One type of reactive airway obstruction is paroxysmal laryngospasm, which is a rare laryngeal disease in adults. In this condition, the throat is completely closed due to some form of hypersensitivity or a protective laryngeal reflex causing a transient, complete inability to breathe. Paroxysmal laryngospasm onset in patients is often characterized by a sudden and complete inability to breathe, along with voice loss or hoarseness and stridor. Paroxysmal laryngospasm usually lasts from several seconds to several minutes and may be accompanied by obvious causes such as upper respiratory tract infection, emotional agitation or tension, and/or severe coughing.
I shared something similar on Facebook and the fact that this had just happened to me when drinking lemon water and starting to talk too quickly after my last sip. I choked on the lemon water and my vocal cords went into a spasm. I could not breathe and I had a violent coughing fit. It was a terrifying experience! A few dabs of GABA powder inside my cheek helped relax my vocal cords – which are muscles – immediately. I could breathe right away.
I’ve been researching this condition for some time now because I figured out this same solution for a family member who has had this happen about 6 times in the last few years.
The response on Facebook was surprisingly high and I now wonder how common this condition is with those who experience low GABA physical-tension-type-anxiety and if oral GABA powder is a viable solution for more individuals.
The 2020 paper on paroxysmal laryngospasm
The above description comes from this 2020 paper – Paroxysmal Laryngospasm: A Rare Condition That Respiratory Physicians Must Distinguish from Other Diseases with a Chief Complaint of Dyspnea
Let’s review a few terms from the paper:
- According to Merriam-Webster, a paroxysm is a fit or attack.
- Laryngospasm “(luh-RING-go-spaz-um) is a transient and reversible spasm of the vocal cords that temporarily makes it difficult to speak or breathe”, according to Mayo Clinic
- Mayo Clinic describes dyspnea as follows: “Shortness of breath – known medically as dyspnea – is often described as an intense tightening in the chest, air hunger, difficulty breathing, breathlessness or a feeling of suffocation.”
- According to Medscape, stridor is “an abnormal high-pitched sound produced by turbulent airflow through a partially obstructed airway.”) It’s particularly distressing to hear.
So essentially the title of this paper could be translated to something like this: An attack of temporary spasms of the vocal cord that causes difficulty breathing (0ften with a distressing sound of suffocating). I would go as far to say: A terrifying attack ….
One of the objectives of the paper is to create more awareness on “how to identify and address paroxysmal laryngospasm from the perspective of respiratory physicians.” The authors share that otolaryngologists (head and neck surgeons) and anesthesiologists (it happens frequently when undergoing anesthesia) are experts in managing paroxysmal laryngospasm.
They also state it’s rare and generally happens when an individual has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and share how antireflux therapy i.e. PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) are frequently an effective treatment. My input on this: if it is caused by GERD, address why the GERD is happening and avoid PPIs if possible since they contribute to nutritional deficiencies and osteoporosis.
Hysterical stridor in adult females who are anxious and/or depressed
There is no mention of GABA or addressing spasms in the vocal cords and other muscles in this paper. However, the authors do discuss hysterical stridor as being different from paroxysmal laryngospasm, stating “it has a strong demographic pattern of occurring in young adult females, lasting for minutes to hours, frequently requiring sedation or anxiolytics for treatment, and persisting for years.”
They also share this about hysterical stridor:
Psychological assessment usually reveals multiple sources of life stress, compulsive personality traits, depression, anxiety, maladjustment, or a history of psychosomatic comorbidity. Other psychotherapy interventions, such as antianxiety therapy, depression therapy, sedation therapy, speech therapy, and behavioral therapy, are usually effective.
(note: I’m not thrilled by the term hysterical stridor. The diagnosis of hysteria goes back to the 1880s.)
I’m proposing oral GABA powder be researched as another viable option to address the low GABA anxiety symptoms, the hysterical stridor and the paroxysmal laryngospasm.
Is paroxysmal laryngospasm/hysterical stridor really that rare?
I do wonder if these conditions are really that rare. When I shared my experience on Facebook I had a reasonably big response from people saying it’s happened to them a few times, with some saying it has been happening all their lives. Here are a few of the many examples:
- Anita shared this: “I have experienced laryngospasm. The experience is a spasmodic tightening of the airway triggered by ‘swallowing wrong’ for me. I have never experienced laryngospasm aside from that. I do have low GABA symptoms of physical tension and have had intrusive thoughts in the past, stress eating, but have never used ‘wine to relax’ as I am a ‘teetotaler.’ The episodes I’ve experienced have always resolved on their own within a minute or so. Scary feeling – that is for sure! I plan to keep GABA powder on hand now just in case of a future episode.”
