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Throat or Swallowing Problem causing me to choke on nothing
Help! Yesterday, I was sitting on my couch and I suddenly choked on my own spit. I'd been drinking some orange juice, but had already swallowed it. This was JUST spit. I couldn't suck in air or make a noise for a few seconds, then I got the tiniest bit of air in and started making a truly horrible noise as I fought to breathe in. I repeat, I could not take a single breath. It wasn't shallow breathing or choking on a drink or food...it was only a little bit of spit and I couldn't get any air in at all.
I would make the awful noise as I tried to inhale, and inhalations lasted 7 seconds or so and felt as if they accomplished nothing. However, I know they accomplished something, since after several I was able to cough once. This repeated for a few minutes, with inhalations accomplishing more and becoming easier as I was able to cough more. Finally, I could breath normally, but I continued coughing for a while, trying to get the tiny bit of spit out that was still in there.
It was terrifying for me (I'm 24 weeks pregnant) and my husband, who was sitting right beside me on the couch. He said I turned bright red, but not blue.
This is the 4th time in my life this has happened. Around 8 years ago, I first choked on a glass of wine. Around 5 years ago, I choked on my own spit after swallowing a very small piece of chocolate (I was not choking on the chocolate, just a little bit of spit). A year ago, I woke up choking on acid from acid reflux.
The wine and the acid reflux are understandable, but just choking on my own spit??? Not even a mouthful, just a tiny bit? We nearly called an ambulance each time.
This last time, I thought I would probably be okay, even though my body was telling me I was going to die. I knew because I was at least able to make a noise, which meant air was coming in, and as long as I could cough, I was helping to open the airway.
Please tell me if I should see a specialist or if it sounds like there is anything that can possibly be done about this. I feel as if I came very close to passing out this last time, and I'm afraid that that would spell the end of me. My husband doesn't know what to do...I've told him the Heimlich only makes it harder for me to try to breathe. (We discovered that the first time.)
I hope the couple of minutes without air didn't harm my little one. He was kicking afterwards, so I'm assuming he's okay.
I would make the awful noise as I tried to inhale, and inhalations lasted 7 seconds or so and felt as if they accomplished nothing. However, I know they accomplished something, since after several I was able to cough once. This repeated for a few minutes, with inhalations accomplishing more and becoming easier as I was able to cough more. Finally, I could breath normally, but I continued coughing for a while, trying to get the tiny bit of spit out that was still in there.
It was terrifying for me (I'm 24 weeks pregnant) and my husband, who was sitting right beside me on the couch. He said I turned bright red, but not blue.
This is the 4th time in my life this has happened. Around 8 years ago, I first choked on a glass of wine. Around 5 years ago, I choked on my own spit after swallowing a very small piece of chocolate (I was not choking on the chocolate, just a little bit of spit). A year ago, I woke up choking on acid from acid reflux.
The wine and the acid reflux are understandable, but just choking on my own spit??? Not even a mouthful, just a tiny bit? We nearly called an ambulance each time.
This last time, I thought I would probably be okay, even though my body was telling me I was going to die. I knew because I was at least able to make a noise, which meant air was coming in, and as long as I could cough, I was helping to open the airway.
Please tell me if I should see a specialist or if it sounds like there is anything that can possibly be done about this. I feel as if I came very close to passing out this last time, and I'm afraid that that would spell the end of me. My husband doesn't know what to do...I've told him the Heimlich only makes it harder for me to try to breathe. (We discovered that the first time.)
I hope the couple of minutes without air didn't harm my little one. He was kicking afterwards, so I'm assuming he's okay.
Neither sound right. PVFM sites mention that during an attack, panting, sniffing, or holding my breath will help relieve the spasm. The problem is that I can't breathe in at all. I couldn't pant if I wanted to. I can't get any air in at all. It also mentions that vocal exercises will help the condition. I can't imagine what vocal exercises would help choking/no air entering my lungs. I'm a voice teacher. I really don't think that's the issue.
Esophageal spasms occur when you're eating. Sites warned to stay away from very hot and very cold foods, and none mentioned choking in the airway; they just said the esophagus didn't move food down effectively. One of my episodes happened while I was drinking some room-temperature wine. Another two occurred either AFTER I had eaten OR drunk, maybe a breath or two LATER. I was not choking on what I'd eaten or drunk. I felt I was choking on my own spit. The final time, I woke up choking on acid in my mouth. I'd been sleeping, had an episode of acid reflux, breathed it in, and begun choking.
Any other ideas?
Esophageal spasms occur when you're eating. Sites warned to stay away from very hot and very cold foods, and none mentioned choking in the airway; they just said the esophagus didn't move food down effectively. One of my episodes happened while I was drinking some room-temperature wine. Another two occurred either AFTER I had eaten OR drunk, maybe a breath or two LATER. I was not choking on what I'd eaten or drunk. I felt I was choking on my own spit. The final time, I woke up choking on acid in my mouth. I'd been sleeping, had an episode of acid reflux, breathed it in, and begun choking.
Any other ideas?
2 Comments
This sounds like exactly what is happening to me. Choking on the thinnest tinyest amount of my own saliva,and nothing else. Then instantly can’ Get air. Very panicky.
This is happening to me also, I almost choked to death last night. Just took a drink of water and then I choked and started wheezing gasping for breath, I didn't think I was gonna make it but finally I did catch a tiny breath. This has happened 4 times. I have COPD and recently had a disk replaced and they went in through the throat. Does anyone know how to catch my breath? Really scared of dieing.
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