New to Support Group

That's the good side of what's going on. From there, it's pretty much down hill. Being in the commercial insurance business, I spend a lot of time around some fairly noisy manufacturing plants causing me to try and speak louder and louder to be heard. That became increasingly difficult and a little over a year ago, I decided to do something about my "come and go" voice, so I went to the allergist to give me some pills to solve my problem.

He did that and it was a tad better, but still not right. I went back to him for more pills, which he gave me reluctantly. I again went back looking for an answer. He suggested that I see an ENT as my problem seemed to perplex him. I saw my Primary Care Physician who shrugged his shoulders and told me to relax and take a week or two off of work, as all was caused by stress. I finally broke down and saw an ENT who scoped me, saw no problems and patted me on the back, kicked me a little lower and said that I was curable and to see a speech therapist. I did that and started one of some 15 sessions with her. She was frustrated as my voice seemed to come and go at strange times. She said that she had treated a few other people with a condition called SD. She suggested that I get a second opinion from another ENT.

Seeing the second ENT, he picked up on it immediately and after listening to me for 15 seconds or so, said that I had a very rare condition called SD and that there was no cure, but treatment. He suggested that I continue the Speech Therapy and also that if this did not work, to see him for a Botox referral. Botox? What's that? I looked it up on the Internet and made my decision. NO BOTOX for me. I am NOT going to have that stuff injected in me no matter how bad it gets!

Well, you probably here where this whole thing is going. After Psychologists, Acupuncturists, Hypnotists and the "Voice Doctor", still no help and by this time I was basically "dumb" (Isn't that what they call people that can't talk)?

I spoke to a friend who told me that she had a relative who was a lawyer in Dallas who had a similar condition. I called him and he referred me to a speech therapist in Dallas, a Susan Shulman. She was simply excellent and gave me more assistance in one session than I got in 15 with the El Paso speech therapist. She did break the news to me though that Botox would help. She referred me to Dr. Sinard. I spoke with him over the phone (or did my best to). He suggested that I should come in for a scope (aren't they fun?) I did so on a Botox day and he confirmed SD and gave me a Botox injection. Terrible results. I was hoarse for two weeks, then went right back into tight. I called him back and he suggested that we try again. I said NO. The first one did not work, why try more? He finally persuaded me to give it a try. I did so. He injected the same dose 2.5 into each side and almost immediately, it improved. I could speak again. I was productive again and all was great. I could manage this monster. Life was great.

The Botox benefit lasted for three months and the tightness hit me again. I have now had my third injection (same dose) and after 12 days, the tightness has lessened, but I am still hoarse and can't carry on a conversation with anyone.

This is as you know, socially disabling. I have a real hard time with social interaction, everything from ordering food in a fast food restaurant to a friendly dinner with close friends. It just does not work and all I am comfortable doing is something socially alone.

There is so much information available today. I'm finding many who have experienced what I have. Most, have explained that they have taken early retirement. I really don't have that option and get more frustrated and loose more sleep because I'm worried about what is going to happen if I can't continue to be a productive wage earner. Of course, the more I worry, the less I sleep, the less I sleep, the worse my voice. My first posting to teh support group that you were so kind enough to respond to was at 3:00AM. That's pretty much typical for me now.

I think that I'm a strong person, but this is testing my patience to a greater extent than I ever thought that I would be tested. I'm not sure who's winning at this point though.

I have called and left word for Dr. Sinard after 7 days and again at 9 days. I'm hoping that I'll see some improvement. If not, I'll call again, but I'm pretty much at wits end about SD.

I am extremely well supported by my partners and my customers, but the perfectionist in me still wants better results than I have received so far.