Spasmodic Dysphonia Treatment Update--Motor Learning

[sheilamollica]

You are amazing, Adele. I would like to know more about you and why you think you have SD. I too have SD and have found that exercise, diet, massage, and physical therapy, meditation and breathing exercises are all very helpful. I was diagnosed in 2003 when my husband was struggling with stage 4 lung cancer. Did you suffer a trauma or were you under severe stress prior to SD? I have difficulty with the botox shot. It works for about 2 weeks and causes respiratory difficulties.

[nkjnjk7]

Yeah, I have this too. It's kind of stressful sometimes.

[ahensley2468]

Badolan, you are so right about the influence of stress on SD. Good luck with your therapy. You sound clear-eyed and confident, that should help. Adele

[ronski50]

I want to share my experience with SD. Acupuncture had minimal results. The chinese herbs (bupleurum calmative) gotten with acupuncture has greatly helped with calming my nerves and thus reduced my tremor. I now take the herbs on a daily basis. Botox injections also helps. I experience breathiness for a couple of weeks, then a month and a half of near normal voice slowly reverting back to tremors. Hopefully someday there will be a cure.

[ahensley2468]

@ronski50 Thank you so much for the report on your experiences with acupuncture chinese herbs, and botox. That is really helpful.

Adele

[badolan]

Yep, I have it too. Not much fun. I'm doing the speech therapy thing and adding self-hypnosis to the mix. I think you are very brave for producing this video. The stress of being in a video makes is worse. You go girl !!!

[wendee78]

I feel like crying right now! I have the same thing and thought I was the only one!

[insanelycreative]

good luck!

[prettybaby2703]

we have the same case but the doctor prescribe me to undergo Botox injection to relax the muscles..Till now, I still haven't undergone that treatment coz I'm scared...Others say that it's just psychological trauma..I could say sometimes yes..but more often I cannot control my voice from trembling..I admire your courage coz sometimes I lose hope...take care!

[ahensley2468]

Botox is very helpful, but for me it didn't last very long. I had to re-do it every 6-8 weeks. I hope you get relief with it. It feels good to feel that completely smooth voice come out with no struggle. My spasmodic dysphonia is always worse when I am stressed but stress doesn't cause it. Keep your hope. Good Luck.

Adele

[prettybaby2703]

thanks! I am also hoping that there will be a permanent cure for this disease. Our voice is very essential in expressing our own thoughts but mine was taken away 6 years ago and it really affects my everyday living..most people are making fun of it that sometimes it hurts my feelings coz they don't know how hard it is to suffer such disease..take care! God Bless!

[MrRita249]

I admire your bravery talking on line with this voice. Have you heard about Botox? It could eliminate your symptoms so you won't have to struggle so much.