Hi All, I am a 40 yr old male who has been dealing with a choking issue for some time now. What happens is when I lay down to sleep I will wake up a short time later feeling like there is a lump of junk in the back of my throat that I can't cough up. I ended up in the hospital the first time it happened and they ran xrays and checked me out and said they couldn't find anything wrong other than my throat is narrow and seemed irritated. We later found out we had mold in our home and moved out as my entire family was effected by it but now the problem is back and it's only happening to me and not my family. I've tried benedryl to see if it was allergy related and it didn't help,. Sometimes it will start with me just sitting in a chair and not sleeping(watching tv). Its a feeling of needing to cough up something that just isnt there but my air way feels obstructed. When it happens if I suck on a mint or a candy after about an hour it will relieve itself but if I lay down it starts up again. Anyone dealt with this or dealing with something like this?
Hi does your chest feel sore inside not an achy sore but a rough sore, the reason I ask is because I have been like this since January, I had virual tonsilitis and then a chest infection and I still have the feeling of something there which goes when I suck a throat sweet. IT is getting better now as it is not always there but occasionally I feel the need to cough, a dry tickly cough and nothing is there. I cannot really explain it to my GP she looks at me a bit odd, as how do explain the sensation of raw rather than sore. I also have acid reflux and felt that is was my esophogus but she said she doubted i.
No, I don't have any pain or soreness in the chest area. I start to feel the back of my throat (by the uvula) begin to feel as though there is a lump there. I'm thinking it may be a post nasal drip but there may be other issues. I'm going to go see a doctor, it's gotten to the point were I slept about 2 hours last night if I was lucky.
As far as your situation goes, don't let the doctor treat you like you're odd. If you're feeling it then you feel it. Just because they don't understand whats going on doesnt mean it's not happening.
I've seen a doctor for this before and they gave me allergy medicine and it didn't help much then they thought it might be GERD. I can sit in a chair and these symptoms will happen and I don't feel any heartburn or anything coming up. I'll post on here if I find out what this is but Im hoping to find someone with similar symptoms that can help me get some relief (and sleep). If I find anything that works I'll put it on here as well.
As far as relief goes, what I have learned so far....
sucking on candy or mints helps, also a popsicle or ice pop
keep some sugar free mints by your bed, small ones, don't want to have a large candy in your mouth and fall asleep and choke on it. that would be ironic :-)
gargle with warm water and salt mixture
herbal tea with honey
hot shower
nasal spray(prescription strength) helps
nasal strips that help with snoring, seem to help me sleep better
laying on my side helps (although I am a back sleeper so this take some getting used to)
Hello, from personal experience it sounds like you may have sleep apnea or at least severe snoring. I have sleep apnea and I experience a swollen uvula after sleeping on my back, which sounds a lot like what you are experiencing. Your doctor should be able to send you for a "Sleep Test" (an observed night sleep) to see how often you wake up, sometime unconsciously in the night.
I wish you the best, I know it can be unpleasent.