- Megan shared this: “I have Laryngospasm. I have total throat closure. It feels like forever but I suppose it’s up to 50 seconds. I’ve had it since I was a child and my mum has it too. Food is probably my main trigger, crumbly or syrup type things, a bad cold or even just swallowing wrong. I had a look at the list and I have quite a lot of the low GABA symptoms. I have generalized anxiety, feeling worried/fearful, panic attacks (but they are under control with Zoloft), tense stiff muscles, feeling stressed and burnt out, intrusive and unwanted thoughts and acrophobia.”
One woman felt she had experienced paroxysmal laryngospasm and she had been told it was a panic attack. A few people mentioned a similar condition called vocal cord disorder (often exercised- induced). Many said they had received no diagnosis or help from their doctor.
Interestingly, there are not many papers on “paroxysmal laryngospasm” or “hysterical stridor” so the research and presumably awareness too, seems to be lacking.
Why did I consider GABA for paroxysmal laryngospasm?
You may wonder why I considered GABA when this happened to me. I’ve personally used GABA with success over the years for spasms in my back muscles, rectal muscle spasms/proctalgia fugax, and vagus nerve and coughing/throat spasm episodes. With the additional knowledge I’ve now gained I suspect the latter was a form of laryngospasm.
I’ve also shared how GABA helps ease globus pharyngeus (a lump-in-the-throat sensation that is associated with anxiety and something I experienced in my late 30s).
I’m prone to low GABA physical-tension-type anxiety and have always done really well with oral sublingual GABA.
And of course, when you look at the low GABA symptoms all this makes perfect sense. GABA helps with muscle spasms and provides pain relief when muscles are tight. The vocal cords are muscles and the larynx itself contains many muscles.
In case you’re new to GABA, it is a calming amino acid, used as a supplement, to ease low GABA levels. With low GABA you’ll experience physical-tension and stiff-and-tense-muscles type of anxiety, panic attacks and insomnia. You may feel the need to self-medicate to calm down, often with alcohol but sometimes with carbs and sugary foods.
What GABA did I use and how did I use it?
I dumped some GABA powder on the palm of my hand (with the help of a family member who rushed to my aid). I wet my finger with saliva, dabbed it in the GABA powder and rubbed it on the inside of my cheek. I did this a few times.
I don’t know exactly how much I used in total but estimate it to be around 200 mg GABA. I stopped rubbing it on the inside of my cheek as soon as I felt the muscles relaxing and I was able to breathe easily again. It felt like forever but it probably only lasted 30-60 seconds. I’d assume a more intense paroxysmal laryngospasm may require more GABA.
It was really encouraging how quickly GABA relaxed the muscles and stopped the laryngospasm. It’s also taken away the fear about it happening again.
Resources if you are new to using GABA as a supplement
If you are new to using the the amino acid GABA as a supplement, here is the Amino Acids Mood Questionnaire from The Antianxiety Food Solution (you can see the low GABA and other low neurotransmitter symptoms)
If you suspect low levels of GABA or low serotonin and do not yet have my book, The Antianxiety Food Solution – How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood, and End Cravings, I highly recommend getting it and reading it before jumping in and using amino acids on your own so you are knowledgeable. And be sure to share it with the team you or your loved one is working with.
The book doesn’t include product names (per the publisher’s request) so this blog, The Antianxiety Food Solution Amino Acid and Pyroluria Supplements, lists the GABA products that I use with my individual clients and those in my group programs.
If you don’t feel comfortable reading my book, doing the low GABA symptoms questionnaire and doing trials of GABA on your own, you can get guidance from me in the GABA Quickstart Program.
If you are a practitioner, join us in The Balancing Neurotransmitters: the Fundamentals program. It’s an opportunity to interact with me and other practitioners who are also using the amino acids.
Have you experienced paroxysmal laryngospasm? And do you have the low GABA physical-tension-type-anxiety symptoms? What else is a trigger for you?
If you’ve already been using GABA with success, have you noticed a reduction in the paroxysmal laryngospasm episodes?
Have you ever used GABA in the way I did to stop an episode quickly?
Have you received a diagnosis and if yes, what diagnosis?
If you’re a practitioner please share what you have seen?
Feel free to ask your questions here too.
Hi Trudy! I am a huge fan of your now for about 6 years. I have many health issues but top of my list is trying to calm the trembling feeling inside of me. It seems to be constant where it use to be occasionally. I weened off of Prozac myself which took 2 years and haven’t had any since December 15, 2021. While weening off and still today I’ve been struggling with anxiety/panic attacks in the night while I’m sleeping. I’ve learned many tools to calm myself which helps tremendously. Lately I’m waking within an hour of falling asleep gasping for air which continues through out the night. Each time it unfortunately brings on panic. I’ve tried a lot of the aminos you’ve suggested but I’m not getting results. I have read about sleep apnea which it sounds like it could be. I’m at a lost to what to do. Now I’m fearing every night. Do you have any openings or guidance on what tests etc. I should do?
