That is quite odd. I personally don't know what to say except consult a doctor on this one.

This just happened to me and it's awful. Did you consult with a Dr

Happens to me all the time, that's why I am on this site ... looking for answers.

Has anyone found out anything about this condition. Happened to me this past (6/25/09) Saturday evening, almost exactly as described, right down to vomiting to clear the food out. Lasted about an hour or two then was gone and so far no further problem.

Just came across your questions and thought I'd let you know that I also had this problem. It all started about 6 years ago and got to the stage where I would be in a restaurant and, out of the blue, I'd be choking furiously without being about to breathe - being rushed off to the hospital midway through dinner was pretty embarrassing. It didn't happen all the time, perhaps once a fortnight - but when it did it was an unpleasant experience...to say the least. After putting up with it for about 2 years, I decided to see the doctor who promptly sent me for tests on the throat etc. It appears that my epiglottis has a tendency to malfunction. The function of the epiglottis is to prevent food and drink from falling down the airway (trachea). When it doesn't do its job, then the food and drink enter the trachea, causing choking and has to be coughed up. I've been prescribed Somac tabs which are a great help - although the problem will recur but only now and again. For those who suffer this problem I would seriously suggest you see your doctor so the proper tests can be run. There are other reasons for this problem and I guess I was lucky it was only a 'tricky epiglottis' causing the problem. Please don't delay in seeing your doctor....good luck and happy eating.

I have this same problem. It's getting worse too. Now, sometimes when I'm starting to choke I just vomit food up with no warning (which doesn't necessarily stop the choking), and it's absolutely horrible in front of others. Other times the choking and the burning pain (in waves) in my throat can go on for nearly an hour.
I have had a barium swallow test and it didn't show anything. The doctor just told me to eat slower. Which is ridiculous as I'm already one of the slowest eaters I know. I never ever eat anything now unless I have a drink with me as sometimes that helps.
I've been getting it every couple of weeks or so for nearly 5 years now.

yeah my mum has that. she used to have to run to the toilet at every meal, she said it felt asthough it was stuck. the doctors did that barium swallow test and it came back normal. one night she kept throwing up so she had to go to hospital and they put her on these pills that cleared it up. i dont know the name of them as yet but i can find out if anyone would like to know? it stops it completely.

Hi gigles3151...I think I'm safe in saying "we would all like to know"...if you could find out the name of your Mum's pills then we can check with the doctor to see if they will also help our problems with choking at mealtime. Please let us know and thanks a lot for your post...your Mum is obviously on a good thing now...regards Jan

Look up VCD -- vocal cord dysfunction. The National Jewish Hospital in Denver is the #1 treatment center and must have info online. VCD can cause these kinds of things. In the worst case, the vocal cords spasm and shut completely, blocking off all air to the lungs, and of course, all larger stuff that you could swallow.

In other animals, the vocal cords function to keep junk out of the lungs. We've co-opted them for use in speech as well. But sometimes they get twitchy, and spasm like this. It's often from acid reflux that for some reason doesn't cause heartburn.

When it happens, especially with breathing, try (1) panting quickly, then breathing in very gently, and (2) puffing out forcefully, and letting air flow back in as you relax. Something about the vocal cords makes them relax when air goes out, but close up when air goes in.