flowergirl2day

Hi,

I have a peculiar problem. For several months now, I've experienced the following symptoms only after I lie down in bed. (I sleep on my back.)
I've had what can be described as a lump in the throat for months. It causes me to swallow often during the day. I think that the swallowing must be some kind of a reflex.

When I lie down, the very first thing that happens is a change in my eyes. They become watery and tears start running down my cheeks. Next, the nose starts to feel a little congested. It's just a feeling, nothing comes out. Then the lump in the throat becomes more noticable and I start swallowing repeatedly. Next, I start coughing and often I choke. When that happens, I jump out of bed quickly and that makes it better.
When I use two thick pillows instead of just one, it helps a little bit. Not much though. I can't sleep when I am so high up so just use one pillow most of the time.
I have both a hiatal hernia and GERD. The choking/gagging really scares me, especially when I am lying down. I wonder if I could just choke to death. Sometimes it happens in the daytime with no warning. I may be sitting at the computer, or standing, or talking on the phone or someone at work. There seems to be no rhyme or reason. I choke/gag and then start coughing.
I have no idea what it may be. I have severe hypertension as well as a couple of other health issues, plus the hernia and GERD.
Has anyone ever experiences these same symptoms? For the longest time I also suffered with a severe shortness of breath, which seems to have gone away with the addition of Nexium to my medications.

Thank you very much,

flowergirl