New here and a bit scared.

Hi everyone, my name is Denise and I had a really scary incident last night.  I was told by a doctor a long time ago that I had Gerd or reflux..not sure which. I told him what was happeneing and he prescribed me Rantidine. Well since then I have lost my insuraunce and have been taking over the counter rantidine.

 I wake up at night choking and have lots of acid in my throat. Last night it happened and it was the worst ever. It seemed like I was never going to catch my breath. This morning I can't hardly talk from being so hoarse. This was the scariest "attack" yet. It dont help matters that almost exactly a year to  the day my step-mother died from choking to death. It had nothing to do with Gerd..but it was what was running through my mind. I never have these choking spells any other time than at night.  It happens every couple of months. One thing, I did not take the rantidine before I went to bed last night..I felt ok. I guess that was my first mistake. Anyway, it really scared me that it took longer to get my breathing under control. I usually vomit and burp alot after these incidents. I really could use some reassuring. Can you pass out after a while trying to catch your breath? Usually I can just start breathing through my nose and I calm down quick, but last night I just felt like I couldnt do anything. Can you die from this if you pass out? Sorry, I am not trying to be an alarmist, but this one really shook me up. As I said, I have no insuraunce so is there a really good OTC med to take? Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks! Denise

Denise -
Welcome to the GERD forum. I always had very good results using prevacid, but I haven't tried the otc stuff yet. Might give it a try though. speden is right about elevating your bed too, about 4 to 6 inches. I'd probably go 6 inches with the info you have given us. You have to raise the feet of the bed and not just ad pillows or prop up the mattress. This will let gravity help keep things where they belong.

Take care,
Bill

Thanks so much for the replies. I will try elevating the bed. I appreciate knowing I am not alone.

Thanks Denise..I appreciate all of your suggestions. I am not sure I understand what a proton pump is? Is it medication? I am hoping to gain some insuraunce sometime soon so I can get to the doctor. I am just starting to get my voice back after two days. This was the worst attack yet..I have to admit, it kind of makes me afraid to go to sleep :(

I am not sure how I would take medicine or drink water when I am having the attack, when it happens I am gasping for breath so badly. I seen where someone wrote that what the problem is, is I can't seem to exhale for a bit during the attack. Like I said, usually I can catch my breath by breathing through my nose, but this time it was impossible. I hate that it wakes you up out of a dead sleep!

Again, thanks for writing :)
Denise

Denise,
I've recently visited an allergy/asthma doc, who said that when you can't breathe like that it's due to a spasm in your vocal chords. That makes perfect sense in your case, since you've had vocal hoarseness symptoms after the attack.

He gave me a paper and asked me to practice what he calls "Relaxed Throat Breathing". Here's the procedure. He said the procedure should be practiced when there is no attack (it's called a "Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion (Vocal Cord Dysfunction)")

RELAXED THROAT BREATHING EXERCISES
During practice:

1. Sip water before and after doing these exercises.
2. Exercises:

A. Shoulders Down
This is the cue for you to relax

B. Hand on abdomen
This helps you focus on easy abdominal breath support--the best and most relaxed way to breathe.

C. Gentle, quick "sip" of air IN (sip, sip, sip)
Breathe through your mouth
Relaxed lips
about 1 second inhale each sip

D. Gentle blow OUT (blow, blow, blow)
Through slightly tight lips
about 2-3 seconds for each blow out

3. Practice 5 reps, 20 times per day when you are NOT having symptoms.

4. Make it automatic, and use it at the first sense of throat tightness to prevent or suppress the VDC. You may start with the inhale or the exhale.

5. Use it to "pre-treat" yourself before known triggers for VCD. (This would be difficult in your case, since it wakes you up...you could practice it, though, so you're ready when it happens)

6. This technique can also be a "stress buster" tool to use in other situations.

Actually, Protonix is also a proton pump inhibitor that is now in generic form, but not over the counter. Ritchg may mean OTC meds. There are acid pumps in your body that produce acid and send it to your stomach. The medication stops the pumps from producing the acid. It is much more effective than Zantac-type medications, although, as I said, with extreme reflux problems, both work well together.

I hope you will be able to visit a doctor soon. Until then, if you can get your bed elevated, it could make a real difference. Also, be sure to practice the breathing exercises, so if you get yourself into that situation, you can know how to breathe effectively without panic.

Glad you're with us, Denise. We'll do what we can to support you through, but as Kitt always says, we're not doctors, and your best course of action is to get to one as soon as you can to be evaluated and treated. Until then, you can try the things suggested here. Many have gone through similar experiences, so what we can offer is our own experiences. We can't diagnose, or provide you with medical advice...just our own personal knowledge, gained from our own struggles with GERD.

Good luck, and practice that breathing!
Denise

Denise, I'm glad you found us! When I was struggling, there were many very negative forums on the internet, and many that are not actively responded to--threads whose last activity was sometime in 2008!

This is a great group of people. I came when I was considering having the Nissen Fundoplication surgery to repair my non-functioning valve (the LES, which is supposed to keep acid in the stomach). I'd read very frightening things about the surgery and its results, and at this forum I found people who'd actually experienced the surgery and had very sensible, positive, and realistic things to say. They guided me through my decision, surgery, and recovery, and I am very appreciative. Because of the help I received here, I decided to remain an active member, and see if I can pay some of that kindness forward to help another person in search of help. In addition, I've made some very good friends, and I love keeping in touch with them!

Sip, sip, sip, blow, blow, blow! Practice, so you've got the tools you need!
Glad to hear you're going to be proactive and help yourself in whatever way you can right now.

We're here for you!
The other
Denise