Wake up feeling like I can't breathe

[jackeleh]

Several times these past two years I've woken up gasping for air.  I felt like I was about to suffocate.  Eventually, I was able to breathe a bit more and more, and to cough away the phlegm in my airway.  I went to an ENT dr who said this was a GERD issue, Acid Reflux.  I've been taking medication for that and it may have helped, but I did get another attack today.  I've also had a diagnonsis, today, of Bronchitis.  I've had the phlegm for around a week now and another ENT dr. told me that I have Bronchitis and that prescribed antibiotics for me.  So I'm confused.  Is this from the Acid Reflux or from the Bronchitis.  Is it Bronchitis (or Laryngitis) that comes up for me periodically or is it the Reflux?  I've not been smoking for several months now, but I did have a few cigarettes this past week, and I also had a few beers.  Finally, I had some Sushi tonight as well.  Any suggestions?

[Aardvark72]

I have something similar but I believe different at the same time. My throat closes up and I can't breathe. I have to try to pull air into my lungs and it takes several excruciatingly slow inhales (fighting all the way) until my throat opens up again. This is extremely nerve racking. I have had it happen to me twice while sleeping. I have also had it happen when I've had a tickle in my throat that wouldn't go away and my protracted coughing seized up my throat. I had to fight the overwhelming urge to cough while trying to drag in air.

[Victoireh]

Well, GERD that is not well treated and is severe enough that it goes up to your larynx and gets aspirated into your lungs will cause infection such as bronchitis or pneumonia. Eventually over time the acid will damage your lungs enough that you can get COPD, so I really recommend against smoking for this reason. As smoking only adds to the problem. The smoke itself temporarily immobilizes the cilia (little hair like projections in your lungs) that sweep away all the junk and mucous from you lungs. What happens then is that the mucous will collect/pool in your lungs setting them up for infection in the first place. Some lucky people who smoke don't get COPD, but other unfortunate souls who are genetically predisposed for it will.

I suggest you follow up with your doctor to make sure that your GERD treatment is effective and that you quite smoking.