 40% and i was given an inhaler which helped noticeably) I would have severe coughing fits which produced little phlem, but could cause lightheadedness or dizziness, and often gag reflex. I would frequently gasp for air as if experiencing whooping cough. (Never having experienced it before or seen the symptoms, I'm guessing.) I would wake up 3 to 5 times a nightchocking or coughing. I was miserable and weak for the better part of 3 weeks just from the coughing attacks and lack of sleep. I even bruised several ribs from the severity of these spells which cause MUCH discomfort. Nothing OTC seemed to help significantly (except ibuprofen for the ribs). After beginning a regimen of "new" antibiotic, I started feeling much better, but the coughing, although less frequent remains nearly as intense. After 4 weeks, I still wake up 2 or 3 times a night coughing, choking, and whooping. But I've also developed an involuntary swallowing reflex after more strenuous episodes, which is well described in the initial post. I'm concerned that I may have done some permanent damage to my esophagus and/or larynx, and my singing voice may be gone forever.
I can now get up, function, and do my daily routine now, but i never know when i will be ambushed by a coughing spell that momentarily incapasitates me and distracts everyone around me.
I try to stay hydrated, which seems to help, although I seem to have developed a strange aversion to drinking ANYTHING (?). I hope to get some additonal information. Anything i get from my Doc, I will pass along.
I have the same thing as others here. It first started about four weeks ago, I was in bed fast asleep when suddenly I couldn't breath....Could not get any air into my lungs....I shot up from the bed all the time trying hard to suck air in to my lungs...my eyes popping in fear and panic....My wife awoke and started slapping into my back...this lasted for 15 0r 20 seconds although it seemed far longer....When I eventuallygot my breath back...I felt exhausted. I had to sit on the setee for an hour just to get my self together...I wasscared, relieved and frightened all at once.
It has since happened Every night since aprt from three occasions.....I also get the same thing happening in the morning when I first awake and go to the bathroom...I awake with phlegm laying on my throat that I have to clear...once i start to try and clear it....a choking episode will start where I am left fighting for breath, gagging and making all sorts of strange noises as I strugle hard to gulp in some air...My wife God bless her is at my back pounding on it....to try and kick-start the breathing. Once i get my breath back and the phlegm cleared from my throat I am fine for most of the day.....but if at anytime i need to clear my throat another episode will result....It's hard knowing that every night I am going to be awakened by this frightening experience.....and to know I will sure as heck suffer it again in the morning.
I have been to the doctors twice....First time he suggested Sleep Apnea may be the problem and has me on a waiting list to visit a sleep clinic.....On the second visit two weeks later he gave me a steroid nasal spray and suggested it may be nasal drip....I now await an appointment with the ear,nose and throat clinic.....Meantime I am still ahving these terrifying episodes of choking.