I was diagnosed with LPR about 3 years ago and couldn't believe I had it.. I don't have a lot of symptoms--I clear my throat a lot but thought it was post nasal drip..Well, occasionally I get a sore throat or a little regurgitation at night. Well, last night was a whole new ballgame. I woke up around 12:30 with acid coming up my throat and I swear I felt like I couldn't breathe!! I jumped out of bed and stood up and was scared to death.. Well, I went into the bathroom and found my presciption for Nexium and took it. I never took the prescription before so I am hoping if I take the Nexium this problem will go away.. I have no interest in feeling like I am choking to death again!! I am also scared to death to lay down tonight.. :( I think I might sleep in a chair..Has anyone else ever experienced this choking sensation???

Yes, it has happened to me twice. i thinkthe acid came up and went down my windpipe. Thankfully I got my breath back after I stood up and ran to my husband in he other room. It was very scary.

It was extremely scary and I don't even want to go to sleep tonight... And sleeping is one of my most favorite activities!:D

It was extremely scary and I don't even want to go to sleep tonight... And sleeping is one of my most favorite activities!:D

Sleeping is my favorite activity:) and I also have reflux- makes it a real drag.
I started taking Nexium a week ago, because I have a sore throat 24/7.
I hope you sleep well tonight, try some Pepcid AC or something like that until the Nexium kicks in!

I don't know if I have Pepcid but I do have Zantac... Could I take that tonight ?

I don't know if I have Pepcid but I do have Zantac... Could I take that tonight ?
Yes you can take zantac. I'm on Prevacid and sometimes when it doesn't seem to work I take zantac also. Also I sleep in a reclined position and this seems to help.

Yes, I have had 3 episodes and here just recently about 2 weeks ago after work I came home was tired went and laid down fell asleep (about 2 hrs later) woken up gasping for air while choking at the same time and my throat was burning terribly. I had jumped out of bed ran out of the room scarred my kids I couldn't talk let alone breathe hardly ran to the patio door opened it to get air my chest hurt for a few hrs after that episode and I was afraid to go back to sleep this was the worst of the previous times. The first time it happened to me was b4 I was diagnosed having Severe Acid reflux this was back in 2005. I was diagnosed just last year I have it so bad that they found cancer cells and I have to go for yearly check ups now I am due for my yearly check up next month.
My advice is to everyone the first sign of heartburn PLEASE see your doctor and take care of it Aciphex is the best one I have tried all and it really works for me just one pill a day it is expensive but well worth it in the long run.

I have had this happen to me numerous times. Each time I think I am going to die. It is hard to know what will trigger it. I suggest Gaviscon to anyone who gets and episode. I take Acifex, because my insurance won't pay for Nexium. However, if you have a lot of acid already in your stomach, I think you need something to calm the acid instantly. I hav to laugh when I read people are scared to go to sleep. That is why I am up now. My reflux sometimes makes my throat swell. Tonight was one of those nights, so i am trying to keep myself awake.

It happens to me sometimes. I hate it. What makes it so scary is that you can't breathe when you are choking. I wondered several times if one can choke to death. What relieves mine is getting into an upright position immediately. This, for me, means jumping out of the bed. Being in an upright position helps bring the choking to an end and helps to resume breathing, with intermittent cough.
Elevating your bed will help. I can't tell whether or not the Nexium I take affects it in any way. I did not have these choking spells at all before I started taking it.

On Monday Jan 7, 2008 I had gone to the doctor having trouble breathing explained my choking episode due to the severity of my acid reflux the fluid has gotten into my lungs and I am now battling pneumonia. Last year I was diagnosed with Barretts esophagus disease and COPD which are all linked together with my health issues. Im in the process of trying to quit smoking.

I have that choking thing too, during the day also-
I hate it, no one understands why I'm choking, I guess you can't if you don't have this medical issue. And know what it feels like:(

Mamasan,

I used to have the choking episodes only at night. I now have them anytime (most often at work!) It sucks.

What is it, our throats are sore and something like saliva sets us off?
And my eyes start to WATER and WATER, during a choking episode:(
What is the mechanism, in a structural sense that sets us into the choking, its not food- were obviously not eating during the night!
Our saliva in that irritating?

Mamasan~

By the way, its good to know I'm not alone:)

Wow. I'm so relieved that I am not the only one dealing with this. I have been getting the choking feeling a lot lately, and like the rest of you it's really hard to fall back asleep because it's so scary.

Last night in the middle of my sleep I woke up out of nowhere and jumped out of my bed as I was grasping for air. When I got up I felt really light headed and my heart started to race. I then tried to calm myself down and sit down for awhile which did work, but my goodness it's the scariest feeling. I finally have an appointment with a gastro next week. I'm really hoping he'll be able to help me out. :( I'm so sick of this feeling. I can't even eat right, and on top of that because of it i'm losing weight. It sucks.

I have had them at night and it is an awful feeling. Must admit it's when I've eaten something not so good late. I usually can go back to sleep. You won't believe what helps me most when this happens but: No. 1-I have to sniff up some sea salt and baking soda since it feels like it goes up into my sinus, No. 2-Take a swig of Mylanta and No.3-Chew some gum! I've gone to sleep with gum in my mouth but I swear it helps me.

I'm like Flower Girl. I have most of my worst symptoms during the day. PND, cough and choke episodes out of the blue. Always when I'm bending or lifting things. Sometimes my eyes will water. I find that chewing gum during the day helps (good thing I'm able to do that at work since alone most of the time) I know drinking lots of water is suppose to help but I even choke or cough after drinking it. Certainly when I'm nervous or worried, I'm always worse.

Are you taking your meds twice a day or at night? That may help the night symptoms or add Pepcid or another OTC product at bedtime.

Charla

I too have had these. I would wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air, but wouldn't know why. I haven't had them in a while. I started on prescription PPIs, taking one at night, to prevent this from occuring.

And I think the rule about not eating 3 hours before bedtime helps too. Also, I totally quit drinking sodas...I think the caffiene and carbonation can aggravate things. I'd apply the same rule to sodas (none 3 hours before bedtime at least).

Hi,

I know drinking lots of water is suppose to help but I even choke or cough after drinking it.

After drinking a large glass of water before going to work the other day, I became nauseous and stayed that way for a couple of hours afterwards. The water actually made me sick. Instead of the water coming back up as I was sure it would, I experienced some refllux and did not get sick - thank goodness!!! How crazy is that?