Seven years ago I began to experience problems with my speech, extreme nervousness and pains in my chest after talking. It began right after a stressful incident at my workplace. I was also 4 mos. pregnant with my first child at that time. The symptoms never went away after they began and my life was never the same after that. I finally went to a neurologist two years ago and was diagnosed with SD and Benign essential familial tremor (a nerve sensitivity to adrenaline and caffeine). My doctor suggested speech therapy and a beta blocker called Atenolol. I wasn't able to go to speech therapy three times a week (because I had a second baby) and was afraid to take the Atenolol because I was planning to get pregnant again in the future (which I did one year ago) and didn't know what effect the drugs would have on the baby.
My SD is most severe when I'm nervous, tired or stressed. I experience pain in my chest after speaking, shortness of breath and embarrassment in having to repeat myself. Sometimes I don't even want to speak because the symptoms are so uncomfortable.
Has anyone taken Atenolol or any other beta blockers for this condition? I don't know if I want to commit to a lifetime of drugs that may or may not treat the symptoms. Any information on this or other treatments would be helpful.
It helps to know that there are support groups for this very strange condition and that I am not alone. Lynn
--modified by Lynn at Mon, Aug 21, 2000, 13:05:04
Re: Has anyone tried beta blockers for SD?
Lynn - I have had SD and voice tremors for most of my life. For the past 31 years I have taken the beta blocker, Propranolol (the generic for Inderal), both for high blood pressure and irregular heartbeat. I have to say that it has never had any affect on either my SD or my tremors (I take 160 mg./day). However, I believe I have heard from a very few who say it has helped their various tremors. Be careful with beta blockers as once you are given them you need check-ups and can't just stop taking them...you have to be weaned off them slowly.Doris
Re: Has anyone tried beta blockers for SD?
Hi everyone. Thank you so much for your responses. I am convinced that taking beta blockers will not help my SD. Finding this BB has been a blessing for me. The support I've felt is overwhelming. Thanks again. Lynn
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