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What Causes Neck Spasms And Choking Sensation?

Posted on Thu, 25 Jun 2015

Question: Im having neck spasms which causes choking. I have had previous neck surgerys any suggestions to stop choking

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please tell a few details-

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.

I'd surely like to help you out but I need to know a few details before that-
1)For how many years/months are you having these spasms?What is the duration for which each spasm lasts and what is the frequency of neck spasms(like once a day or once a week)?
2)What were the surgeries which were performed on you?Please upload if any documents available?
3)Do you have frequent gastric reflux symptoms or acidity in common man's language?
4)Any history of a respiratory disease?
5)Do you take frequent alcohol?Any past/other significant medical history?

If possible,please give a better detail of your neck spasm and choking episode.

Please follow up with details to these questions,so that I can answer your query better.

Waiting for your follow-up query.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (14 minutes later)

I have had 3 neck fusions 1 in 2000,2004,2008.c3-c6. I get spasms when neck swells for some reason and causes choking. Ive had ents swallowing, which have always pointed to my neck. injections and im allergic now to steroids and ive had nerves burned and that helps but is not lasting long enough now. This does affect me when i swallow but swallow test says ok.
I choke several times a day doesn't matter whether eating or swallowing talking. Clearing my throat. I do have acid reflux but it's managed and I have my throat stretched in the past and it always is my neck causing this. I only drink on occasion not everyday. The spasm in my neck start on left side and continue until I choke then it stops til the next episode. I had this back in January where I went to hospital because I couldn't eat drink or hardly talk they couldn't figure it out it wasn't until I had rhsotomy nerves burned I got any relief.

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No definite cause.Therapeutic trial of amitriptyline.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up and providing the details.

If you would have presented to me as an outpatient,I would have told you that there appears to be no singe cause which can be surely be held responsible for your complaints.However,General management guidelines for Laryngospasm should be followed-
1)Stay cool and calm while neck spasm episode.Breath slowly instead of gasping of air.It may subside the episode.
2)Reflux should be treated.You can take Tab.Pantoprazole 40 mg once a day for a couple of weeks.Further,try to avoid spicy foods,smoking,carbonated beverages and alcohol.Sleep with your head end elevated.
3)I suggest you to be on a therapeutic trial of amitriptyline.Please start taking amitriptyline 10 mg once a day at bedtime and observe for the response.It may show improvement/prevention of such episodes.

Hope that I have answered your query.If you have some follow-up queries,I shall be glad to answer else please close the thread,rate it and write a review as your rating will be of help to me.

PLEASE TAKE MEDICINES UNDER A PHYSICIAN'S GUIDANCE ONLY.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar