unable to breathe heartburn

[taialou]

Last night I was awoke with a sudden bout of acid reflex.  It came on all of a sudden and I couldn't get my breath.  It scared me and I stayed up took some Tums and then went to sleep in the recliner.  I suffer with vocal cord dysfunction and any type of irritant or cold or allergy can trigger uncontrollable coughing where I cannot breathe.  This was different it was so severe and immediate like a hot ball coming into my throat and not being able to catch a breathe  for what would be 3 normal breathes. Unable to ask for help or anything so when it finally passed I didn't bother to call anyone.
What do you think caused such a severe response?
Taia lou

[National Jewish Health]

This excessive response of severe vocal cord spasm was probably caused by your not just having reflux into the esophagus, but having actual aspiration of acidic gastric contents into your larynx and onto the vocal cords.  It could also be related to the fact that you already have vocal cord dysfunction, with hypersensitive cords likely to over-react to any noxious stimulus, especially one as noxious as this one.  We can only imagine how scary this must have been.

You should think back to last evening to try to remember if any of the following might relate:  a large meal, especially if ingested late in the evening; alcohol in any form before, during or after the meal; sleeping with fewer pillows than usual or sleeping in a cramped position that could have put pressure on your abdomen and abdominal contents.  You should also discuss this with your doctor, who may add to the list of things that might have led to this regurgitation, may want to confirm the diagnosis and may want to prescribe preventive medicine.

In the meantime you would do well to eat some hours before bedtime, with no large meal in the evening, with no bedtime "snack" and no large quantity of liquids at that time; with the avoidance of alcohol in the evening.  You could also reduce the chances of massive reflux by elevating the head of your bed 4 to 6" on blocks, rather than with more pillows or a flexed bed that would put you in the jack-knife position.

Good luck.

[taialou]

Thank you that was very helpful.  I do eat some sweets before I go to bed, seems like that is when I am craving them and usually chocolate.  I very seldom ever get reflux some indigestion, but I agree with you completely and will bring this up to my doctor on my next visit.
Thank you again