Throat closing while I'm sleeping

CJR · Post by **CJR** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 2:07 am

Hi All,

I've been done with the program for awhile now and have done much better. Last night (second time this month) I have woken up without being able to get any air because my throat has closed almost completely. I can get a very tiny stream of air but it last for almost 2 minutes. It is very scary and I have an ENT Dr. appointment tomorrow.

In the past, with my anxiety, my throat muscles have become very sensitive to stress and anything else. You know how you get choked up when you begin to cry, but try to keep yourself from crying. When I do that, I start wheezing because my throat closes so much, I have to concentrate on relaxing my throat muscles.

I have been super stressed lately due to Christmas and my childrens new school, plus marriage issues. Yesterday I did have an episode where my throat got tight due to trying not to cry in front of my husband and I did get wheezy for a second or so. I am wondering how much of this might play into this throat constricting at night.

In the past, when I was really bad with my anxiety, I would occasionally have episodes where I'd wake up and know I wasn't breathing for a second, but i'd sit up and it would get back to normal. I didn't know if this was sleep apnea, but it was always worse with stres and anxiety and tended to go away as time went on and I learned to relax.

But this new throat constricting thing which lasts so long is very scary. My husband assures me that the worst that will happen is that I will eventualy pass out and then the muscles with relax.

Anybody heard of this? any advice?

thanks and blessings, Chanin

Ms. Hopeful · Post by **Ms. Hopeful** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 2:13 pm

CJR, I honestly have not heard of this but I wondered if you have any acid reflux issues? Sinus, post nasal drip? That could cause those things??? Hope you find the answers you need!

*One Step At A Time* · Post by ***One Step At A Time*** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 5:39 pm

Don't you hate when you feel like you can't breath its like for that split second you feel as if you are going to die. Everything you can possibly imaging that scares you you think about it then. I get the same problem when I am driving or when I am all alone. Its so hard anymore. But what I try to do is breath in and out slowly. And rub my ears and it relaxes me. I hope that I helped. We need not to live in fear anymore. We must fight this and strive for that free life we once had.

Crave · Post by **Crave** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 10:12 pm

I have been super stressed lately due to Christmas and my childrens new school, plus marriage issues. Yesterday I did have an episode where my throat got tight due to trying not to cry in front of my husband and I did get wheezy for a second or so. I am wondering how much of this might play into this throat constricting at night.

I am certainly no doctor, so the FIRST line of defense here should be to consult with a REAL one, and make sure there is no real underlying physical issue here. Having said that...

I do have a "hunch" though, that the STRESS may be causing all of this. It's amazing what stress can do to us. First, it's normal to be stressed during the holidays. We all are! But there are ways to keep that in check too. Let me know your specifics! As for the kids new school, are they stressed? or are you just being stressed for them?

Change is stressful! But know that you can ALL handle it - you will all find your way with it. Sometimes you just have to let go and let God.

Marriage issues: hmmmm, now THAT is a tricky one. Are you in marriage counseling? You may want to check that out! Since I can tell there is a strong spiritual (Christian) component to your life, you may want to seek a counselor that also has that, like Christian Counselors Association (I don't have first-hand experience with them, but I hear they are good). Find your "root" stressor, and there is a good chance everything else will fall into place. We can't CONTROL anything - only how we react to an out-of-control world.

Hang in there CJR!! Praying for you!!

John

CJR · Post by **CJR** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 3:23 am

Thanks for responding. As far as my kids' school goes, my son (in 8th grade) is very stressed because this school is much harder and he has been sick alot this year so he keeps getting behind. Of course, I can feel his despair and am overwhelmed at his overwhelmedness

This new school is a private school and there is just alot of changes with both my 5th grader and 8th grader. My husband is trying to help as well. I am definitely realizing i am going to have to 'let go' of expectations about his performance and all of that.

As far as the marriage issues. we have had counseling in the past. We have been on a hamster wheel for the past 5 years. My husband had an affair and it's just been a long journey that has not healed yet. Just this summer he left home again and couldn't decide what he wanted. I think he's going through a mid-life crisis type of thing right now and he is struggling all the time with what he knows is right and this selfish person inside of him that just wants what he wants no matter what. It's been so hard on my kids and actually finding out about the affair (on the heels of discovering I had skin cancer just a couple months prior) is what pushed me over the edge and sent me into the longest panic attack in history.

I just feel unstable as far as the marriage goes because I never know what to expect from him. One day he is nice and wants to work things out and do what it takes. Then one day he is cold hearted and doesn't know what he wants. Talk about insecurity. I am trying to get my security from God and not my husband but it is easier said than done. Still working on it

Thanks for the encouragement. I have a dr's appt today. I have a feeling it's that my muscles in my throat are have spasms. I'm taking calcium and magnesium again since i know they are natural muscle relaxers. maybe that will help.

CJR · Post by **CJR** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 11:44 pm

I went to the ENT DR. and did find out what I was having. It's called Laryngospasm. It is caused alot of times by acid reflux at night. Stress and other factors can be involved. One thing I do know is that I won't die from it even though it is very scary. The worst may be that i pass out and then my throat (larnyx) will relax. But usually people can learn how to relax, breathing techniques and get through these episodes.

I was prescribed prevacid and told to elevate the head of my bed. Here is some info aout it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPtdkqOLLP4

http://www.voicedoctor.net/therapy/laryngospasm.html

Blessings, Chanin