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this…..
Andrea
Thanks for the kind words! Trembling feelings, anxiety/panic in the night could be low GABA and/or low serotonin. The best way to determine if someone may have low GABA/serotonin is to look at the low GABA/serotonin symptoms, rate them on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being worst, do a trial of the respective amino acid and rate the symptoms again right afterwards (in the next 2 to 30 minutes). Here are the symptoms https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/ And adjust up as needed.
I can’t comment on your use of amino acids with no success since I don’t have details of products, symptoms (before and after), dosing and how they were used. I do all this with folks in the GABA Quickstart program if you feel you need guidance https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/gabaquickstart/ Many come in having tried GABA with no success only to find success with some fine-tuning of doses, timing and even different products.
The Prozac may be confounding things, cortisol may also be high and sleep apnea does need to be tested for and addressed if needed. You mention gasping for air so I’d consider what I’ve shared in this blog too i.e paroxysmal laryngospasm
Diet is big factor too. If you are new to the amino acids (and other anxiety nutrition solutions like real whole food, quality animal protein, fermented foods, organic produce, health fats, gluten/sugar/caffeine removal, blood sugar control, gut health, pyroluria etc) my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” is a great place to start. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
It’s a comprehensive approach – amino acids AND diet. What is your diet like right now – gluten-free, sugar-free, caffeine-free, eating protein at breakfast for blood sugar control, real whole foods, grass-fed red meat, wild fish, fermented foods etc?
The internal tremors is not an uncommon thing coming off benzodiazepines or SSRIs. But it also happens in premenopausal and menopausal women with no other health issues. It you Google internal tremors and menopause, you will see websites dedicated to this. Personally I believe it’s a hormonal issue. I suffered from it myself when I was my sickest and supplementing with BHRT helped. I also struggled from sleep apnea and dysphasia and had concentric rings down my throat upon endoscopy, which were caused by spasms. This is related to histamine and mast cells. Both of these things have since resolved after using high dose B1 and the cofactors.
I have had this happen many many times over the past several years. I thought I was the only one and it was unique to me. I am really excited to try the GABA next time and see if it works. I just try to calm myself knowing it will pass and breathe slowly not forcing it.
I use GABA and Tryptophan occasionally as needed for anxiety and sleep issues. I was wondering if it would be possible to prevent this from happening by using GABA more regularly? Or is GABA just helpful in the moment when experiencing the breathing difficulty.
Karen
It’s not only you and glad you’re excited to try GABA next time. Can you describe how an episode looks for you, how often you have them and share if you do have low GABA symptoms (and which ones/how severe)? Have you ever discussed with your doctor and been given a diagnosis? Have you figured out your trigger/s? This helps us create a sort of “database.”
Yes it may be possible to prevent these from happening or at least make them less frequent with regular use of GABA. Also by addressing what is causing low GABA.
Please do keep us posted as to how you do
This is interesting, my daughter experiences Catathrenia, or night groaning in her sleep. Or should I say *we* experience it (it’s quite loud and disturbing at night!)
It seems to be a kind of tension in her larynx / diaphragm / epiglottis causing a breath hold on the outbreath, then a long drawn out groan sometimes ending in a sigh.
The only medical approach is a CPAP device.
Anyone familiar with it and any other clues? She does possibly have sensory processing disorder and has always been a very tense bodied person.
Sarah
I’m afraid I don’t know much about catathrenia. From what I can gather the vocal cords are also involved and there may be a role for GABA, especially since you mention her being a very tense bodied person. This paper finds anxiety/depression to be very common (46%) and 20% were swimmers – Catathrenia (Nocturnal Groaning): A Social Media Survey and State-of-the-Art Review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC5359339/
As with all conditions, the best way to determine if someone may have low GABA is to look at the low GABA symptoms, rate them on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being worst, do a trial of GABA and rate the symptoms again right afterwards (in the next 2 to 30 minutes). Here are the symptoms https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/ And adjust up as needed.
If you need guidance consider the GABA Quickstart program https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/gabaquickstart/ I am working with a mom right now fine-tuning GABA for her teen son who has tics and sleep issues.
I have yet to be surprised when dietary changes haven’t had an impact on any condition (gluten/dairy come to mind right away) and would also consider working with a PT, DO, DC and/or cranial sacral practitioner to consider mouth/jaw structure.
She sounds like an RCCXer with connective tissues issues and other comorbidities. Check our http://www.RCCX and illness.com
My mother has laryngospasm as a result of radiation treatments for breast cancer about 11 years ago. The oncologist said the radiation damaged her larynx. Doctors thought she had asthma and prescribed an inhaler.
She only discovered it was laryngo through a friend who has it. When my mother told the doctor what it actually was, he was familiar with it, but never considered it in her case.
