violent coughing...is it laryngeal spasms?

[Deba22]

Hello. Yesterday my doctor suggested I might have Laryngeal Spasms, and while I wait 2 months for the Throat specialist to get my appointment, she suggested I look online.  But my symptoms don't seem to match all of yours...no voice problems or 'breathing' problems.  I just get these violent coughing attacks that literally feel and behave as if I inhaled a bread crumb, and my body suddenly and violently is trying to cough it up.  And just like when we are choking, I have a hard time catching my breath during these violent choking fits.   By the time I'm done 4-8 minutes later, I'm shaking, tears streaming down my face, and I've probably wet myself.  Its horrible!  Does this sound familiar to anyone?  Oh, and this happens at all hours of the day and night, and usually, its not when I'm eating.   Its frightening to wake up from a deep sleep choking like this. She suggested curbing any reflux I might be having, but I rarely ever have heartburn (but I'll try anything now!)  I do note that it happens more often when my respiratory system is weakened by a cold, or allergy season, or even a little cough.  I'm thinking she might be in the right ballpark, but not the right diagnosis.  Thanks for your help.  

[joyce194722]

This is exactly what I have had since December, it's now April.   I looked up pertussis,  and found that we (ages around 65) did not receive a vaccination for pertussis.   The doctors didn't begin giving these vaccinationsuntil around the time we had our children.   Thus, many adults our age are now getting this.   I am so happy I read your post.   The online CDC (Center for Disease Control) says a vaccination of Tdap will help us.   Im telling my doctor tomorrow.  The following website let's you listen to people who have this.   Take a listen.   This is exactly what I have been doing.   http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/pubs-tools/audio-video.html#pertussis-sounds.  

[kriegerg]

I also have the gaging cough at least once a day.  I have only had the throat spasm 4 times.  Yesterday had one around my daughter she was really scared. Also I couldn't breath and was wheezing.
I also have seen ENT and Pulmonary Specialist.  Nothing helps the coughing.
I spoke to my GP Dr. and will try carrying an EPI pen to see if this will work when the throat closes.  The difference this time is a severe Migrane for 2 days.  

[Zekie2002]

Omg. I have been going through this for years. I have a chronic cough, but when I feel that prickly sensation in the back of my throat on the right side I know I am going to have one of these coughing fits. I cannot breathe. I feel my airway is closed. I have learned to try not to panic, that is difficult, and to breathe. When I am in control I bring up mucus as well as huge burps. I cough for 10 to 15 minutes  after which I become shaky, my face is so red and tears streaming down my face. I am embarrassed so I hide in the restroom at work or my office until I am composed again. Sometimes when I eat something and it hits that spot in my throat I will have a coughing fit. Chemical odors, perfumes, cigarette smoke, dust, candles, incense, cold air, air conditioning and heat all trigger a cough. I went to a throat specialist and all he said was he could see nothing and I had such a huge gag factor. I went for pulmonary testing and nothing was found. I went to an allergist and my only positive was to yard grass. I had a coughing fit one day at Home Depot suddenly and right in they'd file of the alley coughed up mucus and my coffee; I couldn't control it and I was so embarrassed. Usually I have these coughing attacks at work. Occasionally at night when I am sleeping. I embarrassed myself once in a restaurant, I had a coughing fit and passed gas;  everyone around me started laughing; I wanted to run and hide. I go in a grocery store and immediately start coughing. My grandmother had the same issues. My big fear is when I have an attack and cannot breathe is that I am going to pass out or won't be able to breathe again.

[Terri3359]

Terri3359
I would love to know the name of the site. I'm having that same problem. I had a cold about a week before the spasms started.

[Terri3359]

Yes. It is very scary. They are telling me I have broncitis. And I'm on steroids, albuterol, cough medicine with codeine and mucinex. I've had broncitis plenty of times before but not like this. I looked up the laryngospasm on the internet too. It doesn't seem to be too much about it, no real cause or treatment. I sleep very little because I wake up coughing and fighting to get any air in or out about every hour or two. Exhaling seems to be the worst. I've been experiencing this for 9 days now. I don't feel like I'm getting any better. They xrayed my neck and chest, took blood and urine. They said they can't find anything wrong with me. I sure feel like there's something wrong with me. Terri3359.

[Laurel45]

I can only relate my symptoms and you can compare them to yours:
Last summer I was besieged by violent spasmodic coughing fits after a sudden twitch, tickle or spasm at the back of my throat. I could not speak or breathe and had to dive into privacy where I coughed up mucus continually, almost gagging. Drowning in mucus. Eyes streamed, nose ran. Very unattractive and quite frightening. Gasping for breath. These occurred several times a day and at night with no warning except for that ominous throat tingle/tickle to start them off. They were violent and uncontrollable. I tried everything: allergy relief, honey, cough syrups - nothing worked to control the attacks.
The fall was spent seeing numerous specialists (ENT, Lung, etc.), having chest X-rays, CT Scans, PET scans. Nothing turned up. By mid winter the coughing fits had stopped. The doctors were stumped.
In the spring I had yet another coughing attack, then another. So I decided to do some self-diagnosis. After much research, it turned out to be Chlorine Poisoning in my case. As soon as I stopped adding Chlorine tabs by hand to the pool, the coughing fits abated and disappeared. I was taking in Chlorine gas just by opening the bucket and then through the skin on my hands by handling the tabs.
So I know not all of you are dealing with pool Chlorine tabs per se, but you are swimming in heavily chlorinated pools, and dealing with loads of cleaning products and bleaches that are full of Chlorine.  Chlorine is hugely poisonous to our systems. Google it: Chlorine Poisoning. And then check what you do on a daily basis and see if Chlorine is involved. Cleansers (industrial and domestic), bleaches, solvents for dry cleaning, insecticides, dyestuffs - anything with Chlorine in it should be handled with utmost care so as not to breathe the fumes or let it penetrate the skin.
I hope this helps even a few of you...