Choking in sleep

[Cowboy920]

Hi I'm 34 years old. And my girlfriend tells me that when I drink, (which is about a 12 pack one day a week) I seem to be choking in my sleep? Is it true alchol can do that to you? It happens no other time except for when I'm drinking? Has this happened to anyone else? Just really trying to figure it out. It started about 6 moths ago. She says that it sounds like I'm choking and gasping for air? But when she wakes me up, I seem just fine! Is this normal? I wouldn't think so, but it has me baffled! No other health issues, except for anxiety, but that normally keeps me from sleeping.

[Minushabens]

A 12 pack is a very large amount to drink in one sitting; even assuming standard strength beer (say 4%), 500ml cans, that's 24 units in one go, close to twice the recommended weekly limit. Bigger cans or higher strength will add to that number. That will very likely leave you in a very abnormal state of sleep:

menshealth.com/health/a1953...

So, if you are not sleeping correctly, then, of course, it's likely that your breathing might deteriorate as a result. I'm assuming you suffer with asthma, or are you worried that the choking is asthma?

[Cowboy920 in reply to Minushabens]

I do not have asthma, but not sure if it is asthma. I do smoke more when I drink on Sunday as well

[Minushabens in reply to Cowboy920]

None of us here are doctors, so we can't obviously say what the issue might be, but without wanting to judge or anything, I suspect that if you try to stop smoking & reduce your drinking level on the occasions when you do drink, that your breathing might improve. Whether it's asthma or not - try to look after yourself!

[Cowboy920 in reply to Minushabens]

Thank you for responding. I appreciate it! And the link you posted was very helpful as well. Thank you again!

[hypercat54]

Hi I agree with Min. I have heard it's worse to binge drink once/twice a week than it is to have a steady influx. Also your recommended limits are much less than this. Also smoking more will make things worse too.

As this is an asthma site I am not sure we can advise apart from common sense so I would cut right down on the binge drinking and smoking and see if it makes a difference. x

[Cowboy920 in reply to hypercat54]

Thank you! Like I said it doesn't even happen when I don't drink, so most likely it's the smoking and alchol. Wasn't sure if it was asthma forming or not! Thanks for all your help, I'll grab a six pack tomorrow instead of a 12 and see how I do. And cut the cigarettes lower.

[Minushabens in reply to Cowboy920]

Well hopefully it won’t be asthma forming (or any other lung nasties) & I hope that you improve-let us know if cutting down helps.

[Cowboy920 in reply to Minushabens]

Will do thanks again

[Deedee111]

hi yes drink can do that it can lay on ur chest and give u breathing problems try a new drink dee

[Cowboy920 in reply to Deedee111]

Kay thanks it's only Bud light, I don't know what's lighter then that, that won't lay on my chest? I have never heard that before. Thanks

[Deedee111 in reply to Cowboy920]

no but lager can I think its to do with what's in it same thing happens to me and that's what my doctor told me

[Minushabens in reply to Cowboy920]

Don’t be fooled by branding labels. Bud Light is 4.2% so the unit total increases from the figure I gave you (if each drink is less than 500ml that will however reduce it) & it’s a high calorie high carbohydrate drink like all beer. I can only speak from my own experience but when I have the odd one or two (or several!) more than I should, the bloating in my stomach can really badly affect my breathing by (I think) pushing up towards my lungs. I tend to go more for ale as well...lagers are far worse for ‘gassing you up’ & I think that’s probably what Deedee meant by laying on your chest.

[Cowboy920 in reply to Minushabens]

This is great to know, and thank you so much

[meadowbird]

Hi there,

I'm wondering if you actually have silent reflux, or LPR to coin its correct name. Alcohol, and some foods, relax the lower esophageal sphincter, which then allows reflux, either in liquid form or as a mist, to reflux up into your esophagus. If you also have a weak upper esophageal sphincter, that reflux can travel right up into your throat and potentially into your lungs. I frequently wake choking for this reason. There are several things to try:

1. definitely try to cut back on your drinking, or choose a lighter option.

2. NEVER lay down within 3-4 hours of eating/drinking anything - not just alcohol.

3. Try sleeping on your left side - the esophagus connects to the stomach by way of a left draining tube, so sleeping on the left side means gravity will help keep your stomach contents actually IN your stomach!

4. try taking gaviscon double action liquid before bed, to form a raft over your stomach contents.

5. Try elevating your head, either by way of an extra pillow (not idea) or by elevating the head end of your bed.

The whole point of silent reflux is that it is silent -ie, undetectable most of the time. Hence you may not be aware of any typical reflux type symptoms - but that doesn't mean they are not happening. Key differences are that it can be in the form of a mist rather than a liquid, and typically refluxes right up into the throat, which, if it happens at night, naturally will cause choking. it is potentially very harmful if left untreated, so is definitely worth looking into. I should also add that it can masquerade as asthma, chronic cough, repeated lung infections, chronic sore throat, and can even affect your sinuses.

Best of luck!

[Cowboy920 in reply to meadowbird]

Thank you I will ask the doctor!

[Hidden]

There's a certain ingredient in certain alcohol drinks that can affect your breathing I kept asking people if they had breathlessness with it and every person looked at me like I was crazed so o looked it up and yes,its same thing in dried fruits I believe.

[Beader3]

Just s thought.... with the drinking/smoking, could it create conditions for Sleep Apenea?

[Cowboy920 in reply to Beader3]

That has been going through my mind too. I'll look into it more