Choking on Saliva/ Uncontrollable swallowing and air in esophagus

I've had these attacks for over 20 years nowNo it's not asthmaNo it's not SinusitisNo it's not reflux(Although it has caused reflux and sinusitis to develop now)Ambulance people think I'm a smoker but I have not had cigarettes since I tried one at 14yo!(Mind you I did work 25 years in restaurants walking through clouds of other's exhaled smoke at my head height!)My first attack was when I was pregnant with my third childThen every night like an alarm at 6pm I'd choke!"Die quietly" was one of the first phrases my children learntLike you all I was hoping to find answers but finding other sufferers makes it more bearable!

Wow more than20 yrs!!!! Omg I barelly started 2 wks ago I'm 50 yrs n never been sick I'm 190 lbs 5'7" n pretty scared please HElP with advice you all !!!!

This same thing has happened to me several times over the last year and a half. It's scary. I feel like I'm going to choke to death.

I have experienced that same exact thing and since I was too freaked out and can't stop coughing, I decided to Google it. It is somewhat comforting to see that others have experienced this scary phenomenon too. The only things I believe might be common denominators for me are that I have been having sinus and ear problems and was very tired. So far it has only happened a few times months apart while sleeping. I was concerned it was related to asthma, but seems more like choking on saliva.

I lived inside my flower shop for 17 years, two different locations. I never had choking episodes during that time of even before. I am 57. Since I retired in May of 2011 (2 ½ yrs. ago) and we moved into my mom’s condo basement I have noticed I cough more. We checked for mold and there is none. My post nasal drip has become more frequent and my sinus issues more frequent.

I never get sick, my husband is jealous of that as he gets sick a lot. We both have MS (multiple sclerosis) also by the way. Me since 1990 and him since 2006. However, with that said, he got sick this past summer and I caught it but in me it turned bronchial. I did have bronchial problems but not for over 20 years. This was when my first choking episode happened. I would wake up abruptly and sit up on the side of the bed gasping for air in a panic. I have never had GERD, I know all about it as my husband had it so bad he had surgery for it as the machines would not work on him. At first you think you are going to die and then you get your mind back and try to focus. I have never passed out (yet) from it. My loud gasping wakes my husband up and he comes around the bed to me and tries to help me. He tells me to put my hands over my head, he pasts my back, he keeps asking me if I am OK, he asks me if I want him to perform the Heimlich maneuver on me. I just sit there gasping and shaking my head or giving him thumbs up or down so he knows what to do or not do.

That was July when it started, now it is November a couple days until December. I finally got well but it took a good three weeks. I did have more choking episodes not just at night but a few times sitting up. Never while eating. So since being sick in July I have had choking episodes, a couple while sleeping, a few just sitting, and a few while eating. I eat WAY TOO FAST I know this, but I never had choking episodes before and I've eaten fast all my life.

Over a year ago “misshopeful” posted that her doc suggested it was post nasal drip causing her choking attacks. He told her to not take antihistamines or anything that dries you out. I have taken Tylenol PM (store brand) most nights for a long time. When I lived at the flower shop I did not have any choking episodes, but since I lived here I have. So I don’t see how the antihistamines could be bad. I also use Nyquil Nightime (store brand), more than the other in the last year or less. Both of these along with Nyquil Zzzzzzzzz all have antihistamines – that is the active ingredient. The Zzzzzz has the same active ingredient as Ty PM but the Nyquil Nighttime has a different drug. I like the Ny Nite the best. Not sure why, I just do. If I don’t take these it is a 50/50 chance that I will sleep soundly. I never can tell. I did stop taking it all cold turkey for about a year and I didn’t notice any difference in anything healthwise. I started taking it again as it allows me such sound sleep.

I don’t have trouble swallowing at all. I have, however, had a weird feeling in my throat (sort of) like an air bubble presence that just does not go away but then I will notice I don’t feel it at all. It comes and goes for like weeks at time. It is not something I couldn’t live with, just a slight annoyance but does not seem to interfere with anything. I didn’t notice it until we moved here I think, not 100% sure.

This is the best place I have found so far that I can relate to. My fear has died down a lot since reading so many of your posts. I am not a doctor person even though I have MS. I just don’t trust most docs and you do know why they call it a Practice right? They are practicing on us! I did finally get Medicare after being on SSDI for two years. I got a BCN Advantage supplement but it is the free one and it lousy but I can’t afford more. So going to get this checked is not something I want to do.

