Laryngospasms, I think I'm going to die

In just the last week I've started having 1-2 laryngospasms a day. I started researching from there and have decided I likely have LPR. Can someone please share with me the best first steps? I am terrified of randomly being completely unable to breathe, it's now all I can think about. I'm painfully aware of clearing my throat, coughing, sneezing or just speaking, knowing it could throw me into a spasm.

I've learned to breathe through my nose and lift my arms during a spasm, but now it's time for medical intervention. Please tell me the spasms go away when you get the LPR under control. I can't imagine a life with this.

Any advice on what type of doc to start with, questions to ask and what's a waste? Changes I can make now? Please help me!

Welcome to the forum Randijt.

You could be having an allergic reaction. I would see an allergist as soon as possible.

I get allergic and "just" sensitivity reactions from eating certain "trigger" foods. My allergist had me keep a good "food journal" including everything I eat and drink as well as all medicines with date and time and reactions, especially within a half to 1 hour.

Look up those keywords in the search box at the top of the page to find many posts and links.

Hi,

I know it's terrifying but you can control it and you won't die. I've read over and over in medical jouranals and from sufferers that have even passed out. That is very rare, but your body kicks in and sounds the alarm and your adrenaline pumps and even if you passeed out for a second, you just bounce back and can breathe again. The PANIC makes it worse, just hang on and know it will pass or call 911 if you feel you need to. better safe than sorry. First go to ENT doctor and they will put video-scope down your throat to confirm LPR .It's painless. It can be from acid-refulx even if you've NEVER had symptoms like me and it can also happen from an allergic reaction as I have had to cetain "anticonvulsant" meds commonly tried for pain purposes...i.e.topamax, cymbalta.

I had a horrible one after drinking some strong coffee a year ago, my throat closed. My doctor said probably not, but no air was coming in or out and I calmed myself and it passed. It would also be good to see allergist and maybe carry an inhaler if you have conditional asthma. Taking 60mf od dexilant in AM and 150mg of Zanatc an hour before bed and it disappeared, but caffeine is a big trigger for me. your body (stomach, throat )is revolting against acid i guess

Good luck!

georgi303 said...
Hi
Do you have pain with these spasms? I have throat tightening and feeling of being strangled or choked. Also, can't breathe, or feel like I can't. In fact, right now it feels like the front part of my neck muscle is going in 3 directions and cutting me off. I don't typically have pain so I'm wondering if mine too is a esophageal spasms.

Georgi303, I have no pain. When they first started, the harder I tried to breathe, the less I could breathe. That's the only sign/symptom. When I looked it up it said "larygospasm" and they are common amongst people with GERD. I've had heartburn since I was about ten, I'm 32 now, I think it's escalated to a scary level.

I started a few days ago on Zantac which has helped quite a bit. I stopped and picked up Nexium tonight on the way home. It's going to be a few weeks until I get to the doctor. My voice is choppy and cuts out as well. But for a long time prior to the larygospasms starting I had been treating heartburn with Rolaids just fine. I have had a cough and I think that's what's thrown it over the edge. It's terrifying not even being able to gasp for air.

elky said...
Hi,I know it's terrifying but you can control it and you won't die. I've read over and over in medical jouranals and from sufferers that have even passed out. That is very rare, but your body kicks in and sounds the alarm and your adrenaline pumps and even if you passeed out for a second, you just bounce back and can breathe again. The PANIC makes it worse, just hang on and know it will pass or call 911 if you feel you need to. better safe than sorry. First go to ENT doctor and they will put video-scope down your throat to confirm LPR .It's painless. It can be from acid-refulx even if you've NEVER had symptoms like me and it can also happen from an allergic reaction as I have had to cetain "anticonvulsant" meds commonly tried for pain purposes...i.e.topamax, cymbalta.
I had a horrible one after drinking some strong coffee a year ago, my throat closed. My doctor said probably not, but no air was coming in or out and I calmed myself and it passed. It would also be good to see allergist and maybe carry an inhaler if you have conditional asthma. Taking 60mf od dexilant in AM and 150mg of Zanatc an hour before bed and it disappeared, but caffeine is a big trigger for me. your body (stomach, throat )is revolting against acid i guess
Good luck!

I'm learning how to make them less powerful each time one swings around. It is exhausting to be mindful of how I breathe, cough and sneeze, for fear of having my throat close.