Has anybody tried deep hypnosis?I saw a consultant yesterday who says I don't have ABSD. After 2 1/2 yrs of doctors unsure whether I have or whether I haven't got this illness he says that because I use the voice muscles a bit in my coughing and can occasionally produce sound then I do not have ABSD and that it is a learned response from having a throat infection for a long time.
OK I can accept this but why didn't any of the other doctors think this? Why didn't speech therapy work or marcaine injections etc?
Anyway, enough of the complaining, he suggested an intense course of hypnotherapy with someone who specialises in the voice. Has anyone tried this approach?
Katherine (NWUK)
Re: hypnosis?
Katherine,People with SD can produce sound and cough normally using their larynx. Having SD is not the same as being mute. I haven't tried hypotherapy myself but have never heard that it resolves or does anything to improve a case of SD. SD is a neurological movement disorder (laryngeal dystonia) and, in my opinion, an approach like hypnosis, which assumes subconscious willpower will improve it, is way off the mark. Ask your consultant if he believes neurological disorders like Parkinsons or multiple sclerosis would respond to hypnotherapy. David Barton (AD/SD, Auckland, NZ)
Re: hypnosis?
Hi Katherine, why is it that we are aware of our own diagnosis long before the docs.
I have had hypnosis, it does not work and it was expensive as well.
I did see someone that actually works for our local hospital so she was genuine.
Because I managed to say half a dozen words after a session without a problem she thought she had cured me.
Had she spent the rest of the day with me she would have seen that that was not the case.
Another problem I have is trying to convince the docs that I do not have reflux. I had a barium swallow which was negative and went to have my first Botox and they turned me away saying they were still sure it was reflux causing the problem.
I have just had a 24hour Ph test which was unremarkable so hopefully after 43 months someone will believe me now, I have lost count of the number of meds I have been prescribed for a non-existant problem.
The point I am trying to make is that this is a very long winding road and the docs would rather pass you from pillar to post than admit you have SD.
I have it in writing that this is the condition I have but they appear to be adamant that it is being caused by something physical not neurological.
There are no more tests they can do now or "odd balls" to refere me to so hopefully a Botox injection will be coming my way in the not too distant future.
Krissie AD/SD 43 months England
--modified by krissie at Sat, May 11, 2002, 08:31:24
Re: hypnosis?
Hi KrissieI agree with what you say about being passed from pillar to post! I wouldn't mind but the NHS waiting lists are so frustrating. Do you live in the north or the south of England? The consultant I saw recommended someone in Edinburgh for hypnosis and he said there were only one or two in the UK. Do you have any info that would be useful? Katherine Feel free to email me if you prefer
Re: hypnosis?
Hi Katherine,
I live in the Midlands. The lady I saw actually works at our hospitals pain clinic helping people who are in severe pain by hypnosis.
Its quite a strange experience, sort of like when you have a pre-med, I wanted to move but was sort of frozen to the chair.
I really do not feel that it is appropriate for SD, only that it is relaxing and therefore your breathing is better.
I cannot breath at all when I speak everything goes into spasm.
The same applies to speech therapy, it helps the breathing but not the voice.
--modified by krissie at Sat, May 11, 2002, 18:13:17
Re: hypnosis?
Hi Katherine,I happen to believe in the power of hypnosis as a tool to HELP, not necessarily to CURE. The brain has an amazing ability to heal itself and if we all keep believing what we hear "there is no cure", then that is what the mind will believe. I am a trained hypnotherapist and I have seen some good things come from hypnosis. I have also seen some very bad hynotists who give a bad name to the whole thing. I am currently working with a hypnotherapist myself (I am the patient) trying to rewire my brain and asking it to heal itself. I DO NOT BELIEVE THERE IS NO CURE! I visualize my brain as a web and picture that web making new webbing and repairing any gaps or holes. I have med induced tardive dystonia, so the hypnosis can't hurt me as much as the medications did. How do you think Fire Walkers walk across those burning coals? And how do you think World Class Athletes achieve what they do? Through trance or self-hypnosis. Have you ever watched the face of an Olympic Athlete just before they start their match. Look at their eyes - totally focused, total concentration. The skiers & the bob-sled racers visualize their route - they know every curve and twist by memory. We hynotize ourselves everyday when we day dream or "space out". Ever get in your car and drive to your destination, then wonder how you got there because you don't remember? That is the unconscious mind functioning and the unconsciuos mind or subconscious will always take care of you. I don't mean to get preachy here - I just feel very strongly about the benefits of hypnosis and I also acknowledge the views of those who don't believe in it. Diversity is what makes the world go 'round. Dee in OR
--modified by Dee in OR at Sat, May 11, 2002, 17:53:15
Re: hypnosis?
Hello Dee
I also believe that the body has power to heal itself. I believe that health is our natural state of being or we would not be able to 'get over' anything, not a cold, not a pimple.
It is difficult to stay in that place in mind while believing that this is an incourable disorder. I believe that any tool, hypnosis, meditation,can be used to change our thinking and perhaps change our physical conditions.
The doctors are realizing more all the time how the body, mind and spirit are all one and must be treated as a whole instead of parts.
I have had symptoms of SD for 25 years now, and I beleive that a cure or a spontainous healing is possible.
Keep the faith
Ida
AD/SD in Iowa
Re: hypnosis?
Hi Ida,Thanks for your positive, supportive message. That's what it takes to return to optimum health! By the way, what is AD? Onward... Dee in OR
Med induced tardive dystonia, including blephs
Re: hypnosis?
Dee, AD is short for "adductor" in the language of us SD patients.There are two main types of spasmodic dysphonia, or laryngeal dystonia. AD = adductor SD is where the dystonia operates by closing the vocal folds too tightly at the wrong times, giving a strained, strangled sounding voice, with breaks AB = abductor SD is where the dystonia pulls the folds apart at inappropriate times, giving a breathy voice with voiceless gaps on some word combinations. David Barton (AD/SD, Auckland, NZ)
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