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Laryngospasm

From: chris
Date: 11/01/00
Time: 19:21:50

Comments

My GERD presented with a difficulty in swallowing solids at first. Then, burning and intense pressure in the vicinity of the adams apple(larynx). At these times my mouth would be extremely dry and breathing was strained. Scary. I of course had a suspicion about GERD or LPR. My GI doubled my dose of prevacid and I've finally noticed some relief after almost three months. I still have difficulty and a certain unavoidable yet-justified apprehension with solids and it seems my capacity to swallow differing consistencies is constantly fluctuating. I was definitively diagnosed with reflux by cine-esophagram, over two months ago. My GI has yet to see me, to discuss the possibilities and further testing prior to any consideration of surgery. My real concern relates to the larnyx itself and the terrifying possibility of a spasm of the larynx. Although the symptoms have lessened in severity, I still do get a burning pain in that area from time to time. Every doctor I've seen (ENT's GP's and Allergist Gastro) has taken a "It's not a fatal condition, don't worry about it, it'll get better with the PPI's" approach but in reply to a post on this site, a certain MD spoke of GERD being responsibile for "sudden death"(I assune he was referring to sudden laryngospasm). 1. Is there any way to avoid this possible outcome? 2. Is there a self administered technique to employ if something like this occurs? 3. Are symptoms that lead to laryngospasm identifiable BEFORE it becomes an emergency? i.e. by a laryngoscope ENT or any other observable way. 4. Or do I just read into this WAY TOO MUCH. Thanks Chris

Last changed: January 11, 2008