He prescribed physical therapy. The therapist taught her a few ways to deal with a laryngo episode, but she uses one technique in particular. However it has it’s limitations because she either has to start when the spasm is just coming on or she has to get herself to a point once the spasm has happened where she can use the technique. Basically, she puts her tongue behind her lower teeth, opens her mouth, and draws air in as deeply as possible and then exhales with some force, and continues to do that until the spasm passes. Problem is she has to be at point where she can draw air in.
She just recently had hip replacement surgery, and somehow the topic of laryngo came up with one of the nurses. Actually, the nurse didn’t know that what she was experiencing was laryngo. She had gone to doctors and never got a diagnosis from them and ended up feeling like they all just thought it was in her head. So she stopped telling people about.
Bottom line is I don’t think it’s a rare condition anymore.
Joelle
Thanks for sharing about your mother, her friend and now a nurse – I agree, it really doesn’t seem to that rare! But it’s such a pity that folks are being brushed off! It’s good your mother did get eventually get a diagnosis (asthma is often diagnosed by mistake) and got some help but as you say the timing has to be perfect with an exercise like that. Once the vocal cords have closed it’s impossible to draw in air.
If you can get additional info from her it would be helpful to have her describe how an episode looks for her, how often she has them, how long and share if she does also have low GABA symptoms (and which ones/how severe)? This helps us create a sort of “database.”
It may well be that there is a role for GABA for her even with the radiation treatment. I’d also consider vagus nerve support.
Please do keep us posted if she decides to trial GABA.
Hi Trudy
This topic has peaked my interest on behalf of my daughter. While dealing with a bad case of mold exposure (testing levels very high) she starting experiencing some of the same symptoms. Her throat had the sensation of closing up ( but the ER doctors said they didn’t see evidence of this). Her throat gets hoarse, hard for her to talk for days and she feels like she has a lump in the throat. Along with the mold exposure, symptoms of acid reflux have emerged. She now sleeps on an elevated pillow and follows an acid reflux diet.
My daughter has anxiety and suffers from hyperhidrosis since she was a baby, she is now 23 years old. I have given her GABA in the past when she is in an anxious state but she feels it does work( I think it does).
Things that have helped her symptoms have been staying away from trigger foods( acidic foods ) and having her throat massages by a therapist. They massage the vocal cords from the inside. It is uncomfortable but it helps. The therapist has said the vocal cords are very tight, like they are clinching.
Any input on what I have said would be very appreciated
Carrie
Since these spasms can be “due to some form of hypersensitivity” addressing the mold toxicity and ongoing exposure is key. If antacids do help then we’d explore why there is a need for them and address that – like food sensitivities, low stomach acid etc.
Massaging the vocal cords from the inside is new to me. May I ask what kind of therapist does this and if it has a name? It does not sound pleasant but it’s good that it helps and the feedback that “the vocal cords are very tight, like they are clinching” is a clue GABA may be helpful.
This blog explains the lump in the throat sensation – GABA is the answer after 40 years of a lump-in-the-throat sensation, nervousness and muscle tension at work https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/gaba-is-the-answer-after-40-years-of-a-lump-in-the-throat-sensation-nervousness-and-muscle-tension-at-work/
If you need guidance consider the GABA Quickstart program https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/gabaquickstart/ One woman in the program had been using GABA on and off and wasn’t sure how much it was helping but once we started brainstorming and fine-tuning things she saw dramatic improvements in her anxiety with regular use. I have a number of moms in the group helping one or more of their children and it works well.
Sounds like chronic mast cell upregulation from mold exposure and histamine intolerance. Histamine is what triggers the cells in the stomach to produce gastric acid. Look into mold and mast cell activation syndrome. A neural retraining program like DNRS can help.
Thank you Trudy for your wealth of knowledge and your willingness to help others. Your book was helpful.
I have been using GABA Calm for maybe three years or so along with other supplements you’ve suggested. My question is can this particular GABA cause candida because it contains sorbitol and mannitol? I use quite a bit of it. Aprox.6-8 lozenges in a 24 hour period. I have developed rashes fairly recently which were not going away. I did not want to use toxic prescription creams. I was using Aloe Gel which did not work for me. Had gone for my physical recently and she told me it looked like Candida. It was under one of my breasts and an area near the crease in my femur near my crotch. Been using Tea Tree Oil which sort of helps. It doesn’t look as bad.
I’ve cut back on the GABA which I did not want to do and it seems to appear the rashes look a little better. I need the GABA and I don’t know what to do. Did not think the plain GABA Pharma was helpful when I tried that some time ago. Can you help. Thanks Debbie
Debbie
I have not had feedback that GABA Calm causes candida and cannot think of a mechanism. I’d suspect an allergic-type reaction especially when rashes look better when less is used.
