Posted by: Debbie L ®
04/20/2006, 17:31:15
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Hi Bonnie,
I notice my voice gets worse under any kind of stress but seems much better when I am totally relaxed and in comfortable surroundings. I have also read that having spasmodic dysphonia can actually make you tired. I think it's because when your vocal chords are spasming your muscles are also tensing up which can cause fatigue after awhile. Imagine trying to push open a door when someone is holding it closed; it will wear you down after while. Hope this helps. I have had ab/sd since the age of 14 and only diagnosed two years ago. I am 42 so I went for many years thinking it was all in my head. Funny thing though, since I found out I really do have this disorder, my symptoms have actually calmed a little. I wonder has anyone else found the same thing? Debbie L
ab/sd
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Posted by: soflgringo ®
04/20/2006, 19:33:52
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I definitely find the voice is worse if I haven't slept, unfortunately I go through phases of that . . .
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Posted by: BonnieBelle ®
04/21/2006, 19:50:47
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I'm just surprised that it still happens even though I can speak at a low tone, whereas before nothing came out.
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Posted by: BonnieBelle ®
04/21/2006, 19:42:54
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Hi Deb. Yes it helps a lot because on stress days I notice my voice, at what I call the conversation tone, goes away momentarily. I felt calm for a season, finally knowing what was going on. Then I becamse the biggest baby crying and praying for my voice to return.I have a conversation tone now. If I go beyond a certain volume, the SD reminds me it is there. My voice has not return 100%, but I can deal with it now. My eyes and ears use to hurt from of day of trying to talk. I would feel too tired to even care about talking sometimes. I'd find myself not wanting to explain to people that I did not have a cold. Sheesh! I knew people meant well, but that was how frustrating it was for me. On a good day, I'd tell the whole story. Especially when someone would say, "I see you're fighting that flu bug, too." Sometimes, I'd respond, "I wish that's all I had, at least, I know my voice will come back." Then, of course, I'd have to answer the baffled expressions on people's faces and help them understand why I made such a remark. I don't know what percentage of my voice has returned, but I am finding out my voice is still plagued with SD, even though I can speak at low a tone. There was a time when I'd speak at conversation tone and couldn't make a sound.
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Posted by: Speed Racer ®
04/20/2006, 18:55:13
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Hi!Sounds like both of you have pretty mild cases? Any stress makes my voice go away totally. Even on botox so far. But I can be heard at least now! Stress free, my voice works. Stressed out it does not. Speed.
ABSD Dallas
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Posted by: BonnieBelle ®
04/21/2006, 19:54:41
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Now my case is mild, but before I struggled to talk.
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Posted by: Renee ®
04/20/2006, 22:41:28
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I agree that stress and fatigue make my voice worse. I especially notice it when I haven't had enough sleep. SD really is a weird disorder...Renee ADSD/ Austin, TEXAS
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Posted by: BonnieBelle ®
04/21/2006, 19:58:28
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Yes, it is a weird disorder.
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Posted by: Andrea R ®
04/22/2006, 08:48:10
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I receive botox treatments, and I noticed being very tired and fatigued recently after botox wore off, for the two months that followed before my next treatment. Every night I was absolutely fatigued - and I am very certain that SD does make us tired and fatigued. I would say that it feeds itself - fatigue makes the SD worse, and worse SD makes the fatigue. They say whispering is very bad for our vocal cords - but if the world whispered, and we whispered, then SD wouldn't be a problem. We could whisper with the best of them. I never noticed the SD/fatigue before botox, and I think that's because I've had SD for about 27 years it was just normal to be fatigued every night. But praise the Lord the Botox has worked for the most part, and the relief has been not only for my voice, but just in my overall feeling of well-being. But it does wear off after a few months. Maybe they'll find a cure one day. Take care, and God bless!
Andrea R.
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Posted by: Bonniebelle ®
04/22/2006, 11:05:39
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Hi Andrea R.That's an interesting thought that SD "feeds itself." I don't doubt it. Stress and fatigue appear to be first cousins in SD. I was surprised to find out whispering places a demand on the throat muscles. Imagine my disappointment when I heard that news. So, I stopped whispering, of course. I became more selective about what situations were worth the effort and--literally--pain of speaking. I guess the positive "by-product" of SD is that I began to listen more. I'm not saying I was not a good listener BSD (before SD), but subjects about which I am passionate were a challenge for me to just sit back and listen. I remember the main reason I wouldn't say anything was I noticed the people who were having the discussion weren't even listening to each other! So, I just let 'em have it. I know it sounds cruel, but it wasn't worth the strain of trying to talk. I hope a cure is found, too! I believe it will happen in our lifetime. That'll be a great event to witness! Bountiful blessings to you!
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Posted by: Cam Hedberg ®
04/25/2006, 22:20:17
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I have noticed this with myself as well. Also it triggers spasms in an eyelid.. Does anyone's voice quality improve when they have a cold? Mine does and I wondered if it happens with others?Cam Hedberg AD/SD 16 years
Wisconsin
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