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General health

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Original poster

Dh keeps waking up in the night literally choking.

13 replies

onlygirl · 31/10/2011 13:57

It's not every night, but some nights it is more than once. Last night it was about 4 times and he has to get up and walk around for a bit to calm himself down.
He's not over weight, quite fit and doesn't eat anything before bed. He is going to see the G.P on Thursday but didn't want to Google the symptoms doe's anyone have any ideas what it could be or any helpful questions he could ask on Thursday when he goes? TIA

OP posts:

Mabelface · 31/10/2011 13:59

Does he snore?

Original poster

onlygirl · 31/10/2011 14:07

he does occasionally!

OP posts:

abeautifulbutterfly · 31/10/2011 14:12

My DH does this and we think it's his tongue slipping back into his throat. It seems to be worse when he's generally overtired and stressed (so most of the time atm).
My sympathies, it's very scary! He also snores, btw. When he does it if I am compos mentis enough I push him over onto his side (he tries to sleep on his side as this helps too) and try to get him to say something, though he's usually too panicked to listen to me... His brother does it too apparently.
Will be interested to see what your GP says.

BOOareHaunting · 31/10/2011 14:19

I have done this a few times and it is terrifying. I then find I get too scared to sleep with makes it worse. I don't know what it is and have never seen a GP as it's happened about 5 times in 2 years so not frequent.

I feel as if I've stopped breathing and wake up struggling for air.

Hope he gets some answers.

FoxyRevenger · 31/10/2011 18:36

Does he have heartburn? I sometimes wake up choking on the acid coming up my throat, having then aspirated some and it takes quite a long time to feel my breathing goes back to normal.

If he does I'll try to find a link with more info.

ChrissyHynde · 31/10/2011 21:04

My DH has had this problem, on several occassions literally fighting for breath with me stood around helpless. Anyway he went to the docs and got a nasel spray which he used daily but it did the trick.

CotherMuckingFunt · 31/10/2011 21:10

Check out the symtoms of Sleep Apnea. Dh has this and the mask has really helped.

Eurostar · 31/10/2011 21:12

Sounds quite classic sleep apnea. Don't let GP fob you off - sleep studies are expensive and there are long waiting lists but a simple mouth guard can do the trick if it is down to him being a tongue base snorer.

victoria37 · 31/10/2011 23:19

@onlygirl,this is prob the only post i have ever replyed to,i have exsactly the same symptons,it 1st happend when i woz in spain,i just stopped breathing for no reason,my mum called the dr who gave me a valium injection,didnt work,i had a feeling of a lump in my throte for years,over time as i have got older it had happend many times,i woz even to scared to go to bed,i slept on the sofa for a year,even then it would happen,it is really terrifying,but 1 thing you have got to think, i 1st had this happen when i woz 15/16 and im still here,now 37,my gp,and hospital specialist said it woz all stress related,even if he doesnt feel stressed it can be subconsious,HE REALLY WILL BE FINE,AND HE WONT CHOKE TO DEATH...i really feel for him as i have sufferd years with this sympton,also it isnt apnia,its just stress related.if u need anymore info just let me no,god bless...x

Fixture · 31/10/2011 23:30

Could be acid reflux as Foxy says.

HansieMom · 01/11/2011 01:01

you could have him wear a tee shirt with a pocket, put it on backwards, and put a tennis ball in the pocket. then he cannot sleep on his back.

madhattershouse · 01/11/2011 01:05

If he stops breathing for any length of time during sleep then it may be sleep apnea as previous posters have suggested. My DP had this and has had his tonsils removed and his epiglotis (?) reduced. He still snores but at least he is doing it rythmically, not stopping for minutes at a time!

PigletJohn · 02/11/2011 10:07

does he sleep on his back? Is liable to cause it/make it worse.

For some reason I and my chums also get it at very high altitude (might be the dry throat, I don't know)

If it is a "sleeping on the back" thing, he has probably got into the habit, you can try helping him to arrange himself comfortably on his side and poking him to roll over whenever he goes on his back and starts snoring.

If he is very very tired and just wants to sleep for a bit, try this (it really does work)

lie on your front, with a pillow under your chest to hold you in a comfortable position (face not pressed into the mattress) and another pillow that you can rest your forehead on. Think person lying on the beach position. Maybe arms crossed above head if it feels comfortable.

If it really is sleep apnoea, it really does need medical help as lack of sleep is quite damaging and will make him dopy. If he is fat, smoker, drinker, attack those things.

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