I wrote you around a year or two ago (more or less??), based on your post to the BB. Tried to assist you at that time, as I had also had that surgery and you are in my local area. Sorry to hear this latest.

What you describe is similar to what I'm experiencing recently (false cords taking over - laying over the true cords so that not even a flexible laryngoscope or videolaryngostroboscopy can tell what's really going on). However this situation did not happen for well over 6 years post my RLN surgery. I functioned semi-well for 6 years (albeit low-volume over noise and breathing issues).

At this point, my team of doctors (also including Izdebski) consider my case *extremely unique.* One of a kind. I do not sound to anybody as if I have the extremely severe case of "classic spasmy/straining AD/SD" that I had prior to surgery. No vocal spasms since surgery but I often sound as if I'm having major respiratory failure and other forms of vocal break-down (gravelly, growelly, raspy, hoarse, falsetto, breathy, constricted airway, etc.). Serious side-effects (breathing problems since surgery, and now this new stuff) which, often, are worse than the spasms/tremors were, over several years.

Any of this sound familiar? Sometimes one wonders whether the side-effects of a (*any*) treatment are worse than the original condition. I've wondered that with having the same surgery you had, but had zero choice at the time.

Best wishes, Marianne, and hope others respond. Yours is a very unique case at this point. Be glad to help. I'll write on private e-mail.

Thank you so much for your prompt reply. Sorry for the delay in answering. I have been away on vacation. I am so sorry to read of your struggles with SD and the side effects of surgery. I wonder if the procedure that Narelle Lehane discussed in her posting would be any benefit to you. I have emailed the info to Dr. Singer and will set up an appointment to explore my options. As you can well imagine, I am very wary of any further surgical "solutions."

Thank you so much for your support and for the information you sent me. Sorry for the delay in responding to you. I have been out on vacation for two weeks. I emailed my surgeon the info you shared. Could you please elaborate more about the surgery you had and what your false vocal chords were doing? I have wondered if there was some way that they could be "quieted." Currently, they have taken over the show and, as you know, even with speech therapy, it is a constant battle to squeeze out voice production. I am reticent to do any more surgical procedures but your email was the most hopeful news I've had in a long time.