Difficulty Swallowing During Sleep

Lately been having trouble sleeping. Something weird going on in my throat, I feel like I am going to die in my sleep.

I wake up stuck with feeling congested in my throat trying to breathe and somehow my saliva not going down my throat makes me feel like am choking and can't even breathe.

I don't know what this is and why it is happening but it's been scaring me lately.

Very strange. Get some x-rays from your doctor to be sure. Does it happen when you sleep in a sitting position?

MikeGore wrote:Lately been having trouble sleeping. Something weird going on in my throat, I feel like I am going to die in my sleep.

I wake up stuck with feeling congested in my throat trying to breathe and somehow my saliva not going down my throat makes me feel like am choking and can't even breathe.

I don't know what this is and why it is happening but it's been scaring me lately.

Sounds like sleep apnea, which can stop one from breathing or have shallow breathing while you sleep. This can lead to low oxygen levels in your blood, which can trigger adrenaline surges and cortisol elevations, consequently waking you up to restore normal breathing.

On one of my archived sites: I wrote this on how to test it:

http://web.archive.org/web/20120903024417/http://healthyfixx.com/plan/1/identifying-sleep-apnea-for-free

You can try one of those breathe right nasal strips at nite. At least you will get a bit more oxygen thru your nose. If you're a mouth breather when you're sleeping probably should get that oxygen mask a lot of people use.

I've been having more episodes of dysphagia and it's freaking me out.

I now realize it's not related to sleeping as it's been happening while I am wide awake. Working, sitting, taking a shower, it can happen at any time.

I'm not sure but it does feel like psychogical factors worsens it. When I am stressed it most definitely gets worse.

I'm probably going to need to go to do the Doctor to get this checked.

One things that worries me is, could this have been caused by the botox I had done to me scalp to treat hair loss? One side effect that I had seen, is that botox can damage the nerves related to the muscles of the throat responsible for swallowing. Interestingly, the first time I had experienced this difficulty swallowing was 10 days after my botox to the scalp(for hair loss) treatment. Having said that, it's been almost 9 months since I have done the botox thing, so shouldn't it have worn off? Could the botox have damaged the nerves permanently?

I wish there was a cure for this dypshagia because it is a very very uncomfortable thing. And sometimes it honestly feels like I am going to die if I don't calm down and manage to swallow. Often times, I just have to force myself to breath through my nose while my throat feels blocked.

I wonder if muscle relaxants might help. Or maybe meditation. Anyway yes better get it checked out. It doesn't hurt to have different opinions.

Regarding the concern about botox, it's probably the most logical thing to assume and it's known that botox injections can sometimes lead to dysphagia as a side effect.

This is particularly noted when botox is used for treating conditions in the neck or face area, where it might affect muscles involved in swallowing.

Anyway, that said, at some point if it is an effect of botox effects it should eventually subside, however there have been instances where symptoms persisted longer.

Look right here under rare side-effects

https://dermcollective.com/botox-side-effects/

I had a scare last night, called the emergency number, ambulance came.

I didn't need to go to the hospital, eventually the episode subsided.

What is happening to me know is my breathing stops when I fall asleep. This eventually caused me anxiety attack since I wasn't able to sleep for 2 days.

I would like to say the following which I am ashamed of.

I did the dutatesteride injection to my scalp. Last injection was 6 months ago I think.

But I also thrown in the towel and had tried oral finasteride tablet 1mg at 3 times per week. I only did this for 2 weeks and stopped one week ago.

Now I'm thinking, did the finasteride cause my sleep apnea? Why would I get it 1 week after stopping it and not immediately?

Why are more adenoids swollen so quickly?

Could it be my testosterone levels or androgens have become extremely low. Would that cause sleep apnea and effect breathing? Would taking testosterone boosting supplements like maca help against sleep apnea.

I've never been this scared in my life before. Breathing automatically while sleeping is something many people take for granted.

What can I do to recover and put an end to sleep apnea and my breathing stopping?

Another thing is, I have the dreadful feeling, that my problem is happening from my heart. Could that cause similar symptoms. I was okay not too long ago.

Did you ever go to your doc and get examinations and blood tests etc?

I went to the doctor and he gave me Omaprazole. So it seems the acid reflux can inflame the adenoids and block the throat causing sleep apnea. But to me it also felt more was going on than that since even at times when my adenoids did not feel inflamed I would still stop breathing. I felt like my brain was not sending signal for my breathing to continue. I refused to take the Omaprazole however and started taking Apple Cider Vinegar and Betaine Hcl instead. I read that vitamin deficiencies can cause sleep apnea too. So I went to one of these clinic and did vitamin infusions and vitamin injections. I also bought vitamin tablets for Thiamine and D3. I also got a device to exercise my tongue. I also did fasting and lost some weight. I wouldn't say I was overweight but I was more than my norm.

My sleep apnea, is now resolved and I can sleep.

The doctors would have had me on antacids, which would worsen my condition I think. They also referred me to an ENT specialist and were going to send me a device for sleep apnea sleep study. Thank God I am better now and currently don't need to do it anymore.

At least it's not the botox injections