When I am sleeping, whether its lying down in bed or when I sleep sitting up on the couch, I am awoken by choking and gasping for air. I am left with a taste of bile in my mouth and I am clearing my throat for at least 10 minutes afterwards. I am obese, 5'4" and roughly 240 pounds I am a smoker and a regular drinker as well. Because it occurs when I am sitting up as well, it concerns me that it may be something more than merely GERD