| Why am I whispering?????? |  | ||
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Posted by: Jan Sager ® 09/17/2002, 21:31:13 Author Profile Mail author |
This is a question I am asked everyday. I have no diagnosis;NO normal voice for seven years. Briefly, my story. A 45 yr old female, gradual onset over 8 months.Started with changes in pitch-like a teenage boy. I've had so many tests etc. typical of so many others on this b.b. I can only whisper & often that is an effort as my throat tightens.I have tight chest muscles & diaphram from the effort,which makes me very tired.If I try to talk normally I can only get one word out,then no sound, or sometimes it feels like I'm gagging.I lose all the air.I can talk in falsetto but it is quiet.Can cough OK. Swallowing is not 100% but tests show nothing wrong. My soft palette is weak - not moving properly when I voice.Lidocaine injections in the neck caused my voice to come back for 30mins.So tried Botox-12 injections over 3 years. I had 10 units with no side effects,lasting 8-17 weeks. effort came back suddenly rather than gradual & the last 2 Botox didn't work at all so they won't give me any more That was 2 years ago.Don't really Know where to go from here.I appreciate being able to read this B.B for support.I have read of so many others with no diagnosis for years. I have so many questions.Look forward to reading any comments. |
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Posted by: Anne Brett ® 09/18/2002, 06:34:03 Author Profile Mail author |
Hi Jan I noticed you are in New Zealand. There is a spasmodic dysphonia/Botox clinic in Auckland. That's where David Barton - one of the moderators of this bulletin board has gone for his Botox injections for years now. It sounds as though you might have the ABductor type of SD - the type where your vocal cords don't come completely together so you aren't able to produce speech that easily due to lack of air. You loose air the minute you open your mouth to speak in other words. You might read about this type of SD on the National Spasmodic Association website http://www.dysphonia.org I would encourage you to see another physician familiar with this focal dystonia. Perhaps your close to Auckland? There is also a local support group there in New Zealand and if you'll email me brett@stic.net I'll be happy to furnish you with contact information. Anne |
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