choking/cant swallow/lump in throat

Holly J · Post by **Holly J** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 11:40 pm

i woke up feeling like i cant swallow and than like i was choking and couldnt breath. i was choking on nothing really but i had to literally get up from bed. i feel like i can hardly yawn because i get a choking sensation. i feel like i am dying. this is by far the scariest thing iv ever experienced. what can i do to alliviate this?? does anyone else get this. i feel like if i were to drink something id choke on it. i need help

Dalma · Post by **Dalma** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 12:55 am

I used to have that symptom. The truth is that is anxiety and the less you concentrate on it it will go away. When you feel like that concentrate in your breathing and try to relax and distract yourself. I had trouble eating because of that but I forced myself and the fear was gone. Hope this helps.

Charlie Brown · Post by **Charlie Brown** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:35 am

Holly J,

You may also want to check if it's due to something physical.

See if it's Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR.) I went through horrible nocturnal choking spells just about two years ago. I was diagnosed with LPR which is acid reflux that backflows up to the larynx. I take Protonix for this and haven't had a choking spell since August 2006. An ENT and gastro are the drs to help with this.

It could also be sleep apnea. You'd have to go to a sleep disorders facility for this. I didn't have this.

Below is a link on night-time choking.

<A HREF="http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Respirato ... /2311.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Respirato ... 11.html</A>

Keep us posted. {{{hugs}}}

Holly J · Post by **Holly J** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:04 am

dalma, how long did you have those symptoms ? and I am trying to say positive self talk but its so hard. my throat muscles feel so tense and kinda swollen. . . maybe because thats where i store my tension. it is very scary because i feel like i am dying. i dont think this is sleep apnea. . i truly think its BAD anxiety/panic plus i think about it all day but i try tp replace with positive thoughts but it seems to always be in the back of my head.i may have developed (lpr) i dont know. going to the dr next week so we'll see. i was just wondering what people did while having this problem for relief. its so scary. i just took a couple atuvan and it knocked me out within a half hour.

Dalma · Post by **Dalma** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:25 am

I had it for a month or so. I do have acid reflux but it didn't bothered until i started with anxiety When i feel it chew tums but really distracting myself and eating on time helps. Also i drink milk everyday which is a natural anti-acid. I get anxious if i don't eat on time.

Schpludoinkle · Post by **Schpludoinkle** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:28 am

Hey Holly. I had this problem too. This is actually how my panic attacks started 6 years ago. I was eating and all of the sudden got a choking sensation. I couldn't swallow my food, I had trouble eating and drinking becuase I was afraid I wouldn't be able to swallow anything and choke on it. For me it was pretty bad for a while, I still have that problem sometimes and still freak out and worry about it at night. But it dissipates over time, but I never had any tools like the tools we have now to try and calm ourselves down. I know what you mean by saying positive things but that the anxiety is still in the back of your mind. I think that is going to happen until our minds just get used to saying positive things. Even when I have these anxious feelings and they are in the back of my mind I don't stop saying the positive comforting dialogue, I keep going and I do anything to distract myself mentally and physically even if the anxiety is still there. I have been so negative and so anxious and fearful for so long, for years, that this will take me a while to get out of that habit and eventually the bad feelings and thoughts will start to fade and we won't have these body symptoms. Practice makes perfect! It will be the same with you or anyone else as well. Just keep at it and don't stop. I'm not sure there is any immediate relief, I did what you did, I took medicine to make me pass out, but now I force myself to go through it and see that I will be okay. You're going to be okay and I know it's scary =( But you know it's your anxiety and nothing more and that you aren't going to die. Just keep telling yourself that. I hope you feel better VERY soon.

EileenV · Post by **EileenV** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 12:08 pm

Hello Holly:

I have this same problem. I've learned how my anxiety/panic is causing this. I've found herbal supplements to be very helpful. I see a nutritionist for mine. I've also searched the web to inquire into other medical issues that may be a cause. Check the web and search on anxiety and/or panic cures. Also check on hyperthyroidism. I am not a doctor and don't know enough about all of this stuff, but I find it very interesting that the thyroid is a gland that is found in the chest area and up around the neck and throat area and that many of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism are closely related to the symptoms of anxiety/panic. Also check on epinephrine/nor-epinephrine (formerly known as adrenaline), and other various hormonal imbalances. I also have the acid reflux disease which is a major contributor to the problem. Change in diet is a huge help as well. Good luck!
Eileen

Holly J · Post by **Holly J** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:44 pm

im pretty sure its my panic that gives me tension in my throat and chest area. I already went to the dr and they did a blood test and said everything came out negative. . should i go again and get another blood test to check of its my thyroid?? i did make another dr app and i want her to check my hormones to see if that is part of my anxiety but does anyone know what they do to check for hormonal imbalances. . . I feel like if i think about what if i cant swallow so much or what if i cant breath it will just stop and i'll die. this is the sariest thing iv ever experienced.

fightback76 · Post by **fightback76** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:09 pm

Hey there

I have asthma but it is my anxiety that REALLY chokes me up - my friend also was having this problem and it didn't go away until she took an anti-anxiety med (ie lorazepam or adovan) - You should definitely ask your doctor about this - if you try it and it doesn't work, it is more likely a physical problem.

If it does work, use it when you need it, but keep working on the daily relaxation techniques so that you will be able to control your symptoms without it.

Don't give up! You will be ok...

Holly J · Post by **Holly J** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:22 pm

my panic feelings go away with the Ativan but in the morning i feel tension in my throat because I'm sure my anxiety made it that way... and i keep thinking about it