I list some GABA only products and a GABA-theanine product on the supps blog https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-pyroluria-supplements/
Thanks for your kind words
Dear Trudy,
You provide a great service in covering the topic of Paroxysmal Laryngospasm and in advising that GABA can provide immediate relief. So many enlightening comments above from sufferers of this condition sharing their experiences with other anxiety symptoms, mold exposure and the effects of radiation treatment.
With the guidance of your excellent book and website, my family and I have been using GABA and 5HTP/tryptophan for many years now and I do not know where we would be without them!
I continue to ponder what has happened to our bodies and our neurotransmitters that now so many of us need to supplement with amino acids in order to function. I wonder why healthy diet and lifestyle are no longer enough. When I search for root cause, I keep returning to environmental exposures/toxins and the presence of hidden infections such as viruses. I believe research for the underlying cause of Paroxysmal Laryngospasm should include examination of the role of exposures/toxins and pathogens/infections. I believe antiviral strategies and detox protocols may be two tools in healing conditions such as Paroxysmal Laryngospasm.
One pathogen/virus that really needs to be given further attention, I believe, is EPSTEIN BARR. Current research on Long Covid has revealed « reactivated Epstein Barr » is one of the key risk factors. We used to think Epstein Barr only caused mononucleosis but now we are understanding it can reactivate or stay active. It seems very possible that a chronic active virus could be behind such symptoms as anxiety, panic attacks, vagus nerve problems, laryngospasm and many other debilitating and distressing conditions that more and more of us are suffering particularly young females.
Trudy, thank you for all your excellent work and guidance!!
Beth
Thanks for the kind words. So glad to hear you and your family have been using GABA and 5HTP/tryptophan for many years now. I’d love to hear how they have been helping?
You are spot on and this is why I hosted The Anxiety Summit 6: Toxins/Meds/Infections so we could explore all these factors. We didn’t actually go into EBV but yes all this is true. I have 2 colleagues who suspect reactivated EBV has played a role in their long COVID.
Whenever GABA is low and ongoing amino acid supplementation is needed we need to look for root causes for the low GABA (and other deficiencies).
I have also blogged about this often. Here are a few posts on insecticides, the birth control pill and Lyme disease:
– Fipronil insecticide: GABA/glutamate and anxiety, aggressive behavior, memory and Alzheimer’s disease in humans? https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/fipronil-insecticide-gaba-glutamate-and-anxiety-aggressive-behavior-memory-and-alzheimers-disease-in-humans/ (fipronil is in pet flea products and is widely used)
– The pill and other hormonal contraception: depression, anxiety and FAM https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/contraception-depression-anxiety-fam/
– GABA helps with Lyme anxiety (while addressing the underlying disease) https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/gaba-helps-with-lyme-anxiety/
Hello Trudy,
Thanks for your reply. I will check out what I missed in Summit 6 on the topic of toxins and infections!
To answer your question regarding how my family and I have been using amino acids with success:
GABA and 5HTP have helped with: PMS and Perimenopause symptoms, sleep issues such as waking too early, sensitive teeth and TMJ issues, seasonal allergies, sinus pain.
We always have GABA and 5HTP on hand. We follow your guidelines and refer back to your book as needed. With GABA & 5HTP, we have been able to handle common health challenges without the use of medications and even OTC meds. Thanks so much for introducing us to amino acids and teaching us how to use them safely and appropriately!
Hi Trudy, I’ve had this off and on for about twenty years. Maybe once or twice a year. It is usually triggered by something sweet that hits the wrong part of my throat. Maybe I swallowed differently that time or not adequately or was talking or laughing. It’s hard to pinpoint, but it’s always something sweet that triggers it. I could (but try not to) eat or drink sweet things regularly with no problem. But then, out of the blue, it hits the wrong spot.
An episode lasts a grueling minute or two. It’s scary as heck, because, you’re right, absolutely no air can get in. My hands instinctively go to my throat, and sometimes I automatically bend over. I usually try to stop everything, relax (feels impossible to do while choking on nothing but your own throat), and wait for breath to return. Sometimes air only comes back by a tiny crack at first, but that’s enough to save me from becoming brain dead. When that crack of air comes back, I wheeze or rowl in what I can. Sometimes I try to breath through my nose to avoid more “reaction” in the throat, but even then, air doesn’t get through until the throat opens again. Though I do think it helps my brain, nervous system, and throat respond better.. Recovering full breath can take several minutes after that, but my throat is quite disturbed for 2-4 hours after that.
I suspect I am low GABA from insomnia and chronic muscle pain. Let me know if you need more details for the database.
Lorie
Thanks for sharing all this for the “database.” I hear you on it being grueling and scary! Interesting about sweet being the trigger and I have to wonder if it’s a possible corn allergy.
I am curious if you have discussed with your health practitioner/s and received a diagnosis and/or prescription?
