Having suffered from this and after a particularily scary episode last night found this article which described this perfectly and actually has some practical solutions to help
According to Edward C. Rosenow III, M.D. with the Mayo clinic, Laryngospasm (luh-RING-go-spaz-um) is a brief spasm of the vocal cords that temporarily makes it difficult to speak or breathe. With words like brief and temporary if actually sounds quite innocuous. For those who experience it however it is nothing less than terrifying.
Imagine waking up in the middle of the night terrified. Your throat feels as though it is closing up and you are choking. Some people describe it as if you are drowning. Or perhaps you start to cough and instead of the coughing spell ending, all of a sudden your throat closes up and you feel as though you are gasping for air and breathing through the tiniest of tubes. That is what a laryngospasm feels like. I cannot imagine any greater fear than not being able to breathe. The larynx is the pathway to your lungs and is ever so important. It is not something you want to have spasm. I could post the whole article but it would take some time but maybe just look it up
According to Edward C. Rosenow III, M.D. with the Mayo clinic, Laryngospasm (luh-RING-go-spaz-um) is a brief spasm of the vocal cords that temporarily makes it difficult to speak or breathe. With words like brief and temporary if actually sounds quite innocuous. For those who experience it however it is nothing less than terrifying.
Imagine waking up in the middle of the night terrified. Your throat feels as though it is closing up and you are choking. Some people describe it as if you are drowning. Or perhaps you start to cough and instead of the coughing spell ending, all of a sudden your throat closes up and you feel as though you are gasping for air and breathing through the tiniest of tubes. That is what a laryngospasm feels like. I cannot imagine any greater fear than not being able to breathe. The larynx is the pathway to your lungs and is ever so important. It is not something you want to have spasm. I could post the whole article but it would take some time but maybe just look it up
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I bet that is the issue I am having. I already have anxiety but I try to not get medicated but instead just take care of myself best I can. Its hard but I don't want to live reliant on meds. thanks for this info
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That is exactly me! The noise we make when our airway closes, we can't talk, we don't want people to give us mouth to mouth because its a waste of time, we don't even want to be touched, and we're scared enough when its happening. Got one last night, Walk through the house, my daughter hears it, but I went outside, it opens when it feels like it. But its scary, I thought this is it!
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Is there a chance you have a herniated disk in your neck? You should have it checked out by MRI.
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I have 2 herniated discs and my choking happens directly in front of the herniated discs. C3 thru C5.
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Thank you soooooooooooooo much! I have been looking for an answer for years and years.
One doctor even made me feel like my life was worthless. Most people don't believe you until they witness me gasping for air.
Because of your findings I found this which I think even explains it better. THANKS AGAIN.
Sue
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Have you had an endoscopy? Sounds like it could be an esophageal spasm. I have a hiatal hernia with silent reflux and esophageal spasms are common with that - basically feels like a heart attack.
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I have my throat close up too. But as far as acid reflux goes, I used to get it. I cut out greasy food, and MSG. I had to look at all the ingredients in everything I buy. Gravy, stuffing, Mac n cheese, pretty much anything that is packaged. Good thing now, is that most companies are making their food without it. Bell peppers could do it too.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
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Are you a doctor? If not, and I doubt you are, you shouldn't be diagnosing or better yet dismissing people's symptoms as hypochondria. There are medical problems that cause this that are related to the soft palate and the sinuses. People are looking for answers not a smart ass dismissive retort.
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