horrible episode today

[Mark N]

I fueled up the SUV and went in to get a snack and drink. I started driving away when I took a bite of the snack and it started a coughing spasm. I have had problems with swallowing the past three years. Like usual, the thoracic spasms started and it felt like I was ripping all my back muscles along with the ones in my chest and abdomen. For the first time it got much worse and my diaphragm spasmed so that I couldn't get a breathe. I was able to stop the SUV and get out so I could catch my breathe but it wasn't happening. For about five minutes it felt like I was having an asthma attack [no I don't have asthma]. I couldn't breathe for so long I didn't think I would get enough oxygen to make it, clearly I was but it was very uncomfortable.

Has anyone had an attack like this? I really don't know why my normal symptoms triggered such a greater response this time. All I know is I never what to go through it again for any lenght of time.

[GardeniaGirl]

I have never had something like that happen- but if I think about the few times I have choked on a piece of food, I know a bit about that scary feeling of not getting any air. It is extremely frightening for at least a few seconds, if not more.

I am sure what you went through is much worse -- hopefully someone here will have an idea about what happened.

Hopefully it will not happen again!!

[Mark N]

GG, thanks for wishing it won't happen again but I am thinking it will. I have developed a real choking/coughing reflex when anything hits the back of my throat but always before it was just the thoracic pains that drove me to the floor. A few minutes and I would be fine but a bit sore. It is the paralyzed diaphragm that worries me as I went through that before my thoracic fusion. To not be able to take a deep breathe for so long was panicing but it also conjured up some bad memories of prior thoracic spine problems.

Anyone else feel like they have been in the middle of a severe asthma attack? I will talk to my doctor when I go in this morning and see what he says.

[Peter B]

Mark,
That would have scared the **** out of me.

Pete

[shotspine]

Mark....
Pete took the words right out of my mouth. Did anyone come over to try and help you? Every so often I get a slow swallow with liquids and it takes a few seconds to get it going while I can't catch a breath. I have no idea what that is but surely is nothing like you are talking about.

After my Dad had a stroke and then hip surgery, he was very weak and in Rehab they made him learn to swallow with his chin lowered to his chest. It opens the passage way so he didn't aspirate. Maybe that would help you?

I too hope you don't have an encore performance. I'm glad it turned out okay.

ss

[BrokenBladder]

((((Mark)))) I'm so sorry that happened to you. I would've been scared too!! I'm sorry I can't relate to this and give you some advice but I certainly hope your doctor can. Take care and I hope this never happens to you again!!

[debhun]

Mark I am so sorry this happen to you. I know it had to scared the pudding out of you it would have me. I have were my heart goes 265 times a min and I can't breath so I really know the feeling. My arms go really heavy. It is not fun to say the lease. I hope you can fine out what is going on today.

(((((((HUGS))))))))
Deb

[Kathi49]

Mark,

That would have terrified me! I have had swallowing issues too but due to other things like GERD, etc. The worst attack was an esophageal spasm that seemed to last a long time and I couldn't get my breath the pain was so bad. And nope, I wasn't eating anything but I was drinking some hot coffee when it happened. And, well, that's when I decided I needed to see a gastro doc. Anyway, that was the one and only time I felt I couldn't breathe. It seemed like everything closed up and went into a hard, hard spasm.

I don't know too much about Asthma; just that my daughter has sports induced Asthma but I don't recall her ever having an attack like that. She would use her inhaler before she played soccer and that sort of thing.

I hope you will get this checked out and take care.

[krashleen]

Mark, do you think you might of choked on something?

I haven't had this happen either but with your history I would call your doctor and see if he thinks you should be examined.
Take care and hope this doesn't happen again..

[Gimpy]

Mark - I seem to be having these takes on an almost daily basis lately. I choke at every meal, it's a horrible experience. I am making sure all my bites are really small and chew them to a pulp. The most serious was the other day, I thought I was going to be die right there. I'm not sure what to do about them. When I feel like I can no longer eat at all, then it will be time for the big "T" surgery. However, as I've posted recently, I'm in no hurry. I hope you don't have to have another one or have yours redone.

Linda

[GJZH]

Mark,

I had choking episodes after my cervical fusion, but it was different than what you experienced...It was further up in the throat, I think. I think what you were experiencing was further down in the breathing chamber...I know how frightened you must have been though...I hate not being able to breathe...I have asthma...It is a scary feeling...I feel for you...I hope your doctor can shed some light on this for you...

I will keep you in my prayers...

