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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by former poster on April 24, 2011, at 20:20:30
I just learned of this disorder a few weeks ago. I have had problems losing my voice, strained voice or high voice since my teens. It happens alone or around people. It has really affected my work, social life, self esteem. It takes so much effort to speak I sometimes get slight ticks, which has aggravated and prolonged my chronic social anxiety.
Why don't Drs. listen to their patients? I have complained about this symptom to approximately 10 psychologists, psychiatrists asking what could cause these symptoms, all they did was shrugged or look at me perplexed. Not one of them ever mentioned SD.
Posted by Phillipa on April 24, 2011, at 21:39:38
In reply to Losing my voice. Spasmodic dysphonia?, posted by former poster on April 24, 2011, at 20:20:30
I've never heard of it either? Got a link? Phillipa
Posted by B2Chica on April 25, 2011, at 11:28:28
In reply to Losing my voice. Spasmodic dysphonia?, posted by former poster on April 24, 2011, at 20:20:30
i know of it.
and i cant believe they didnt refer you to an SLP?
i mean that stuff is usually pretty darn noticable.
i believe there are several different types of SD as well. my guess from what you are saying is you have the kind that the muscles spasm (or get rigid) when they are coming together. it makes many voice breaks. and is normally pretty noticable in my experience??however, im not sure about the pitch shift. you say it gets higher?
higher normally means the muscles are moving faster, which doesnt sound right if you have SD. but the losing voice and strained, broken voice sounds right.
the high voice may just be from stress. when people are stressed or suprised (or lying..lol) their pitch tends to get higher frequency. or maybe its from your breath support trying to accommodate for the breaks so more pressure during sounds...not sure.Go see a speech-language pathologist that specialized in voice disorders and see what they recommend.
Best wishes.
B2c.
Posted by mtdewcmu on April 30, 2011, at 15:27:08
In reply to Losing my voice. Spasmodic dysphonia?, posted by former poster on April 24, 2011, at 20:20:30
I think anxiety alone can cause your vocal cords to be more tense and therefore cause difficulty speaking.
Looking at the wikipedia entry for SD suggests that there isn't any very good treatment. Do you want botox injections deep in your throat?
Posted by Phillipa on April 30, 2011, at 21:28:48
In reply to Re: Losing my voice. Spasmodic dysphonia? » former poster, posted by mtdewcmu on April 30, 2011, at 15:27:08
Young vocal cords no wrinkles!!!! Sorry couldn't resist. I imagine botox would or might help was that what wiki said? Phillipa
Posted by mtdewcmu on May 1, 2011, at 1:15:17
In reply to Re: Losing my voice. Spasmodic dysphonia? » mtdewcmu, posted by Phillipa on April 30, 2011, at 21:28:48
Posted by former poster on May 1, 2011, at 19:56:37
In reply to Yes, from wiki (nm) » Phillipa, posted by mtdewcmu on May 1, 2011, at 1:15:17
I can only post from one computer. Sorry for my slow reply. I don't have it severely. I found a Youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4SADq0qOvE
Botox might be worth a try.
Posted by B2chica on May 2, 2011, at 14:55:42
In reply to Re: Losing my voice. Spasmodic dysphonia? » mtdewcmu, posted by Phillipa on April 30, 2011, at 21:28:48
they shoot botox not into your vocal folds but the adductor muscles. it allegedly last for 3 months but by 2 months you can start to notice the dystonia again and gradually gets back to where it was. im not sure how often you can get shots. check with doc.
seems like very viable option...
do some research and check it out.
best wishes
b2c.
Posted by sk85 on May 4, 2011, at 6:43:20
In reply to Re: Losing my voice. Spasmodic dysphonia?, posted by B2chica on May 2, 2011, at 14:55:42
I'm getting botox injections into my neck as a treatment for dystonia. It works pretty well, in the beginning the problem is trying to figure out the exact muscles involved. It can be tricky.
Do you take any medications for your movement disorder?-Ikaros
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