wtf i almost just died

[cofi]

Woke up from a sound sleep just not and couldn't take a breath at all no air would enter my lungs I was GASPING for breath nothing was happening I jumped up and finally was able to get just a little air going in but man it was scary my stomach feels full of acid

From the little googling I've done it seems I aspirated because of acid reflux....anyone else deal with this? Probably one of the scariest feelings ever to wake up drowning like that

[Irving]

Do you sleep with your left arm over your head?

[Great-Kazoo]

Do you sleep with your left arm over your head?

Bet ya his wife was doing some pillow pressure testing.

If you think it's AR, try using some cider vinegar, mixed with warm water 1/2 hr before bed. I use 1 tbsp. - 2oz water. Also don't sleep prone. Try propping you head up with an extra pillow. Under your head, not over it ;)

[GilpinGuy]

Holy shit man. That would freak me out bigtime. I have friends who have sleep apnea problems. Any symptoms of this before?

[flogger]

Did you wake up coughing? If its AR you would also have that acid burn in your throat. Watch the late spicy meals and the prone sleep position as well. I've heard of people tilting the whole bed to keep the head above level.
Youre right, its scary.

[buffalobo]

Sleep Apnea, jacked up tummy from panic and instant full adrenalin dump, throwing body into metabolic overdrive.

[buckshotbarlow]

If you think it's AR, try using some cider vinegar, mixed with warm water 1/2 hr before bed. I use 1 tbsp. - 2oz water. Also don't sleep prone. Try propping you head up with an extra pillow. Under your head, not over it ;)
Try this, but if the symptoms continue, DO not fuck around with this. See a gastro doc ASAP as it can cause permanent damage to your esophagus. I had esophageal achalasia, saw the doc, they did a dilation and the problem went away. Been clean for 4 years now, but I do get esophageal spasms every now and then when I overeat. Small price to pay, but at least I don't have the alternative of a rubber tube running from my mouth to tummy.

[Great-Kazoo]

No answer. Wonder if he had a feather allergy attack ;)

[MarkCO]

Have had that happen a few times. Usually too much food, and or foods like pepperoni pizza too late is what triggers it for me. Doc says lose some weight, don't eat at least 3 hours before bedtime, etc, or get 10 years younger. :). Had pizza the other night at about 7:30, went to sleep at 9:00, used 2 pillows.

[kwando]

Sleep Apnea, jacked up tummy from panic and instant full adrenalin dump, throwing body into metabolic overdrive.

Bingo!! Get a sleep study done. I have it and sleep with a earth vader mask.

[Skip]

You should see a Doc OP! Get it figured out.

While you still can (Obamacare)...

[cofi]

I'm blaming Jim he gave me some awesome chilli on Sunday that the wife and I tried to recreate last night (ours was way spicier :) )
I had a huge bowl then another around 9 that probably did it if it happens again I'm going right to the Dr

[cofi]

In the future should that happen again does anyone have any tips on getting my airway opened again? I noticed once I was able to get enough air to exhale I was able to start pulling in some bigger breaths

[Jmetz]

I use to have this happen somewhat regularly. Hasn't happened in about 10 years now. It would scare the shit out of my ex wife. She was awake once and said I just stopped breathing for about a minute. Not much for tips other then once your conscious force yourself to take a breath and try not to panic.

[buffalobo]

I use to have this happen somewhat regularly. Hasn't happened in about 10 years now. It would scare the shit out of my ex wife. She was awake once and said I just stopped breathing for about a minute. Not much for tips other then once your conscious force yourself to take a breath and try not to panic.

^^This.

[davsel]

Yup, it is scary as hell.
Happens to me when I eat too much/too late.
Getting old ain't for sissies.

[Auger]

I've had stomach acid creep into my lungs twice while asleep! Painful and scary to say the least.

[blacklabel]

I've had stomach acid creep into my lungs twice while asleep! Painful and scary to say the least.

I've been there. It's great incentive to change your diet.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[spqrzilla]

Smaller dinner meal, no snacks after dinner, raise the head end of your bed an inch or two and maybe some rantadine at bedtime - that's what the doc will likely say.

[Tim K]

I went around and around with this. In some cases, the acid is attacking and irritating your vocal cords. They are the valve that keeps crap out of your lungs, and when they get irritated they close even when there is nothing trying to get into your lungs. It can be very scary.

Once my doc figured out what was going on (I spent months traveling up to National Jewish), the treatment was just breathing exercises. The objective is to get your vocal cords to relax when they are not actually keeping something harmful out of your lungs.