Do keep us posted if GABA helps. As with all conditions, the best way to determine if someone may have low GABA and may benefit from the use of GABA is to look at the low GABA symptoms, rate them on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being worst, do a trial of GABA and rate the symptoms again right afterwards (in the next 2 to 30 minutes). Here are the symptoms https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/
If you need guidance consider the GABA Quickstart program https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/gabaquickstart/
Thanks, Trudy. I love your work. That’s an interesting idea to consider corn allergy. It’s shown up as an allergen in the past on my tests. I haven’t spoken to a Dr. about the choking. By the time an annual appt rolls around, I’ve usually forgotten. On the amino acid tests, I have a handful of symptoms under each category. But definitely looks like low gaba, seratonin, and chatecholamines for sure.
This is a revelation to me. I have suffered for at least 30 years with spasms of the throat, where my voice changes and I can hardly speak at which point I go into a violent coughing episode where people around me think I am choking. One Dr who witnessed this said it was a bronchial spasm. It passes after awhile but leaves me feeling extremely stressed. I have given up going to doctors and having tests done. the most they can tell me is that I suffer from acid reflux and should live on anti acids. I am allergic to oak trees and live in a town which is nicknamed the Oak village, so I do have a constant post nasal drip together with the acid reflux. I have changed my diet over the years and find I cannot eat anything with sugar, generally follow a plant based diet with a bit of protein, but no junk foods.
I find that anxiety and feeling stressed to bring on the closing throat feeling. I am in a difficult relationship and have a high stress job – not a great combo for feeling relaxed.
I love and follow your blog and have taken GABA sublingually a few times. I am going to make an effort to include it in my lifestyle.
Velma
Thanks for sharing and thanks for the kind words.
I am amazed at how many folks have lived with this for long with so little help – other than antacids. If antacids do help then we’d explore why there is a need for them and address that – like food sensitivities, low stomach acid etc.
Since these spasms can be “due to some form of hypersensitivity” exploring the oak tree allergy would be worth addressing too (NAET, quercetin etc – more here https://draxe.com/health/8-natural-allergy-relief-remedies/).
You also mention anxiety/stress and since you’ve used GABA in the past, I’d consider regular use for a period. As with all conditions, the best way to determine if someone may have low GABA and may benefit from the use of GABA is to look at the low GABA symptoms, rate them on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being worst, do a trial of GABA and rate the symptoms again right afterwards (in the next 2 to 30 minutes). Here are the symptoms https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/
If you need guidance consider the GABA Quickstart program https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/gabaquickstart/ One woman in the program had been using GABA on and off and saw dramatic improvements in her anxiety with regular use.
In this blog I share how GABA “can significantly decrease plasma levels of SP and CGRP in children suffering from acute asthma” The authors propose that airway inflammation may be a factor in asthma and since GABA reduces SP and CGRP, eases neurogenic inflammation and tracheal spasms, it may offer a new approach for the prevention and treatment of asthma https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/acupuncture-gaba-reduce-back-pain/ This may be able to be extrapolated to laryngospasm triggered by allergies.
Trudy, you bring such valuable insights to us. Thank you!
I wonder if I can treat my condition this way. It doesn’t quite fit the standard description. I had a brain stem stroke and this caused endless vagus nerve problems afterwards for decades. I also have an Epstein-Barr, Cytomegalovirus, Cocksackie dx, which I mention because we are all trying to identify root causes. I wouldn’t make it without my 5HTP, GABA Calm, and your pyluria protocol, and am most grateful you wrote the book. This is info I’ve not seen elsewhere after endless searches and doc visits.
Here’s what happens in my case: The epiglottis spasms, I think, and then can’t catch my breath, coughing to clear fluids that have gone into my lungs and my sinuses. Maybe there is laryngeal involvement, too. I’ll consider that, and in the meantime keep GABA powder on hand to slip into my cheek, in the midst of the panic of these events.
Any thoughts about this ? BTW, I’ve been examined by specialists at Mayo who had no solution other than “be more careful swallowing” but as mentioned, this can happen even when no food or beverages are involved.
Your article on Paroxysmal Laryngospasm made me wonder if you could help me with my nerve condition called glossal pharyngeal neuralgia. Ever since the crown came out of my back bottom molar and I didnt have another root canal due to lack of money, I have had excruciating nerve pain even though the tooth was removed. This took place about 8 to 9 yrs ago. My 9th cranial nerve is the one affected. The pain comes and goes, a few weeks on and less time off, it seems.
When the condition was new, the neurologist gave me Carbamazapine which helped but was a serious medication with toxic side effects if took too much. After I needed to be on a blood thinner, I had to resort to taking Gabapentin for the pain. But that medication makes you very sleepy and “out of it”. I do NOT want to wind up have brain surgery which is what I was told was the only way to treat it without meds.
