Choking on Saliva/ Uncontrollable swallowing and air in esophagus

Hi iw84him, from what I've read laryngospasm and reflux are not necessarily linked.  I'm positive that I don't have reflux but laryngospasm seems to be exaclty what I suffer from.  One site that I looked at mentioned damage/trauma following throat surgery.  It stated that nerve endings may get damaged during surgery and regrow to be more sensitive.  Back in 2002/03 I had a number of visits to an ENT department due to persistent tonsilitis.  I had developed a branchial cyst and as part of the investigations into it I first had general anaesthetic and had a panendoscopy - i.e. a camera to look at the cyst.  The surgeon, prior to the operation said that 'whilst he's in there he'd whip my tonsils out!!'  Which I was happy with as I'd had 2 or 3 major tonsilitis episodes every year since I was a teen.  The panendoscopy proved that I also had a branchial cyst and I had that removed some time later.  I can't remember when my choking episodes began but I think that its very possible that the camera may have caused some trauma and affected the nerves in the larynx.  The cut to my throat certainly affected the nerves in my face and neck and I've had 'tingle spots' ever since.  I'll let you know the outcome of the barium meal and the doctors report.

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

This very same thing happens to me. When it happens,

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....

I have been having episodes for years. I just had one 30 minutes ago in front of my son. No eating was involved but I think I just swallowed. This one had me a little more worried as usual because it seemed to last longer, and I began to have chest pain which I think was from the lack of oxygen. I have already informed my GI doctor of this problem. I have a history of Gerd. He seems to think it esophageal spasms. He said there is a test where they go down your throat to check the muscles in your esophagas. he mentioned it was not a pleasant test. He said for the time being to carry peppermint oil in your purse and sprinkle some on oyur tongue when you have an attack. I had a hard time finding this oil but managed to buy some online. Never been able to use it since panic sets in and all you think about is where can I safely passout and not get hurt.  Blood pressure rose to 150/100.

The very same thing happens to me!

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!!

This choking problem it’s common in my family. My mother side of the family has it.

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.

Hi guys. Umm I think you may have whooping cough? I have it right now!

Coughs then throat locks shut. can't breath.

Hye, I've had this for years. It occurs when my allergies act up or I have a cold. My doctor told me that it could be caused by my post nasal drip.

Drink some water, then Take a Ludens and then a Cepacol.

i always do this as i have the same problem: don't panic whatever you do( usually i walk around in circles to distract me from the fear i am fewling) and drink some water immediatley as it relaxes your throath muscles after you drink water breath slowly and deeply a few times than drink more water and you will be alright:) hope this helps and remember they key thing is to NOT PANIC it makes it 10 times worse.

Oh, I forgot!! Don't take anything that will dry you out, like antihistimines. In the long run, it makes this worse. Advil Cold and Sinus and also Sudafed tend to work well when it gets really bad for me.

I believe the problem exists with too much saliva in the oral cavity. I have no idea how to correct this but I guess its better then having a dry mouth. Clean oral hygiene may help the situation.  

So glad I found you guys!  Wish there were an answer but still good to know I'm not alone in this.

Hi FrankG, what has helped me to understand not so much the cause but the effect and ways of dealing it was Dr. Robert Bastian video on laryngospasm (search Dr. Robert Bastian laryngospasm) check it out if you havnt already, it is very informative and gives a very true representation of what happens. also check out silent reflux as as cause?? on a side note, Im happy to say that I havnt had an episode in 7 months since my last baby (#4) was born.

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.