GERD and Laryngeal spasms

[Seabelle]

I've been told several times that I must have GERD because I have had periods of intermittent intense abdominal pain. However, I don't experience any burning sensations or anything coming up my esophagus. I take Prilosec for it and it has seemed to help. I also have seasonal allergies and allergy related asthma. Lately I have had four episodes of a sudden onset of not being able to breathe at all for at least a minute. The airway passage was completely closed. Three of those times I was asleep and woke up. After some time of trying to get air, then coughing so much I begin to throw up (not really food, just fluid), I can finally partly breathe. It took me an hour or two to completely recover and breathe normally. A couple of those times I thought I was going to pass out. I went to my doctor who called an ENT specialist and he said it sounded like laryngeal spasms from GERD. Each of those times of airway passage closure, I hadn't experienced any other symptoms such as burning and acid coming up from my stomach, not even any pain. When I asked about emergency interventions for when it happens, I was told to just take slow, deep breaths which I haven't been able to do because I can't breathe at all. Does this sound like GERD and laryngeal spasms or could it be related to sleep apnea, allergies/asthma?

[Seabelle]

Glad that this has been resolved for you as it is terrifying. The sleep apnea study turned out negative but I actually haven't had any more non breathing episodes for about a month. I still get some congestion in the throat area from allergies and still get some reflux without the burning but it seems to be better controlled with the bed elevated, allergy and reflux meds. If I have any more of the horrible breathing episodes, I will go back to the doctor and ask for the endoscopy. Thanks and good luck!

[Navey44]

I have had the same symptoms of sudden onset of not being able to breath.  Fortunatley for me that was six years ago although it never happened to me while sleeping.  After being referred to an allergist (no allergies at all), he then referred me to an ENT.  As soon as I mentioned to him that I had several episodes of this sudden breathing problem he said, Oh, that is a muscle spasm.  From that point it was all uphill because he said he felt I had several problems going on and was referred to a Gastoenterlogist for a Upper Enodscopy and also was sent for a sleep study test.  I now have a C-pap machine which I use each night and never slept better in my life.  The gastroenterologist put me on a daily routine of precscription relux medication instead of taking the over the counter meds as needed.  So I am happy to say, I have not had another one of those terrifying episodes in over six years.  The last one I had was the worst and I had rib pain for days from struggling to get air. IT IS A HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE EXPERIENDE I KNOW.  Good luck and look into having both those tests done.  A Endoscopy and sleep study.  

[patient915]

I developed this from a virus I got a couple years ago.  I'm very lucky that I am not bed ridden at all and I can walk my dog, volunteer, go to college classes, and live a almost normal life.  I feel very thankful that I finally have a diagnosis and I feel for everyone that is still looking for their diagnosis.

[Seabelle]

Wow, what a challenge that must be. My problem sounds minor compared to  what you are enduring. Have you always had this or did it develop from other problems such a cancer? Are you bed ridden? Kudos for staying so positive while also offering advice to others.

[patient915]

Good, it sounds like you are on a path to figuring out a solution to your problems.  I have gastroparesis (stomach paralysis) along with a small intestinal and colon motility disorder so I'm 100% fed through a J tube and I get IV fluids through a PICC line.

[Seabelle]

Thanks for your welcome and wise response!!! My doctor did refer me to a sleep disorders clinic where they did a sleep apnea study (via equipment I had to take home). Still haven't gotten results back. Meanwhile, at dr.'s advice, I elevated head of bed, discontinued eating or drinking within 2-3 hours before bedtime, doubled Prilosec to 2x a day and began taking Zyrtec. I haven't had another episode for about a week and a half. I did have a dentist appointment meanwhile and lo and behold, he had had the same thing happen for about six to eight months, about once a month. He concluded that it was allergies/sinus drainage at night. He hasn't had another episode in about a year. He knew two others it has happened to. I would like to get a more specific cause so I know how to deal with it; if the apnea is negative, I will follow up with doctor on other possible causes, especially if it happens again. Thanks again. What are you having problems with?

[patient915]

Welcome to the gastroenterology community!  This could be something serious and I would recommend finding a doctor who is willing to look further to figure out what is going on.  It could be allergies and it doesn't sound exactly like GERD/spasms.