So I am appealing to you for help. Is there any way you can help me with this? When the pain is at its worst, it feels like a severe seizure and I just have to wait out the horrible pain. I have tried Essential oils and they seemed to work at first but not anymore. So now I just take Gabapentin as needed but it doesnt seem to help much unless I take a dosage I shouldnt and then it makes me sleep for a couple of hours.
Please help me if you know of any natural remedy for this problem!!
Diana
Gosh sorry to hear this. Carbamazepine increases GABA levels (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6429560/) so if it or gabapentin helps I suspect GABA may help.
As with all conditions, the best way to determine if someone may have low GABA and may benefit from the use of GABA is to look at the low GABA symptoms, rate them on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being worst, do a trial of GABA and rate the symptoms again right afterwards (in the next 2 to 30 minutes). Here are the symptoms https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/
If you need guidance consider the GABA Quickstart program https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/gabaquickstart/ It really helps to be able to figure out ideal doses, best product to trial etc
I’d also look for a biological dentist to help with some of the structural aspects and a naturopath to help with neuralgia. This blog has a number of pain options for another condition, trigeminal neuralgia, but may help with ideas https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/trigeminal-neuralgia-and-anxiety-gaba-tryptophan-st-johns-wort-acupuncture-dpa-gluten-herpes-and-lyme-disease/
Please do keep us posted on how you do
I too experience “choking” episodes/Laryngospasm. For me it seems my throat reflex doesn’t kick in quick enough and liquid (often just saliva) will go down the wrong way. It can even happen just as I’m falling asleep. Then my throat seems to close and stridor ensues where I can barely wheeze any air in. It definitely sets off panic in me. The length of the episode is likely only a few minutes but it feels much longer. I’d say it can happen 4 or 5x/year for me. This situation actually just happened again to me today, I was sitting on the couch and had a bit of a reflux burp and then all of a sudden I can’t get air in. Luckily I had read Trudy’s article (and am so glad I did! It was good to know I am not alone, and there were possible solutions. It is more common than I thought). When the stridor happens my adrenaline kicks in and I really can’t think straight. I did know I needed to go to the kitchen and get my GABA though. Initially I could only find the losenge so I rubbed that inside my cheek as I was searching for the capsule. Once I got the capsule open I shook some on my finger and rubbed it into my cheek, then I just dumped the rest of the 750 mg capsule right under my tongue. In a matter of seconds (literally just a couple!) the stridor released and I could get air in!!! WOW! It really works! I have never had an episode clear that quickly before. I am literally amazed and so very grateful. I will carry GABA powder with me wherever I go now.
Thank you SO much Trudy! <3
A few side notes, I have mentioned this to the doctor years ago telling her I had stridor from choking however because it was so irregular she never suggested any testing. These episodes started for me over 15 years ago.
I have symptoms of both low GABA (feeling worried/fearful, unable to relax, insomnia, overactive brain) and low Serotonin (anxiety, perfectionism, anxiety worse in the winter, disturbed sleep, self-criticism, tmj). Within 45 minutes after taking the GABA today, I feel so sleepy – like I need to sleep, then a weird sensation of heartbeat irregularity and almost like an adrenaline rush that lasted about 5 minutes. Strange!
Shawna
Thanks for sharing and it’s so wonderful to hear about your very quick response. I’d love to share your success in a future blog post on this topic.
And yes, for folks who are prone to this I recommend keeping GABA powder on hand in various places in the home and when out and about. I’ve also seen regular use raise GABA levels overall and prevent future episodes – especially when there are other low GABA symptoms (as you describe).
The sleepiness and then weird symptoms after the GABA is likely due to the very high dose of 750mg. I typically start clients on 125mg and there is a large variation in dosing (explained in this blog https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/how-much-gaba-should-i-use-for-my-anxiety-it-depends-on-your-unique-needs-and-there-is-an-extremely-large-variation-in-dosing/)
Thanks for the response and further information Trudy 🙂 Sure you may share my story, I am eternally grateful for you sharing this trick, it feels almost life-saving to me!
I currently take 100mg of GABA in a sleep remedy, but will be ordering the GABA Calm losenges and use daytime also and see if that has an overall decrease in GABA symptoms. I was just a bit nervous to use these as they aren’t pure GABA and wasn’t sure how I’d respond to taurine and the tyrosine in them, but it’s difficult to find a pure GABA product in such a low dose.
I’ve read the link and it seems there is such a wide variety of doses and will play around with that. Do you have a suggestion as to how long to try one dose before raising (or lowering) it? Would the effect be instant or should someone try for example a week at a particular dose before changing it?
Thanks!
