Night time swallowing issues

[ShiftKicker]

Does anyone else have night time coughing and swallowing issues? I wake up frequently with either the urge, but inability to swallow- or, alternately, I wake myself up because I'm swallowing convulsively, end up swallowing bubbles of air and then have the desire to cough (which sets off intercostal cramping).
Does anyone have any idea what this may be? I thought it was GERD or something, but the prescription my doctor gave me has done nothing- my voice continues to get rougher and the swallowing/coughing continues unchecked. I'm in line to get an appointment with a specialist (no idea who, no idea when), but am looking for some ideas on how to deal with it in the meantime.

Many thanks

~Fiona

 

[affected]

Fiona do you lay flat to sleep?
I'm wondering if you need to start sleeping with your head raised a bit.

 

[ShiftKicker]

Tillie- I have tried it, but find a poorer quality of sleep and end up snoring something awful. All those years of forcing my husband to turn over, and now it's my turn! I may have to give in and try it again. ~thank you!

 

[billbell52]

I got a bed mechanical bed that lifts the head and feet (BeautyRest Nuflex frame). There is a setting called Zero Gravity. It took a few nights to be comfortable but it almost eliminated my night time breathing issues.

 

[zoohouse]

Tim sleeps semi reclined, and his bed turns him as programmed. He no longer can tolerate laying on his left side as he can not swallow at all on that side. He is on his back for 10 minutes then on his right side for 20minutes which is his favourite. For about a year we were using Atropine eye drops under his tongue at bed time to dry up his secretions so that he didn't need to swallow as much. In the last 2 months we stopped as he is to dry now. He has a bipap on with a humidifier all night. I hope this helps.
Paulette

 

[ShiftKicker]

My thanks for your recommendations. Sounds like sleeping reclined is the best option!