(Author's note: I wrote this in March 2012, but forgot to publish it.)
The scariest word I have encountered is one I just learned.
The first time I had one was when I was 8 months pregnant with my first child almost 18 years ago.
I was eating lunch with the co-workers and something went down the wrong pipe.
I could tell I was choking, so to avoid embarrassment, I took off to the restroom.
Everytime I coughed, air would go out, but I could not suck air back in.
I still had the sensation of "down the wrond tube" so the desire to cough was still strong.
I had no idea what was going on.
I was squeaking, almost like a wheezing sound, while I tried to suck in enough air to cough out the sensation in the airway.
I tried bending over, didn't help.
I leaned over the sink, didn't help.
I tried breathing slowly, didn't help.
Not just a little squeaking, but a panicky, holy cow, are you dying, type of a sound with every breath.
Well, "every breath" takes about 30 seconds of wheezing in order to get enough air to make a 1/10 cough effort. Then, after I coughed a little bit, my throat would shut down even more.
Then repeat the cycle, 10 more times on my first occasion within 5-10 minutes.
It seems nearly impossible to relax in this situation, since I feel like I am suffocating to death.
Scary is putting it mildly. Especially since at 8 months pregnant, it's hard enough to breath anyway.
I think I finally realized that if I quit trying to breathe, then breathed in as slowly as I could, it was barely easier to get air in.
I suppressed the need to cough, since that started the episode all over again.
Funny thing, when I finally finished with my episode and wandered back to where my co-workers were, they wondered why I had run off to choke. Ha, they knew I was choking and none of them had even come to check and see if I was okay.
It is impossible to explain to a doctor what happened in order for him to figure it out. "I am choking on saliva?"
It has happened to me while I drank water and swallowed down the wrong tube. Almost every time.
It has happened while I dozed off in a recliner chair in a mostly sitting position. This one is common for me.
It has happened at the lake after I have crashed while kneeboarding.
It has happened to me while taking the sacrament. That one about scared two bishopric members to death as I ducked into their office to avoid the stares of everyone in the halls and foyer. Mind you, the gasping for air sounds are NOT quiet. Loud screechy, squeaky, asthma attack sounds.
It has happened while I tried to laugh at a joke. I have to suck in air quickly to release a laugh which sends mist off my saliva into my throat triggering an attack.
It has happened while eating a cookie covered in powdered sugar.
It has happened when I have eaten grapes or watermelon since biting them will send juice squirting down my throat before I am ready for it to.
It has happened at the pool while I try to swim laps. You see, even the smallest of particles of mist will trigger an episode, and when you take a breath while swimming, every breath has mist in it. I have since stopped trying to swim; maybe I could use a snorkel, but definitely have to swim in one of the end lanes in case I need to jump out to get air. Can you imagine the lifeguards trying to rescue me when my throat is clamped shut from the inside? And they have no idea that I am not even choking on water?
The last time it happened to me was the worst so far. It was only 2 weeks ago. My spasm was so strong that I couldn't even get a squeak through. It was shut as if with a clamp. I couldn't even cough out. A particle of saliva got misted into my throat, and I coughed hard, as anyone would, to get it out. But by doing so, as in every other time this has happened, I coughed with all my might to get it out of my throat. Thus, releasing every bit of air that I needed to sustain me through an episode. I know that I have to relax in order for the spasm to stop, but it is hard to relax when I can't hold my breath any longer, and I know the spasm is not even close to releasing. Hubby was sitting right there when it happened, so I knew he would revive me if I pass out, but this time it was so spasmed shut that he had a hard time convincing me to stop panicking.
As my spasm started releasing, my kids came running from every room in the house to see if I was dying. They all stood there watching me struggle for a breath. How scary for them!
Try this as an example for relaxing. I mean it, you have to try this. Let out all your breath, all of it, wait 10 seconds. How do you feel? Like you will die if you don't take in air immediately? Now think of it as: you know that you can't take in air till the spasm stops which might not be for 10-20 more seconds. Now, try to RELAX!
At the very slightest of relaxation in my throat, my body will insist on sucking in the air which then produces the loud squeaking noise, much like letting the air out of a balloon when the end is squeazed shut.
After getting so curious as to look it up on google, I finally found a name for it. Everyone who has these is just as baffled as I am.
Some doctors think it is related to acid reflux. I have acid reflux only after eating a combination of a big greasy meal followed by a high fat dessert. ie: a hamburger with grilled onions and a milkshake or D.O. potatoes and homemade ice cream. (Which I don't do anymore, now that I know what triggers it, since that is more intense PAIN than any meds can touch (unless it is a leftover narco pill from a dental visit)which is another story for another day.) So, my spasms don't have anything to do with acid.
Laryngospasm is also common for patients as they are coming out of anesthesia.
Which isn't me either.
But, that would be a good name for a humorous, barbershop-type of
singing group made up of CRN Anesthetists. :) HaHa it IS a group. You'll have to google them. Try Laryngospasms. With an s. Maybe even try youtube if you have time. I especially like the song about hemorrhoids.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xavluTezTnU&feature=related
I actually like most of their songs, as I can relate to Breathe quite well.
CO2 is high, I think you're going to DIE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP2OuZ_vI_s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOrjcLJ2IE0&feature=related
I have heard laryngospasm referred to in a magazine article as "dry drowning." I think they are pretty much the same thing. But laryngospasm is more descriptive of what is happening. So, laryngospasm it is.
Hopefully, you'll never have to experience this near-death experience, but at least now you know what it is.
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