Symptom/Problem

I have been diagnosed with Barretts esophagus, acid reflux disease and IBS  I presently take Nexium for the acid reflux.  I have had an endoscopy done three times and am scheduled again on June 4.  I have been experiencing a "choking" sensation to the point of being unable to lie down at night.  I have to sleep sitting up.  It feels like a "sharp pin" is "sticking" me in the left side of my throat and it will not stop until I let water slowly trickle down my throat.  I have not been able to get any answer on this problem except "its part of the acid reflux disease".  I cannot go anywhere without a bottle of water with me and sitting up to sleep is not sleeping.  Is this all I can expect and is this a common symptom and can anything be done?
Thank you.

[Concerned lady]

The "choking" sounds like VCD/Vocal Cord Dysfunction, also called Laryngospasm. You can read about this on my website called "Can't Breathe? Suspect Vocal Cord Dysfunction!" It is at http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

GERD is a VERY COMMON CAUSE of VCD/Laryngospasm. There are also many other causes, like sinus problems, bad air quality ("indoor air pollution"), and lots more. See Page 4 of the website for how to stop the VCD attacks each time. See Page 5 & 3 to find your underlying causes, which you need to gently fix.

I will also do a "cut & paste" below, of some GASTRIC REFLUX TIPS (WITHOUT ACID BLOCKERS) that greatly help my husband and me, and many others, so that we don't have VCD attacks now!

Hope this helps!******************************************************

Some GASTRIC REFLUX TIPS (without acid blockers):

GER=Gastro-Esophageal Reflux. (Gastro=stomach. Esophagus=food tube.)

LPR= Laryngeal-Pharyngeal Reflux. (Larynx=voice box, containing the 2 vocal cords. Pharynx=throat, above the larynx. The larynx is above the trachea/windpipe.)

Reflux=acidic or alkaline stomach material that backs up into the esophagus (food tube), causing any of these problems: VCD/Vocal Cord Dysfunction/Laryngospasm attacks, cough, voice problems, asthma, globus (feeling of lump in throat), constant need to clear throat, worsening of sinus condition, sore throat, pre-cancerous conditions of throat &/or esophagus, etc.

SOME GER/LPR CONTROL THINGS WE DO, that we learned from the excellent book: STOMACH AILMENTS AND DIGESTIVE DISTURBANCES, by Michael T. Murray, N.D. See page 9, References, in my website: http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com   and, also see GER/LPR info on page 5, and on LINKS page.

PLEASE READ THIS GREAT BOOK. It may possibly be bought on-line, from Michael T. Murray