Gloria

[Mark N]

Thanks everyone for all your concerns. It was a terrible episode and I was behind a building so no one was around and I was ready to collapse right before the spasms started to recede. I understand how frightening it could be but I was clear headed thinking like I was treating someone with a severe breathing problem instead of myself so I wasn't scared. It wasn't any choking episode it was muscle spasms in my diaphragm that wouldn't allow me to take a breathe much like a severe asthma episode. But I do want to say THANKS to all of you for the concern. I tend to low-ball any pressure situations for example when coaching in the State Champonship it was like a normal game to me will my coaches were tensed up.

I saw my temporary doctor today, she was very concerned about the episode and thought it was from my cervical problems [my bet is it is that and my thoracic problems working together] so I have an MRI coming up in July. The last one was three years ago and since I have had swallowing problems for a couple of years she wanted an up-dated picture. My visit with her this time was better but I have to get used to her talk over me instead of listening. She does have good compassion and has no problem with my medication, in fact she wanted to up my meds but I turned her down until I am back up to 7 - 9 pain level on a regular basis instead of a couple of times a week.

[suede]

Mark,
I hope that this was just a single episode and you won't have to go through this again.
Hopefully the MRI won't hold any new "surprises for you" .
I never fail to be amazed at what symptoms spine [problems can cause, but the ones from my T spine are the hardest to get the Dr's to listen to..
Linda

[Mark N]

Linda, I hope you are right about this episode and the MRI. I am not having any worse neurological impairments so I don't think it will be too much worse although my thoracic spine is feeling worse.

You need to find a spinal doctor experienced in thoracic spines. It isn't easy to find one but it is much better to have one with the experience.

Thanks for your concern, I know what you are going through with the thoracic issues. I know how bad it can get and how many other symptoms can crop up. I don't like pain but I can del with it as long as I am not losing bodily functions.

[alex44]

Mark = Could you have developed an allergy that caused this reaction - just a thought - Best of luck
Alex44

[Mark N]

Alex, thanks for bringing up another possibility but I know it was a physical reaction to food hitting the back of my throat. Usually it starts me coughing without any control and then the thoracic spasms start. This is just like every other coughing spell I have had except the thoracic spasms didn't stop and it triggered the inability to breath. It is the same feeling I had prior to my thoracic fusion as my diaphragm was paralyzed except I couldn't control the speed of my shallow breaths.

[jena1225]

Mark, I think everyone is under the impression you were looking for some answers when you started this thread, but that does not seem to be the case, correct? Perhaps you posted just to tell the story? I just realized this may be the case after reading all the posts! :D

[curiousforever]

sounds pretty scary - glad you're ok.

[Mark N]

Jena, no I appreciate all the suggestions but I am just trying to be clear with each one about what the exact process was. With each suggestion it has made me think of something different than I had considered before and I go through the process to see if it fits what occurred. All the efforts has made me think outside my normal thought pattern and that is exactly what I appreciate about the responses.

The responses has clarified for me that this is part of my thoracic spinal issues even though my doctor is concerned about the cervical problem. By looking at the alternatives it has made me think back and seeclearly what occurred. Sorry if it seems I am just rejecting suggestions as that isn't the case. I use each suggestion as a way to better understand the possibilities of what happened. For example, I never thought that MSContin could be a problem since I have taken it for five years without a problem. but someone suggested, here or spinal disorders, that my generic company could have been changed by my pharmacy and that could be the trouble. I never thought of that and it made me check to see if a change had occurred and I found out that I have been taking the same medication without any changes.



To All, I really count on you to expand my thinking on a problem like this. Even when I check on it and find that your suggestion doesn't fit my episode it does cause me to consider something I hadn't thought about and I thank you for that. I am sorry if I haven't got that across to you and I have a tendency to use the responses as part of my thinking process instead of focusing on thanking each of you for your responses.

[jena1225]

Mark, my apologies, really. I honestly did not mean anything by it. I actually REALLY thought you may have been just telling your story, and NOT looking for suggestions based on your replies, AND rereading your post. It seemed as if you may have been getting irritated! lol Sorry 'bout that :o

Remember too, that although your rx or pharm has not changed, you may still become allergic to it at any time, especially if it has the tendency to do so... Just a thought! :D

[Diandra]

Mark,
If you have not, please remember to put an "ICE" (in case of emergency) in your cell phone if you have a cell phone you use when driving. Here in CT they have asked all residents with cell phones to add an ICE entry in their phonebook so if they come upon an accident or unconscious person they can find their cell phone and scroll to the ICE entry to notify someone and if there is space, you can enter details like your spasms due to thoracic issues.

I also have a card in my wallet that can be seen as soon as my wallet is opened....it has my emergency contacts and my med allergies. I highly recommend people doing that as a minimum as it has already been used once for me. I have been told to wear one of the medic alert bracelets for my medical allergies but, to me it is just a daily reminder of something really negative in my life. I know stupid but, my choice.

