Gagging/choking

[Jennyfoo]

The past few days, with this horrendous headache, I've also had another problem crop up. I keep waking up choking on my own saliva. It's terrible, because then it irritates my lungs and I end up having coughing fits; not good with a pressure HA obviously. I've also noticed that most of the time, when I breathe, I have a whistling, kind of like asthma wheezing, but i don't feel I'm having asthma and my inhaler doesn't make it stop. This has been going on for a few weeks. Carbonated beverages feel weird, almost painful going down too. Are these normal chiari symptoms? I don't have a dr to report them to...yet. Still waiting on referral to UCSF.

[selmaS]

I would tend to have that drooling issue when it was going to rain...more gaging too...my post nasal drip was more like Niagara falls than PND which I feel made me choke.

Ask ur dr about PND as it is also a cause of GERD...and a good nasal spray may be beneficial.

"selma"

[Jennyfoo]

Already on prilosec because I'm on NSAIDs for arthritis. I saw a GI in March. I have gastroparesis. It only flares up when neuro symptoms do. I know it's chiari related. I've been having issues with drooling; never been a drooler. I know that's another symptom of chiari. Im thinking the drooling caused me to choke.  Ive never had that happen before.  Hubby's watched me sleep enough that we're pretty sure i don't have sleep apnea. My lungs are feeling better today. Yesterday was pretty bad. My HA has gotten a bit better finally too. It was 8-9 on pain scale for 3 days. No fun. It's down to about a 6 now. I can deal with that a lot better. Been really dizzy though.

This chiari can sure affect so many body symptoms, it boggles the mind. When you think about it, what's more likely; that I've got tons of different problems, or one problem at the root of it all? like dr House says, "coincidences in medicine are rare. it's all connected." or something like that.

[selmaS]

Hi...Lizzy is correct on all she has mentioned...see ur PCP right away to be sure u do not have nething settling in ur lungs.

The one thing I do want to mention is  if u do have reflux it could be what is causing ur gaging as Lizzy mentioned  could be reflux...so some things u can do to help is elevate the head of ur bed...avoid eating 3 to 4 hrs prior to lying down, avoid spicy foods, alcoholic bevs...and carbonated bevs. And one last thing to avoid is dairy products later in the day as they can slow ur LES and allow the acids to move up where u do not want them.

See ur dr to find the root cause of ur issues.

"selma"

[n40066]

abscent gag reflex is an ear mark trait of chiari.  causes all sorts of weird/painful feelings!  try taking some prilosec otc....if you have developed acid reflux or gerd, that will help you right away.  you'll notice a difference within 24 hrs usually!  if it does help you, you need to go see a gastro. dr asap for an evaluation to rule out other things that may be going on as well and to make sure you don't have an ulcer...
also, you might want to consider a sleep study, as sleep apnea is a concern for many with cm.  
finally, winter is upon us....you might want to consider a visit to your pcp to rule out any resp. issues....the last thing you need is fluid lurking in the bottom of your lungs, my friend!!
hope this helps!~

elizabeth