Sudden attacks of choking

Hello and thanks for this forum!
Have had mild asthma since 1985 manifested by infrequent nocturnal bouts of coughing, easily treated with Ventolin.  For the longer bouts that occur after colds or URI's, I use Serevent for several days until the the bouts just go away.  Anyway, that is not really the problem.

Recently, I have begun out of the blue choking, coughing and gagging suddenly while talking.  This happens about once or twice every 3 months or so, usually about a week or two after I have gotten over a cold.  I will just be talking to someone, feel a little tickle in my throat, and begin explosive coughing, gagging and even once vomiting.  When this begins, I have to leave quickly, as i am just mortified and out of control, reeling around, eyes watering, sounding like I am about to die.  People cluster around staring, pounding me on the back and so forth.  The episode ends very quickly, usually in less than 5 mins.  It recently happened while I was scrubbed in for a surgery (I am a nurse), and I was reduced to a coughing/gasping/choking nuisance during surgery!  Thank god it wasn't some sort of critical time during the surgery, and I could run out and someone else scrubbed in!  
I am frightened about scrubbing anymore, and will not until this is solved.  I do hear some wheezes in my lungs (but minor) immediately after this happens, and I tried using Ventolin which does abort the attack pretty quickly.  so I am guessing it must be related.  
What do you think?

[National Jewish]

This sounds like your upper airways have become very irritable and "twitchy

[anairhoads]

Christie,

You mention that you experienced this after you got over a cold? Have you been tested for Strep? Has a chest x-ray been offered by your doctor?

Let me know..

Anai Rhoads

[Concerned lady]

Christie,

What do you and your docs think may be causing your symptoms? Here are a few ideas to consider:

1)Possible latex allergy (gloves in the Operating Room)

2)Possible gastric reflux aggravated by viral upper respiratory infections, where viruses migrate to the vagus nerve or a branch of the vagus nerve, resulting in reflux (see an article by Dr. James A. Koufman, MD--a voice ENT). Reflux is a common cause of choking episodes (VCD/Vocal Cord Dysfunction/Laryngospasm).

This post viral effect can sometimes "derange" the swallowing mechanism temporarily, causing frequent swallowing the wrong way, resulting in actual choking that can lead to a VCD attack.

3)Possible adverse side effects of your asthma meds--Some asthma meds can aggravate VCD.

4)Possible adverse effects of anesthetics (etc.) that you may be exposed to in the Operating Room. Some people get laryngospasms from the bad side effects of certain anesthetics.

Are you anywhere near Nat'l Jewish Medical & Research Center? (Denver, CO). You could get quickly and accurately diagnosed there! (My husband and I got excellent help at Nat'l Jewish!) Nat'l Jewish uses a team of docs & SLP's (Speech & Language Pathologists), etc., to help diagnose & treat patients: Pulmonologists (lung docs), ENT (Ear, nose & throat doc), Allergists, etc.

Call the LUNG LINE at 1-800-222-LUNG(5864) to speak with a LUNG LINE nurse for more info.

Good luck to you!

Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[Nyassa]

A related discussion, sudden choking was started.