Momentarily stopped breathing while trying to clear post-nasal drip. I am terrified

I (M38) have been recovering from a very bad cold this last week, which consisted mainly of high fever, fatigue, chills and a mild cough. It only lasted for about 4 days and was replaced by the most post-nasal drip I have ever had in my life.

Usually I can ignore post-nasal drip by drinking hot fluids and sleeping upright, but this time it has been nothing but constant throat clearing and gagging. If I try not to clear my throat my breathing will start to rattle more and more until I clear it. Funny thing is my nose is not runny at all, but I can feel it run down my throat.

So last night I had probably the scariest experience in my life. I was getting ready for bed, just sitting quietly reading a book when I had to clear my throat again. Only this time when I cleared it my chest froze up. I was unable to swallow, unable to breathe in and unable to breathe out. I basically felt like I was holding my breathe against my will. During those seconds my body completely panicked. I managed to knock over everything in my apartment as I was stumbling around in panic. I startled violently punching my chest bone which eventually "set me free". I let out a huge gasp and was able to breathe and swallow again.

Now I am terrified of it happening again. I thought post-nasal drip could not harm you, but I felt like I was about to die in those seconds. Then again I am not certain if it was simply the sensation of not being able to swallow my mucus that set my body into a panic-mode.

I am very interested to know if this is something that normally happens and how to prevent it from happening again. I am also curious if my breathing actually stopped or it it was just a VERY uncomfortable sensation.