Spasmodic Dysphonia Bulletin Board

Use of false vocal cords = bad
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Posted by: toad ® 04/01/2004, 20:27:31

Ok, I thought (foolishly perhaps) that somehow my body had compensated and allowed myself to speak clearly. However, when I got my last shot (I have AD SD), my Dr. said "you're using your false vocal cords to speak, that's bad". I was stunned. I was wondering how I had gone 5 months without needing a shot. He said that the false vocal cords are above the true cords, and that if I continue to use the false cords, then they will hypertrophy (meaning gain muscle mass) and cause an even bigger problem down the road. One that will be difficult to treat because it would be difficult to inject the false vocal cords with botox. He says he often sees patients doing this. Has anyone else heard this or read about this? I'm very depressed now because I thought I had managed to compensate and "figure out" how to speak over my SD.

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Re: Use of false vocal cords = bad Re: Use of false vocal cords = bad -- toad Top of thread Archive Posted by: Renee ® 04/02/2004, 17:11:55 After years of botox "not working" for a girl in my speech support group HER doctor finally figured out that her false vocal cords, as well as her vocal cords,were spasmsing. Maybe she was trying to do what you were trying to do--trying to "compensate" and speak over her SD. In any case--she has to drive an hour and a half to get her shots now. (Our old neurologist is in town.) So--just because of the inconvienence, this is a pain. Listen to your doctor and try not to speak with your false vocal cords. Good Luck!!! Renee | | Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: Use of false vocal cords = bad Re: Use of false vocal cords = bad -- toad Top of thread Archive Posted by: Lynne Martinez ® 04/02/2004, 18:37:48 Hello Toad, Welcome to the SD bulletin board. Excellent question. I have the same situation you describe, so most of my comments relate to my own case. However, I've asked this question of numerous specialists (and researched the Internet) since my larynx collapsed over two years ago - due to over-use and over-compensation in order to talk. What I've been told (to explain why my false cords and arytenoids have cut off my breathing) relates to your description. In general, it's not good to talk with the false cords, since they're not designed for phonation. They are muscles adjacent to the true vocal cords (folds). The more we talk with them (rely on them), the more bulked up they get. Bulked up false cords (ventricular phonation) can compromise the breathing-function of the larynx, at a point. Like you, I thought I was doing pretty good for several years after vocal surgery. I was even able to go back to work. My voice was smoother and purer (no severe AD spasms, straining), even though low-volume and weak. I figured out how to "talk around" the continuing vocal quality/volume/breathing issues, post RLN. It was a big surprise, two years ago, to discover that those compensatory mechanisms (in order to talk over noise, etc.) had actually damaged my larynx. After numerous videostroboscopies (an education), and speech therapy, I now can hear/feel when I'm talking with my true cords (rarely) and when I'm talking with my false cords (most of the time) so, if the true cords don't engage, I don't talk. It's close to impossible to control though. It's more a matter of listening to (and feeling) what is going on in my larynx, so avoiding talking when the false cords decide to engage. Five weeks of not talking at all earlier this year improved things. I can only assume that my false cords "unbulked" during that time. As we frequently acknowledge on this BB, everyone is different so I'm not saying that the same thing would happen to you, or anyone else, as happened to me. But, it's good to be aware of what might happen, if continuing to talk with the false cords. Your post was astute. Also, as an aside, one of the speakers at the Dallas Symposium last month (SLP) mentioned that it is also not good for us SD'ers to "whisper," as whispering tends to engage the false cords. Plain and simple, the false cords aren't designed for phonation so if we use them for phonation, it could possibly result in future laryngeal problems. Thanks for bringing up the subject and I hope others, who may be dealing with something similar, will add comments. --Lynne (AD/SD, with RLN surgery; Northern California) Modified by Lynne Martinez at Fri, Apr 02, 2004, 18:48:47 | | Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: Use of false vocal cords = bad Re: Use of false vocal cords = bad -- toad Top of thread Archive Posted by: LarBec ® 04/05/2004, 16:09:53 Interesting information. How does one know when the false chords are being used? | | Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: Use of false vocal cords = bad Re: Re: Use of false vocal cords = bad -- LarBec Top of thread Archive Posted by: Lynne Martinez ® 04/06/2004, 22:24:56 Hi Larry, If you're concerned you could be using your false cords, a current videostroboscopy would be helpful. It makes sense that those of us with documented laryngeal cases should be able to have a videostroboscopy annually (like an annual eye test and physical ?), to chart the changes - especially if you can feel differences in being able to phonate. Would be good if our insurance plans would approve it too. With current videostroboscopy equipment, the SLP/technician will put you through all the vocal exercises and you can watch what is going on within your larynx while you go through the "eeeeeeeeee's," (and whatever else they want you to say). It's clearly obvious when it's the false cords operating, as opposed to the true cords. If the false cords are operating, you don't get a standard view of the white-ish bands (true cords) vibrating during that procedure, with the other laryngeal muscles in the background. If you're talking with your false cords, you see the pink muscles to each side - vibrating, during phonation, and more buffed up than they should be. If you're concerned about it, and your oto and SLP think you might be doing it, get a current videostroboscopy. My initial "ventricular phonation" (talking with false cords) symptoms were shortness of breath, sustained hoarseness, laryngeal clamping, constricted airway, etc. But, I think that it just because it was already severe when I noticed it. I'd probably been doing it for quite awhile (compensatory mechanisms). Symptoms would vary based on an individual case. The SLP I worked with was very specific (over many tests) and identified when I was, or wasn't, talking with my false cords. We both could see it on the screen and could equate the specific test result with the sound that came out at the same time. So, it's "the sound" I use now, to tell when I should talk and when I shouldn't. Sometimes it's necessary (for any of us) to talk with the false cords however. But, it's helpful to know when it's happening in your own larynx, in order to minimize it. Too bad all of this isn't simpler. Write me off the BB if you have more questions. Thanks, Lynne (AD-SD; Northern California) | | Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: Use of false vocal cords = bad Re: Re: Use of false vocal cords = bad -- Lynne Martinez Top of thread Archive Posted by: LarBec ® 04/07/2004, 08:36:32 Thanks, Lynne. I will look into this. Larry | | Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page