Night time laryngospasm

[Rosemary6NT]

I woke at 4.30am with a partial laryngospasm. Partial in that my airway wasn't completely blocked but still difficult to breathe and it took much longer to subside than before (about half an hour). I don't know what caused it as I was asleep when it started. It has always been caused by choking on a small amount of liquid before. Has anyone else experienced this? Inability to breathe has always been my major fear since childhood when I used to get bad asthma.

[matthew55]

Sorry but I haven't yet had that but I thought you should know you're not alone. 😋🤗😗😍xx

[Ellie]

I don't know what caused it as I was asleep when it started. It has always been caused by choking on a small amount of liquid before.

It must have been a scary experience for you Rosemary, it could have been triggered by saliva .

Do you remember if your neck was supported, head lolled back or in an odd position?

I need to have the head of the bed raised, the pillow pulled right under my neck my shoulders to hold my neck (throat) in a good position to swallow throughout the night. I also take meds to reduce saliva during the day.

Love Ellie.

[aussiegirl]

Have it off and on during the day, but never had it at night. It's never lasted that long either, and hope not to experience that. I've learnt to relax and not get upset, but that sounds something else. Hope you find a solution, frightening!

[matthew55]

Try a memory foam v shaped pillow

[Rosemary6NT]

Thanks all. I have to sleep on my right side (because I have a painful bursa in my left hip which screams when I'm on my back), so flat with a neck supporting memory foam pillow. I don't have a hospital bed yet so can't easily adjust my position. I'm thinking it must have been a stray bit of saliva or phlegm. I was ok last night so hope it's not going to be a regular occurrence. I will be getting a hospital bed in a couple of weeks when we have made room but do hate sleeping on my back. Maybe it won't be so bad when I can raise my top half. I don't feel I've got too much saliva unless I start thinking about it, then I have to keep swallowing, but it doesn't last!

[Heather R]

Rosemary, I don’t know the term laryngospasm, but wonder if it’s the same as one of my early symptoms when it felt like my throat was going into spasm upwards and remained locked like that for a few seconds before subsiding. Most uncomfortable and alarming. Is that the same as the term stridor? Xx

[matthew55]

For excess saliva I heartily recommend glyco Bromide. Liquid blotting paper! 👍😁😘😍xx

[Rosemary6NT]

Heather R Hi Heather, stridor is the rasping sound produced when trying to breathe/inhale through closed vocal folds. I'm not sure if what I was experiencing is the same as you. Here is a video simulation, I hope it's not too frightening xx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPtdkqOLLP4&list=PL1713948A40FC4A91&index=13

[Heather R]

Would be interested in seeing video simulation????

[Ellie]

Is that the same as the term stridor?

'Stridor' is caused by a physical blockage or anatomical issue, not by muscle spasms. xx

[aussiegirl]

OMG, I had this 'stridor' thing when I was eating hot chips, it was the most horrible rasping sound ever, it took ages for the food to go down and the noise to go away. Very frightening experience. No hot chips after that

[Ellie]

No hot chips after that

Cold ones 🤔😉😍

[matthew55]

I'd settle for hot or freezing chips. 😉🍟🔥😍xx

[Ellie]

Ooh, me too: salt, vinegar and one end dipped in garlic sauce, yumm. I used to love a well cooked, proper chip, am salivating just thinking of them... 😏😘