Shawna
I shared your story as a new blog (thank you!) and hopefully answered your questions too https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/keep-gaba-powder-handy-for-choking-episodes-stridor-and-panic-and-find-the-ideal-dose-and-be-consistent-for-prevention-easing-anxiety/
Hi – I do have laryngospasm (self-diagnosed with the help of Dr. Google) and am interested in the use of the amino acid powder you put inside your cheek when you were experiencing one. I have them occasionally usually precipitated by swallowing the wrong way or something goes down the wrong way or something too sweet in my throat. It sometimes happens when I’m rushing. I have learned how to “manage it” when it happens by keeping my head down a little and staying calm and breathing through my nose. I can usually stop it before it gets bad. But I just had a bad one when I breathed in a little piece of carrot.
My question is – What specific amino acid powder did you use? To have something like that on hand would give me a little peace of mine.
Thank you for you interesting website/book information.
Judy
I used and recommend Now GABA powder (if in the USA) and Healthwise GABA powder (if in Australia). Other GABA only capsules could also be opened and use that way.
Please let us know how it goes
I found a site/post from an individual who swears magnesium is the solution. Apparently, magnesium modulates GABBA activity in the brain. I think you should look into this.
I plan to try the magnesium and possibly have the GABBA powder handy.
I personally had multiple events over the years. The worst but less than a year ago. It went on for about 10 minutes. I wasn’t stressed before it started. I had an upper respiratory infection (possibly covid) that I had just gotten over. I was making the bed, new sheets after being sick. I simply bent over to fix the fitted sheet, had a tiny cough and loads of mucus lodged in my throat. It was beyond terrifying. My arms and legs started to go numb and I began to see white. I got some air finally only to have it lodge again and I went back into almost passing out. It was torture. I don’t believe for a second this is from stress. Not a fraction. I get stressed only when I can’t breath long enough that I know this is a ‘big one’.
Audrey
Sorry to hear about your episode but mucous or something else actually lodging in the throat is something else entirely and I would not use GABA. The obstruction needs to be removed. In the example I give there is nothing lodged in the throat and it’s purely a stress reaction that causes the throat to spasm and close when triggered by something.
Glad to hear magnesium may help – it’s needed for GABA production.
Perhaps I was not clear. I have had multiple episodes and they have not all been from mucus. That was just my most terrifying experience and I believe it was triggered by and lasted longest because of an actual obstruction. I am certain that most people would have cleared their throat without event. Regardless, the multiple episodes over a period of 20 years have all been terrifying, sometimes triggered and sometimes (seemingly) not. I thought you were aware of laryngospasms so I posted about magnesium. I was surprised at your flippant response that I don’t have larygospasms after apparently not actually reading my post carefully. I suggest you don’t give advise if you don’t want to read what we post. I don’t feel like defending myself here. Larygospasms are very, very serious. Many of the popular sites on health say it is not life threatening and they will go away within a minute, but ask any anesthesiologist or dentist who is aware and has some experience in the matter and they know it can be life threatening, especially for children. Besides magnesium to possibly avoid events, there are pressure and pull movements you can do called Larson’s Maneuver. They appear to help during an episode. Yes, I know Magnesium and GABBA are connected. That is why I posted.
Hi Trudi, I love all your suggestions and solutions. GABA Calm is very effective with my occasional globus sensations – gold ball in my throat . Sometimes I take a lozenge and it soothes the rough raw dry feeling in my throat. I know it’s due to anxiety – I’m 66 years young and haven’t been able to kick caffeine all the way and that is 1 contributing factor. Every time I try to reduce the PPI’s reflux comes back with a vengeance. I have found Reflux Gourmet on Amazon to also quell this issue. .25 clonazapam also stops the globus. Would you kindly tell me if it’s safe to take gaba calm a few minutes before or after clonazapam? No m.d. will answer this question. Thank you so very much .
Karen B.
Karen
There is no documented research on using GABA with a benzodiazepine and I have clients ask their prescribing doctor and/or pharmacist. I would expect this feedback: since both affect GABA levels driving and other potentially dangerous activities are to be avoided.
Ideally the client tapers off the benzo (under the prescribing doctor’s guidance and very very slowly) and uses only GABA, especially when they get obvious results like it helping with globus sensations.
*golf ball (not gold ball)
Hello Trudy,
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to wellness and sharing your mission. I always enjoy reading your blogs!
Recently I have also had a flare in Larygospasms/spasmodic cough. I had originally thought it was related to asthma (had in childhood), but my smart physician found I had elevated antibodies to Mycoplasm & Chlamydia pneumonia. This opened a new door for me in understanding the root cause of my cough and potential treatment. I have not had another episode since starting treatment. I wanted to share this in case it’s helpful for you and your other readers.
Bethany
Thank you for sharing and great that you found your root cause and a solution. I’m curious if you had used GABA to ease some of the spasms while figuring out the root cause?
this is fascinating. you’ve made me wonder what role this condition may have in my patients who I believe have asthma. a new perspective, thanks for bringing the condition and treatment potential to light
Julia
Wonderful to hear this has given you a new perspective. Please do keep us posted on what you find and if GABA helps.