Inhaling acid whilst asleep - Acid Reflux

I have had this problem for about a year now.  I've always had heartburn to some extent but lately the waking up aspirating has been a real problem.  I've gained a lot of weight.  I also don't eat very well.

I now sleep in a recliner so I can be elevated.  If I lie down, I wake up aspirating and like everyone has said, it is NASTY.  I've been inhaling water with baking soda poured into it.  Seems to help some.

I take carafate and omeprazole.  I have both acid and bile reflux.  I think if I lose 50 pounds, my symptoms will reduce if not resolve.  (How did I get so fat?!) Good luck everyone.

I only suffer the same thing once or twice a year now - and it's scary not only to me but to my wife as well. No one enjoys waking up to the feeling of being choked to death followed by the horrible burning and coughing that occurs. For me, I found that it's always food that causes the problem - eating too much too close to bedtime. Sometimes it's the type of food as well - heavy greasy food and or food that contains a lot of acid such as tomatoes. I use to suffer from this more frequently but once I changed my eating habits (eat my last meal earlier in the day, eat less food at night, avoid acidic foods, no snacks too close to bedtime, and no alcohol within a few hours of bedtime) it helped a lot. Plus I started taking 75mg of Ranitidine before bedtime and that helped as well. But once in a while, when I don't follow the plan and I eat too much too late at night or I eat the wrong type of food (greasy fried food or acidic food), I suffer the consequences. As another person had suggested, sleep on a slant with your head up - but don't just use pillows under your head as that could actually make it worse. As the other person had suggested, put something under the legs at the head of your bed to create the slant - let gravity work for you. For some people, like myself, making these lifestyle changes go a long way in controlling the problem. But for some people, there's a medical reason that may require surgery. So if making these changes doesn't improve your situation enough, then you need to see a doctor.

HERE IS HOW TO STOP THE FIRE!  BURNING! CHOKING! --  My wife woke me one night with the acid down her esophagus.  She could hardly speak and in a PAINFUL panic.  Once I realized that ACID was causing the pain, we must NEUTRALIZE it first!  The best way is Baking Soda in the esophagus to kill the acid.  You will get relief in about 1 to 2 minutes.  You cannot over-do the Baking Soda; just stop when you feel that you breathe again.  You will be sore but the FIRE will be out when the acid is neutralized.  Swallowing anything will NOT help that much because it is going down the OTHER tube and not the one on FIRE.

Some ways this can be done: 

(1) boil baking soda in water and partially BREATH the steam and air mixture (this was our method) be careful here because steam can worsen the burns.  I suggest holding the steaming pan inside a refrigerator/freezer to allow cold air to blend with the steam to enter your lungs.  The Baking Soda will do the job and the cool air will soothe the inflammation the acid did to you.

(2) have a solution of Baking Soda and water prepared in a CLEAN Hair Mister squirt-bottle and BREATH the mist (this would be a faster method and ready in any emergency)

Please let me know how this works for you!

BTW, I am not a doctor, and I am not responsible as all situations are different.

Allen

I Had an attack a few nights ago, the first in a while. It was awful and I coughed up black stringy bits.  24 hours later I’m having black stools so not sure what damage was done that night.

I Had an attack a few nights ago, the first in a while. It was awful and I coughed up black stringy bits.  24 hours later I’m having black stools so not sure what damage was done that night.

Black stuff.  That's a little scary.  It could be blood.  I think I'd have that checked out.

Hey y'all.. My name is Heather.. I'm 31 years old I have suffered with acid reflux for over 10 years now and recently started choking on my acid reflux at night... I take 40mg of origin is every morning... this has been going on for a month now and it scares me because I will be asleep and start choking while I'm asleep and it gets in ny wind pipe and I'll be up coughing and choking and trying to get it all out! Recently for the past week my body will (physically) not want to go to sleep...I'm not sure what to do and the longest I have been able to get shut eye was about an hour ... I'm exhausted and not sure what to do!?

I understand about the lack of sleep.  Me too!

What I have noticed is that ice cream really triggers my acid reflux.

I was eating ice cream EVERY NIGHT lately.  I stopped using the ice cream and I'm feeling sooooo much better!

My advice is to see what you eat late every day and try omitting that for a while. Maybe you will be lucky like me!

I’m awake right now at 3 a.m. with the same problem. I just woke up gasping for breath with severe burning in my lungs. This keeps happening to me no matter what I do. I eat early, I sleep with my head elevated. Now I’ve got so much phlegm in my lungs I can’t quit coughing. This will likely go on for the next week. Is there anyone out there who is reading this who can help me?!!

It has happened to me many times. It is very scary the one time I really thought I was going to die cuz I couldn't get any air in. I have to eat a small supper and walk around after I eat to help me digest better and faster. I had to raise the head of my bed also and I take Tums before bed. Good luck

I posted a few months back after having one of many horrible acid attacks, ones that I had been having more frequently. I’m here to update what’s happened since. I went through all the tests and was told I’m a great candidate for a (Hiatus repair and) Nissan Funoloplication. A few months ago I had the op. I was in hospital for 3 days and have to admit it was very painful. Three months down the line it’s been the best thing ever. My new valve keeps closed at night, so I get NO reflux. I can burp a bit and have no acid reflux, although I have had one or two instances when eating late where I’ve had a few niggles, so now nothing to consume after 7pm. I’ve not taken an anti acid  tab or Gaviscon )apart from at the beginning of eating again when first trying slightly thicker food. I’m still on mashed up food but I’ve lost 1.5 stone. It’s funny how you adapt. If you have acid reflux and it’s burning your throat, keeping you awake, making your life hell,  you NEED this op! There’s no other way I know to correct a dodgy or sticky valve, it’s impossible once it’s damaged apart from surgery. If you need any advice about this op or have any questions just ask. 

It's so nice to know I'm not the only one.  The monkey wrench for me is this is happening to me while sleeping sitting up in a desk chair.   That, I haven't seen anyone else deal with.  My GERD is completely controlled with medication while I'm awake.  It just doesnt seem to matter what position I sleep in.  I've had aspiration pnemonia for weeks now.  I never know if I will wake with a high fever.  I'm seeing a specialist soon. hopefully get some real answers.