Can you really choke from acid reflux

[Cazz10]

Just wondering as iv woken twice from my sleep gasping for breath it really felt like I was choking but after some coughing and a few burps I could finally breath again it was such a frightening experience but I think it's acid reflux as I do have a horrible taste of acid in my throat afterwards.. just wondering could I really choke or is this just a sensation I'm so terrified I won't get my breath back

You're pretty unlikely to actually inhale the acid as long as your laryngeal reflexes are intact (ie. you're not under the influence of drink/drugs) - in a way it's good that it's waking you up! If it's happening regularly though it sounds like you may need medication to prevent it. In the meantime it might be useful to either prop the head end of the bed up or sleep with more pillows as refluxed acid is less likely to get to your throat if it has to go uphill.

Yes, especially if you drink or take sleeping pills. Please see your gp, its dangerous and a precursor to esophageal cancer but medication is available to prevent it. I don't eat after 4pm and I sleep alone so put a rolled towel under my chin to keep head tilted back but these are extra precautions, the medicine is very effective.

It's extremely common after Gastric bypass or sleeve. And one of the worst problems after Gastric band.
It's often the reason a Band has to be removed as long term it can cause chronic lung problems.

You need medical advice.

Thanks for all your replies.. nope Haven't had a gastric bypass or under the influence of alcohol or drugs but I do drink alot of diet coke even sometimes before bed time I wonder would this contribute to it

Hi cazz, different things affect different people, depending on your own sensitivities. I havent had any bands or bypasses but I do have a hiatus hernia. I dont eat wheat as I find it very acid making and personally wouldnt have cola drink of either type after about 4pm, I find sweet fizzy drinks affect stomach acid. The medication for this is very effective but if you think you can get by without it then try an alkaline diet, google it. Good luck. Keep your chun up

Waking up during the night because of reflux and vomiting acid in my sleep was why I was put on Omeprazole. It was really scary to wake up gasping for breath

We've also discovered that my issue with asthma (which persisted no matter what we did with steroids and inhalers) is actually linked to the reflux - acid was making me cough and vomit and increasing my stomach meds got the asthma back under control.

FWIW I was told to avoid fizzy drinks, spicy foods tea and coffee. I didn't find diet changes made any difference, only the Omeprazole did anything, but it's definitely the first thing to try (and go see your GP!)

Thank u guys for the replies..it really is a terrifying experience ..