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.