I truly hope you never have another one.

My best,
Diandra

[Mark N]

Jena, no problem as it was a good way to remind me to be sure and thank people fortheir replies. Even if their suggestion didn't explain what caused this each on made me think out of the box and consider things I wouldn't have thought of without their help.

Diandra, I have a memory stick on my key ring with vital information on contacts, my medical conditions, and my medications. I am not sure what you mean about putting on my cell phone, can you explain to me what it is as I may need to do that.

[Diandra]

Diandra, I have a memory stick on my key ring with vital information on contacts, my medical conditions, and my medications. I am not sure what you mean about putting on my cell phone, can you explain to me what it is as I may need to do that.

Hi Mark,
You should be fine with the info on your key ring.

On your cell phone you would enter the word ICE the same way you would enter a person's name in your cell phone listing. Then for the phone number, you would enter the number of the person (or person's) that you would want called in the event of an emergency(ICE stands for In Case of Emergency). I have entered my husband's cell phone, work phone, email address and on my phone there were a few more categories where I could enter info and I entered "allergic contrast dye" so when someone opens my phone and goes to the ICE listing they will see all the contact info and the allergy info when they display the ICE listing. Now, it was just suggested to enter a phone number for ICE. I took it upon myself to figure out a way to enter the allergy info. myself. I would say if you can at least get ICE and your next of kin's phone numbers that should be plenty.

Now, the EMS folks around here are the ones who suggested it and they are aware of it....I am not sure if they are in your area. A note to this affect has made the rounds via email and lots of people have seen it and there was an article in our local paper. The way I look at, it is just one little entry in my cell phone and all info helps during an emergency. I go into anaphylactic(sp?) shock from contrast dye and anything with iodine in it....most times, if I am close to an ER, I can drive there myself but, one time, I did not make it and was just barely able to tell the 911 folks what happened before I passed out.

I hope I was clear enough...if not let me know.

Diandra

[Mark N]

Diandra, thanks for giving ideas about what to put in the cell phone. I just didn't know what kind of info should be in there, thanks.

[Jo6]

Diandra, thanks for giving ideas about what to put in the cell phone. I just didn't know what kind of info should be in there, thanks.

Mark, I do hope you are better today. ((Mark)) Julia

[Mark N]

Julia, I have been doing better since that day. Things are back to 'normal' if you can call this pain normal. I hope you are doing well and keeping your pain levels down.

[Pharmacist.steve]

Diandra, thanks for giving ideas about what to put in the cell phone. I just didn't know what kind of info should be in there, thanks.

You might want to consider putting all your emergency information on a flash drive and put it on your key ring. I have done this for me & my wife ... also have copies of Advanced Healthcare Directive & Power of Attorney on there as well...

[jena1225]

All such great ideas!

[curiousforever]

You might want to consider putting all your emergency information on a flash drive and put it on your key ring. I have done this for me & my wife ... also have copies of Advanced Healthcare Directive & Power of Attorney on there as well...

I have on the back of my doc's card what meds I take, the dosages, and how often. It's in my wallet in the clear part that is actually for my id. Mainly cause I know hubby would have no clue really what I"m taking - he doesn't keep up with that very well - not that it's really changed.

[Mark N]

Steve, I got a flash drive and put it on my key ring after our last discussion on this issue. Now I also have it on my cell phone thanks to diandra.

[debhun]

You might want to consider putting all your emergency information on a flash drive and put it on your key ring. I have done this for me & my wife ... also have copies of Advanced Healthcare Directive & Power of Attorney on there as well...


You are So smart thank you. Will get some.

[GardeniaGirl]

I am in the process of getting Advanced HealthCare Directive and POA written up - I will get a flashdrive for my key ring and put them on there.

What other types of documents/information should I put on there?

[Mark N]

GG, that is a good question and I am looking for more things to add to mine as I just have basic contact, medical, POA, and my meds on mine. I hope others come on and offer other ideas.

[Pharmacist.steve]

I put everything on my flash drive in a *.pdf format.. it would be just my luck that they didn't have a word processor on their system and couldn't read Wordperfect or MSWord.

I keep all the basic info on a word perfect document .. so that I can make changes as needed in meds or whatever and don't have to type the thing all over again.

You can put just about anything that would be important in an emergency ... copies of insurance cards... relative contact info...

Since our daughter is secondary on our POA's & AHD and she lives 2000 miles away... I have given her copies ... but ... knowing her .. she wouldn't be able to find them ...if both of us are in a accident and can't talk .. at least the healthcare professionals have the paperwork in their hands to talk to her.. if need be about our care...