I use a wheelchair if I go anywhere from severe arthritis in my left knee and right hip. I use a cane at home. I used to weigh 374 (my highest weight). I slowly lost weight over the last seven years and now I weigh 268. I don't think any of this is significant but I am a detail person and you never know what might help others to know. we also joined a gym one year ago and have been pretty regular at three times a week with some sporadic misses here and there. My breathing seems fine considering my overall health. I don't smoke and haven't for over 17 yrs and I only smoked three years then and then didn't smoke for ten yrs. before that andf only smoked for five years on and off at that time. I have not had a drop of alcohol for coming up on 12 years. I use Stevia and am somewhat healthy cooking conscious. And I only did drugs in high school.

I have not read all the posts yet, so maybe as I keep reading I will learn more. Thanks for this place!

It happens to me all the time. I also pee during the episodes - awful!! I was looking on-line because I've had three episodes in the past two days. One was on the way to work this morning and I will now bring extra clothes with me at all times. I had my uvula out when I was small and think that might have something to do with it... Any help/suggestions would be wonderful!

I have been researching laryngospasm and LPR a.k.a. EERD (not GERD). Someone on this forum spoke of it and I believe I have both. I understand it now and it just makes too much sense. The symptoms fit all too well and I have been doing the suggested responses and it has helped. Look up Dr. Robert Bastian on youtube with the word laryngospasm if you have to. The biggest thing that has helped is making myself not panic. The larynx/vocal cords are already having spasms so panicking just causes it to be worse. Relaxing the throat is key. Then he explains something called (I think it was him) straw breathing. It is basically (while you are wanting to gasp for air) breathing in as if you were inhaling through a cocktail straw. Constantly inhaling in small amounts will open the airway faster than gasping. Hope this has helped.

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Even though I put spaces in the website address for this doctor I see that is not allowed either. Just do a Google search with this doctor's name and add the word laryngospasm. There is a lot out there about LPR and also laryngospasm. I am learning a lot about post nasal drip also which is a big part of this whole thing. If LPR is left untreated or unaddressed it can lead to a few different bad things so I am really looking into what I can do about it. I am trying some trial and error on myself concerning foods. I have never had any food allergies but I am 57 now and who knows - this old gal might not tolerate foods as well anymore.

I just had the same thing now. i was sleeping until i started chocking and saliva went down the wrong pipe and i couldnt get it out.. i am so worried. i told my dad that i want to get my throat and lungs checked, i almost cried from this horrific experience... what could it be

OMG, am so glad I found you guys as well, I have been having these eposides for like 15-18 years, maybe it has happen to me 5 times, it is the most scary, horrifying experience I have every had in my life, and it is like the saliva goes down the windpipe and then you cant even grasp any air to breathe, this last one I had recently last nite 12/22/2013, I am always alone, I wet myself, threw up it was the wrost one yet, someeone please find out what we can do, each time seems to be getting wrost and each time it happens I think I am dying.. I ran straight to the bedroom and ran cold water and started trying to take little sips of water, putting water on my forehead. I am not the healthiest person, I am a black 55 year old female who does smoke, but that is it, the salvia always goes down my windpipe when it occurs. I am so scared that one day I will not be able to come back from not being able to catch my breath, could someone please see if we can find some type of help.... I am so ready to contact my primary care physician and ask them what can I do, its not just a shortens of breath, when the spasams attacks the esophagus it closes and I think it may not open up again, it is so horrifiying...One time I was drinking a soda (Pespi) and it got stuck, OMG, I thought this is it, but after coughing and straining for air, it cleared .. I also have tried looking this up on the internet and this is the first time I have found you guys with the same problem as I have.. I too have prayed like no ones business to :GOD please dont let me die like this" ALONE... and i am not going to say am not the healthist person, because I have a primary care physician and I do go to the doctor on a regular basis and get my check ups, but this one here has me really worried....

i just wanted someone to hear my story too, but GOD BLESS YOU ALL....

siting down, keep your arms behind your back and incline your head down this will force the trakea to open this will allow you to breath. keep calm and breath slowly

Siting down, keep your arms behind your back and incline your head down this will force the trakea to open this will allow you to breath. keep calm and breath slowly

If it is the trachea that is closing up that sounds great. However, with laryngospasm the larynx is what is closing up. Training yourself to not panic and breath in as if through a thin straw allows the vocal cords/larynx to take in air steadily enough to start breathing normally within a few seconds as opposed to gasping and it taking a full 30-60 seconds and longer for some.

I have had this exact same problem. It's been going on now for over a year, and it is getting worse.

I've had the same problem for years.

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