Another, little revealed, problem fibromyalgia causes is, when we choke. The obstacle causing the choke may be small or large. The throat is often in spasm and is a common event for those with fibromyalgia. The spasms vary in encroachment and the length of time that takes to recognise, deal with and recover from, this, due to other painful and disabling Fibromyalgia eventualities.
Throat spasms also have extremely painful effects during and afterwards.
They often cause choking due to trapping of obstacles in the throat that would normally pass on through easily if chewed properly. Move in the ‘normal’ process.
It is worth keeping in considerations and spreading awareness about Fibromyalgia that, people with Fibromyalgia rarely experience…
…’Normal’ bodily functions.
When choking, the obstacle is often prevented from release by spasm trapping it in place of, to choke with. This complicates things for the person experiencing the spasm and the choke and, any onlookers, as much as, those attempting to assist the release. It is helpful when those of us with Fibromyalgia remain calm during the choke. If Diazepam or another such effective relaxant, can be directly administered it will help both during said choke and, after the obstacle causing it, has moved, swallowed or emitted. There might be cause to carefully administer Diazepam afterwards to accommodate safe eating for the duration of the spasm attack which can last minutes, hours and days. Sadly Fibromyalgia spasms are unpredictable and intermittent. Throat spasms are serious, can result in death by choking and, need to be treated immediately with that consideration in mind.
As Fibromyalgia causes many spasms, Diazepam really shouldn’t be administered as an ongoing prevention for throat spasms, it causes cessation of and a relief from them, especially when choke is happening or the throat spasm is extremely violent and ongoing. Pain relief should be administered too. The pains and spasms on choking, reach the neck, shoulders, chest and often the back and stomach, causing a lot of extra, other spasms and pain. It is not possible to focus on anything else but the choking and spasming because Fibromyalgia chemistry is in control. For any attempting to help them, it is wisest to have awareness of these matters. Best they become aware and when they are aware of all things Fibromyalgia, are in an experienced position of being able to help, best they do their utmost to remain gentle and calm.
Other non addictive relaxant medications need to be discovered.
The THC component of the Cannabis plant is something I would like to test for myself over a period of say, six months. I haven’t had the opportunity yet but would like to be given that and very soon.
As yet there is little or no prevention or relief from such traumas. So for all experiencing them it seems depressingly hopeless.
Today I had two such experiences, the first one earlier, a tiny crumb from a biscuit I had dunked in my tea to soften, it wasn’t properly softened, a crumb lodged in my already spasming, in pain, throat. I managed to dislodge it after a while. I recovered without using Diazepam, however I wish I had used Diazepam then, might have prevented the second bout of grim spasms that caused the second choke. That came only two hours afterwards, when carer❤️ was here. I was eating the toast she had so caringly made for me. I did not inform her of the first choke at that point. A tiny crumb lodged and…here we go again. It was a much more painful and intense choke than the first one of the day. I actually felt as if it would not stop until the breath in me had ceased to be. A concern I had to manage before slipping into panic.
My Lesson: do not ignore throat spasms just because I am ‘used to them’ they cause choking if eating during them. If they occur while eating, be prepared to choke-
Always have water and a hot drink close by when eating. It helps dislodge any particles remaining.
Carer❤️ observed the choking, changing of colour on my face, the jerking of my body, the choke tears that sprang, not of sorrow, from my eyes, it obviously moved her. She did not panic either. Though I sensed her recognition of urgency whilst I was directly experiencing the situation.
We talked afterwards. Her sense of ‘important to acknowledge’ the seriousness of the ‘event’ was still being gently and calmly expressed in her eyes, her choice of words and her tone. I was in still shock and had still not thought to take Diazepam 5mg. Shaking, truth be told and experiencing internal, painful spasms. Her presence was very helpful. While talking when everything calmed from choke to not choke but, throat still in spasm and in various areas of my body, spasms greatly lessening in violence but not pain. I told her that, during my childhood, when choking happened I had been schooled to ‘pull myself together’ during such attacks. She said, “You certainly did that” I said, “So the programming, while sounding and being quite harsh, worked”. It was more of a statement than a question. She confirmed her agreement with a nod. Her concern still apparent. I like this carer, she is efficient during such times and caring about the whole of me, all the time. A lovable skill experienced and observed by me.
“Pulling myself together” comes naturally to me, it’s in my personality, it is in the blood of all those in my immediate family. I do it with as little drama as I can muster at the time. As do my family.
I found that when I remain mind calm, things settle…or not…so I can deal accordingly in that instant. More often than not.
The pain and spasms during and afterwards need to be treated, treatment/medication assists in the ‘pulling of oneself together’. Those pains and spasms not only in my throat but in my neck, chest, face, my eyes, my shoulders, my stomach and my back. It is no little thing. Today I administered to myself very shortly after carer❤️ had left, only after ensuring I was recovered enough to manage alone, without her or other, more intense medical interventions. So glad of that considering the Coronavirus that has arrived on our shores. So a while after the second choke incident .. Mind functioning in the most ‘normal’ manner I can muster, I decided to administer, from 3 of the 7, duly prescribed Diazepam and from the remains, more in quantity, of the 100 duly prescribed 30mg Dihydrocodeine, 1x5mg Diazepam, 1x30mg Dihydrocodeine. I shall administer Chamomile tea at regular intervals today. I shall also take Dihydrocodein as and when necessary, not above the prescribed dose of 2×4 times daily. 1 is often helpful, though nothing seems to eradicate those nasty and often with shocking consequence, painful during and after spasms Fibromyalgia causes.
Today is mostly ‘written off’ by the vitally important need to focus mostly on not choking and, spasm prevention methodology.
I do not want a third choking incident ever again, most especially not today, one is enough of a shock. However I am acutely aware it is probably going to happen again if not today…I have not yet released tears of exasperation. Maybe they’ll come, maybe they won’t. To relax and recover and prevent is my goal today. Writing this has helped.
Ruth’s Place 