Posted by: acewood ®
03/04/2004, 14:01:01
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I had a psychiatrist diagnose me with Social Anxiety Disorder last summer. I tried out clanazopam and zoloft but neither helped out with my voice.I think voice problems and anxiety problems go hand in hand. My heart rate goes up everytime I hear the phone ring because I know it's going to be an adventure trying to talk.
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Posted by: JOHN S. BEEMAN ®
03/04/2004, 15:00:59
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Once you have acquired SD, I do believe that stress (panic) definitely increases the spasms. When I would dictate a letter, for example, my intensity level went "up" (increased mental effort) and the "squeeze" on my voice was much more pronounced. Same was true if I had to speak in public. Again, the stress of the event coupled with the mental intensity would increase the "squeeze" in my voice beyond belief. I do not believe, however, that stress is a "cause" of SD.
John (AD/SD; SLAD-R; Now - AB sort of)
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Posted by: sylvia ®
03/04/2004, 17:06:15
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Started having panic attacks 16 yrs ago. Becuase of my fear of drugs I would only take meds. for short periods of time then stop. Went through a lot of phsycotherapy which helped some. I am now taking a small dose of klonopin, yes it does have its side effects but it has helped me to move forward with my life. I had to choose the lesser evil. Sylvia
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Posted by: Susan D. ®
03/05/2004, 00:21:36
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I suffered my FIRST panic disorder just a few months PRIOR to the beginning of my voice disorder (about 14 years ago). I was convinced that the embarassment of the panic attack (had it in front of a large group of peers during a presentation I was making)caused my S.D. I've been told that this is unlikely--but I obsessed about having another attack and began having them during telephone conversations as well as in person (I was in a high-level sales position). The nervousness then spread to voice clearing/tremors/horseness and gradually worsened to full-blown Abductor S.D. Amitriptilin keeps the panic attacks under control--I absolutely do not have any more. Also, prior to my taking amitriptilin, I found that a small dose of Inderol (i.e., per my doctor), taken an hour before a presentation, quelled the nervousness and, thus, the panic attack. I no longer take the Inderol. The other drug that I take that helps me almost as much as the Botox injection is Ativan--it relaxes my vocal cord muscles and the good effects last about 4 hours.
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Posted by: Shirley A. Prather ®
03/05/2004, 12:32:18
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It certainly seems way past the logical moment when there would be medication for SD. Botox is almost as bad as the disorder considering the down time necessary to have for the voice to return. I think someone should speak with a drug company for more research.
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Posted by: will blum ®
03/06/2004, 07:48:16
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Shirley, good idea. Why don't you get the ball rolling by speaking to a drug company and ask for more research. You could get a group of fellow SD'ers together to work with you. A new rule recently passed by the office of Medicare threatens the availability and cost of Botox® and other drugs used to treat dystonia. If you live on the East Coast you can participate in annual Dystonia Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 by visiting a member of Congress and explaining your concern.
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Posted by: Shirley A. Prather ®
03/07/2004, 11:56:50
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Hi,
I am 72 years-old. My daughter just died last April. She had a brain tumor and I was her main care-giver. Right now I am still too tired to chase a cure for SD. And frankly, that is how I view it, chasing a cure. I would have been more than willing 30 years ago to be an active participant, but at that time it seemed I was the only one in the world with the malady and no one seemed very interested in even diagnosing the problem. It took me 20 years just to get a diagnosis. Now, I think it is only worthwhile for the younger SD sufferers to pick up the torch.I have had SD since 1968. I have had the surgery, which was a fiasco; complete failure. I have been taking Botox since 1990. I have raised my children (5) alone because my husband thought I was crazy because of the SD. I have held down a fairly good job. I have helped change many causes in my time. I have written a novel. I have traveled. But, I was not aware until fairly recently that there was any active agencies for research, drugs or cures for SD. And to be frank, I still think there is not enough interest in pursuing an acceptable treatment or cure. There seems to be a drug that will cure anything and yet, there is not one drug specifically for SD. I was afraid I would spend my lifetime with this disease because of the lack of interest in it and apparently I have been right.
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Posted by: Micki ®
03/07/2004, 12:17:54
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I don't suffer from panic disorder, but I do have an essential tension that I can't seem to calm. As soon as I wake up I start clenching my stomach, chest, throat, etc. I consciously relax, and in a few seconds I am clenched again. I am not depressed. I have never tried tranquilizers.
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Posted by: Bridget ®
03/07/2004, 19:32:00
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Interesting Micki. I too wake up every day with a clenched stomach, chest & throat, and have to make a conscious effort to undue all of the tension, however, my voice is always more audible when I first wake up since I've rested it all night. I've never suffered from bouts of depression either....not until I developed this voice disorder.....I wonder why we have so much tension in these areas and how did they start? It would be interesting to find out how many others have a tight stomach, chest and throat? Thanks,
Bridget
MTD/Toronto, Canada
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Posted by: Gary Lea ®
03/07/2004, 23:43:37
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As a registered psychologist and fellow SD patient I can advise that anxiety or panic do not "cause" SD; having SD, however, can cause an array of mood and anxiety disorders. That's why there is a line at the top of every page asking if you are feeling depressed. This is not an easy disorder; no one really knows what causes it nor does anyone really know what to do about it short of injecting botox, relying on surgery, or some forms of voice therapy (most of which are ineffective) - so it can be extremely challenging. Being in an occupation in which voice is critical my own struggle with it since 1992 has been significant but I have found a way to manage that is reasonably satisfactory.For those with psychological disorders cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) has been found through controlled research to be effective. Any major city and many smaller ones have well-trained and experienced psychologists able to provide such services.If you are suffering from psychological problems you can look for help through your local hospital, the Yellow Pages under "Psychologists" or through your local university's Department of Psychology. Some psychiatrists and social workers are also trained in CBT and provide another avenue of support. Gary Lea SD/adductor BC,Canada
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Posted by: Shirley A. Prather ®
03/09/2004, 16:30:36
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Hi Gary,
How are you managing your SD to your resonable satisfaction?S.
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Posted by: garfield23tc ®
03/16/2004, 13:32:23
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Bridget -I too suffer from mild panic attacks...I notice they are getting worse as I get older. I don't like taking medications like Xanax though and ride them out the best I can. Tawnya
AB/SD
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Posted by: Debbie L ®
03/26/2004, 10:24:19
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Hi Bridget,I have sd/ab and I was diagnosed with panic disorder long before I was diagnosed with sd. I think because I was so upset about my voice the panic attacks srarted. I did take meds for awhile for the panic attacks but now I have learned to control them on my own and because I now know what's wrong with me, I only have one on a rare occasion. If you think about it, it's a wonder everyone with a voice disorder doesn't have some kind of panic disorder. Hope you are doing better. Debbie L
NL, Canada
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