Re: well that was really weird. now I'm going to have a panic attack, of course
Not to trivialize your fears, but I'm kind of relieved to hear that other people experience this as well! Every so often I will wake up out of nowhere gagging and having a similar feeling as you described, with the endless swallowing. The only thing that helps it is to chug a bunch of water, then I'm fine. Pretty sure mine is from acid reflux, but it's definitely not the flu or anything. Just one of those things that happens. Keep some water on a bedside table, it helps.
"I'm not saying that I know what I want. . .
But I know what I don't, don't want to rot in my room. And never know what could have been, believe what everyone else tells me is true."