Here's a link so you can see if this fits your symptoms.

http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/vocal-cord-dysfunction.htm


I forgot to add that my doc told me that if I passed out my vocal cords would relax enough to let me breath again. Small comfort, but it probably won't kill you unless it scares you to death.

[Auger]

Smaller dinner meal, no snacks after dinner, raise the head end of your bed an inch or two and maybe some rantadine at bedtime - that's what the doc will likely say.

And that is what the doc told me! I've since stopped taking the rantadine and been fine.

[Rabid]

This happened to me once and it has to be the scariest moment i can remember. Hope you get it figured out.

[DSB OUTDOORS]

I have "Hiatal Hernia (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDQQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fdigestive-disorders%2Fhiatal-hernia&ei=4USyUq2xIqer2QWcuoGACw&usg=AFQjCNF8gdN4EEeFrx960i6IJtyn-QGA7g&bvm=bv.58187178,d.b2I)" . Meaning the flap at the top of the stomach is irregular and doesn't close all the way. Took an upper GI to diagnose. No biggie. Dr. gave me "Prevacid" I live on this and it's available over the counter now. http://www.prevacid.com [Beer] (http://www.prevacid.com)

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

In the future should that happen again does anyone have any tips on getting my airway opened again? I noticed once I was able to get enough air to exhale I was able to start pulling in some bigger breaths

If you truly have OSA, get treated.
Actually, even if you have GERD, get treated. That's my advice.

[streetglideok]

Woke up from a sound sleep just not and couldn't take a breath at all no air would enter my lungs I was GASPING for breath nothing was happening I jumped up and finally was able to get just a little air going in but man it was scary my stomach feels full of acid

From the little googling I've done it seems I aspirated because of acid reflux....anyone else deal with this? Probably one of the scariest feelings ever to wake up drowning like that

Been living with it here for years now. I'm on 40mg of Prilosec a day, and have an upper GI exam done every other year. I also have a hiatal hernia as well, just to add to the fun. My father has it, and actually had esophageal cancer. Luckily it responded to treatment back in 1992. Needless to say I have to watch myself. Things that are acidic, like tomatoes, etc have to be kept to a min. I eat as soon as I get home, and do not lay down for at least 4hrs. Twice I've had to go into ER because of food becoming stuck above my stomach, due to irritation, and weak muscles. This is actually pretty serious, and best head to your doc, soon. I can give you the name of my primary if you like, and she can do the referral.

[MrPrena]

Bet ya his wife was doing some pillow pressure testing.

If you think it's AR, try using some cider vinegar, mixed with warm water 1/2 hr before bed. I use 1 tbsp. - 2oz water. Also don't sleep prone. Try propping you head up with an extra pillow. Under your head, not over it ;)

I usually fall asleep when I am on prone.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/109972-sleeping-positions-mean/
http://hamptonroads.com/2012/10/sleep-positions-what-your-body-might-be-telling-you

[rondog]

I have severe sleep apnea and have been using a CPAP machine for 15 years. It's my bestest friend in the whole world, sleeping is impossible without it. My personal supercharger!

[Dlesh123]

In the future should that happen again does anyone have any tips on getting my airway opened again? I noticed once I was able to get enough air to exhale I was able to start pulling in some bigger breaths

Don't wait for it to happen again, go to the doctor and start solving the issue you have, GERD or Sleep Apnea or both. Lot of good advice on here, raise the head of your bed by two inches, eat less at night, lose weight, apple cider, proton inhibiters ( Prilosec,nexium,Prevacid) esophageal dilatation, CPAP, watch what you eat. Like others on here, scared me no end the first time I experienced severe symptoms of GERD, thought I was choking to death. Prilosec was my lifesaver, but it has it downsides. Like they say, getting older is not for sissies. Good luck getting the solutions.

[cofi]

Well it didn't happen last night I didn't do any late night snacking as recommended and used an extra pillow I'm gonna chalk it up to me not being able to eat huge bowls of spicy chili 10min before bed anymore lol if it happens again I'll see my doctor but I'm hesitant to do it before then because she's quick to prescribe stuff and I don't want to be taking medication I don't need

[rondog]

FWIW - never take a sleeping pill and a laxative before going to bed either......

[Pistol Packing Preacher]

Smaller dinner meal, no snacks after dinner, raise the head end of your bed an inch or two and maybe some rantadine at bedtime - that's what the doc will likely say.
Try this simple remedy! Works!!!

[Limited GM]

I didn't bother reading all the Drs on here's suggestions. .......I didn't note where they'd been to medical school.

See a Dr.