laryngospasm

[hazeyjane]

Any experience? Advice?

Yes, about 3 yrs ago, it only happened once, I was on the phone at work and suddenly couldn't speak or breathe. Seemed ages but probably only lasted a minute or so.
Why do you ask?

Because my dd2 (10) has been having episodes at night, originally thought to be whooping cough, however after playing a recording of the noise to a Dr, she has been referred to a consultant and laryngospasm was mentioned as a possibility.

She has been having 3 - 5 episodes a night (a couple in the day, but it has mostly been at night) for weeks.

does she have acid reflux? It's a reasonably well described cause of laryngospasm. It's pretty rare (but not impossible) in awake people but when we go to sleep we may not cough as quickly as normal if acid comes up & gets onto the vocal cords. We see it not infrequently in anaesthesia (completely different causes & management to when it happens in normal life though). Might be worth asking about trying medication for reflux/propping head of the bed up while you're waiting for consultant appointment.

They have prescribed omeprazole to start Mon, whilst waiting for the appointment.

Dd1 and ds both have reflux (ds is having an endoscopy on Thurs) as does dh, so maybe a family thing (although ds's is related to the genetic condition he has). Of all of them, dd2 has never seemed refluxy, although does have a lot of stomach aches, and was under investigation for allergies and intolerances. She also has asthma and eczema.

I just really feel for her, as it is very frightening for her, and nothing seems to be helping. (plus we are all knackered!!)

My dad has them when eating sour foods. Very frightening. I am very sympathetic.

As said above reflux is often related in nocturnal episodes. When the episode happens one way to release the spasm is to try and talk softly. She can start counting and although it seems counterintuitive (she’d like to breathe in), it helps release the spasm as the vocal folds have to move to phonate.

Hi. How is your daughter now?? What came of it all??
My daughter has laryngeal closures several times a week. Her airway doesn’t open without nebuliser adrenaline. It’s beyond frightening.