Woke up with mucus plug on windpipe - couldnt breathe!

[NeverBeenToMe]

This was about 1am - finally managed to get a breath after making the weirdest noises trying to, and shift the mucus after about the longest 30-40 seconds. I actually thought I was going to die. Fucking terrified about going back to sleep tonight!

Anyone else had this? Any tips how to deal with it? Have googled, and read about GERD/GORD but I'm pretty sure it wasn't acid reflux - just mucus. Gross. And did I mention bloody scary.

[gingeroots]

NeverBeen I have larynxspasms ( as does my mum ) and they're very frightening indeed .

You have all my sympathy ,horrid being on your own .

I think you should visit GP and discuss with them .Waking in the night with spasms or choking in your throat are what they call red flag symptoms that require investigation .

IME you don't get a mucus plug or food or anything with this type of spasm ,though of course in your case it's quite possible that a lump of phlegm irritated your larynx and made it go into spasm .

I have also had problems ( now being treated ) with food getting stuck in my throat . The food was getting stuck because acid reflux had damaged my throat . The spasm and food sticking are different though I think connected because the acid can also eventually irritate the larynx .

You can get mucus if the oesphagous is irritated by acid reflux and acid reflux can be "silent" where you don't realise you have it .

Sleeping propped up will help a lot .

[NeverBeenToMe]

Thanks for the replies I made it through the night - common sense dictated it was a one off, but I got nose drops and did a menthol steam inhalation at bedtime too. I think my post was a stealth request for a comforting handhold - Im an LP (where the L stands for lonely as well as Lone) and sometimes you need to share these scary things!

[thegreylady]

Sleep propped up on several pillows-I use 4 to make a sloping back rest.It really helps.The alternative is to raise the head of the bed.

[Showtime]

Agreed, sleep sitting up if you feel it might happen again. GP told me it's easier to breathe if there's some air movement, so opening a window could help, or switching on a fan.

[KurriKurri]

I had laryngospasm after an general anaesthetic - and it sounds exactly as you describe - it was fucking terrifying, and I was surrounded by medics, so must have been worse for you, you poor thing.

I have no idea what you can do about it, but if it's any consolation I've only ever had it the once, and I don't think you would actually die from it, I think it is a reaction that rights itself. It just makes you panic stricken when it happens.

I think being propped up well in bed is supposed to help, so maybe you could add a few more pillows

[NeverBeenToMe]

No, no cold. Got some nasal drops and stuff to put in a steam inhaler. Googled lots - it felt like how laryngospasm is described.