|
|
|
|||
|
| loss of voice after botox indication of not having SD? |  | ||
| Archive | |||
|
Posted by: tomhawk ® 02/11/2009, 22:25:43 |
Hi, I had my first botox injection a week ago after being diagnosed with AD/SD. Since then I have lost my voice completely. Does it mean that I do not have SD? I am asking because I have read several times SD patients reporting immediate improvement in voice after botox. While searching archive more on this issue, I came across following note made by David Barton on Dec 07, 2000 under the topic 'starting down the path': "It's unlikely to be risky to your overall health. Probably the main effect you'd notice if you didn't have adductor SD is that you would be aphonic (little or no voice) for some time - weeks rather than months most likely. This would depend too on the dose given, and whether the doctors injected both vocal cords or one cord only. In contrast, if you do actually have SD you would notice a dramatic reduction in the effort involved to force your voice out, and your voice would become much smoother with most/all of the SD breaks being eliminated for some time. You would probably notice some breathiness, with difficulty in projecting your voice over background noise." So I am really getting confused if I have SD or not!!! |
| | | | Current page |
| Replies to this message |
| Re: loss of voice after botox indication of not having SD? | | ||
| Re: loss of voice after botox indication of not having SD? -- tomhawk | Top of thread | Archive | |
|
Posted by: David Barton ® 02/12/2009, 03:01:29 |
My experience is that after a first injection you would take up to two to three days to notice an effect from the Botox. It would not usually be immediate. I suspect you may have received a fairly high dose, or be an individual who is unusually sensitive to the Botox. Do you know what dose you received, and whether it was in one vocal cord only, or both? So, you may have 'over-responded' to the treatment - and this in itself doesn't prove whether or not you have SD. I think a better test is whether you find that the typical SD spasms are reduced or eliminated as your volume returns. Good luck David Barton (AD/SD) |
| | | | Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page |
| Re: loss of voice after botox indication of not having SD? | | ||
| Re: Re: loss of voice after botox indication of not having SD? -- David Barton | Top of thread | Archive | |
|
Posted by: tomhawk ® 02/12/2009, 08:13:40 |
The Doc had told me that he injected 2.5 units bilaterally which is average dose. I am not sure if that means 2.5 units in each cord with total of 5 units or 1.25 units in each cord? I have tendency to lose my voice completely for a week when I get caught up with cold and cough. So yes, as you said, my voice could be sensitive to botox as well and dose given is proving to be little high for me. This brings me to another question on symptoms of SD. My voice, although soft,is fine in the morning just after I wake up. As the day progresses I feel tension, tightening in my throat and voice becomes strained with frequent speech blocks just like a stutterer. The next stage is where I loose my voice completely and not able to speak even a word. I experience all these 3 stages- being good to stutter to completely off in span of 5-6 hrs in a day. I would like to know if anyone with SD goes through such cycles in a day? I am yet not convinced if I am suffering with SD or MTD or I am just a stutterer? But surely, stammerers don't loose their voice or their voice doesn't vary to such an extent? Tom |
| | | | Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page |
| Re: loss of voice after botox indication of not having SD? | | ||
| Re: loss of voice after botox indication of not having SD? -- tomhawk | Top of thread | Archive | |
|
Posted by: Laurie ® 02/12/2009, 08:33:35 |
Hi, there, If the dose of Botox is high enough or you are very sensitive to Botox, it can over-weaken the muscles. Loss of voice after Botox means the Botox worked (but too well, in a sense). The point of Botox is to selectively paralyze some of the muscles, but only to the point where the symptoms are eliminated, not to the point where you have no voice at all. Those who report immediate improvement probably mean within 24 to 48 hours after an injection their voice is completely normal and that benefit then lasts a couple months. This sort of "ideal" result can be achieved with a low enough dose in a lot of people but there's no way to predict what that dose will be beforehand. Interestingly, dosing does not seem to directly correlate with body size, SD severity, etc. So you have to experiment, track your response, and communicate well with your MD, until you hit that perfect dose. Sometimes with no voice weakening, however, the injection will only last 6-8 weeks. For now, you'll have to sit tight and wait for the Botox to wear off a bit. It could take several days or even a few weeks. Forcing your voice during this period should probably be avoided. You shouldn't stop talking though (even if it sounds like a whisper), just don't over-compensate. After it starts to wear off a bit and your volume returns, you'll be able to tell whether your symptoms are helped or not. Then next time, you'll have to lower your dose, etc. In all, Botox is completely temporarily (for better of for worse) so the voice loss you have right now will eventually subside. It's usually the people who put the most effort into honing a good dosing system (while initially tolerating some trial and error through the first few injections) who get the best results long term. Several people will throw their hands in the air and say never again. To me, that's giving up way too soon for a treatment that can result in a near-normal existence for someone with a rather debilitating voice disorder IF you learn to work with your MD, learn all you can about Botox, and titrate the dose to best suit your own case over the first year or so. Laurie |
| | | | Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page |
| Re: loss of voice after botox indication of not having SD? | | ||
| Re: Re: loss of voice after botox indication of not having SD? -- Laurie | Top of thread | Archive | |
|
Posted by: tomhawk ® 02/13/2009, 07:08:46 |
Thanks Laurie. That was an informative post! I shall just wait patiently for my voice to return and hope for the best! |
| | | | Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page |
| Re: loss of voice after botox indication of not having SD? | | ||
| Re: Re: loss of voice after botox indication of not having SD? -- tomhawk | Top of thread | Archive | |
|
Posted by: paulc ® 02/13/2009, 17:23:49 |
Hi . I was interested in what you said about the daily cycle of symptoms. I have not yet been diagnosed although I am fairly sure from researching on the internet that I have ABSD ( which I have had for many years ) . I am in the process of trying to find a consultant in my area with experience in SD so that I can be diagnosed and hopefully get some treatment . When I wake up I have a near-normal voice ( although it's very soft and I have to keep clearing my throat to speak ) . As the day progresses my voice gradually wears out and by mid-afternoon it has nearly gone completely . I have to really force the words out just to have an extremely breathy voice and some days am reduced to a whisper . I don't have a stutter . It is extremely frustrating and at work I try to arrange all meetings etc in the morning when I at least have some voice . I would be very interested to know how you get on with your treatment - my e-mail address is pauldchilds@googlemail.com . I will similarly keep you posted when I get to see a consultant . All the best Paul
|
| | | | Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page |
| reply to Paul | | ||
| Re: Re: loss of voice after botox indication of not having SD? -- paulc | Top of thread | Archive | |
|
Posted by: Shelley Ann ® 02/16/2009, 06:45:05 |
Paul, I was diagnosed with SD - Adductor type in Sept. '08. I went to the National Institutes of Health for a PET Scan study, and also while there received 2.5 units of botox on each vocal fold. They told me there that I also have muscle tension dysphonia, which they believe is worse than the SD. After the Botox on Nov. 15, I had no voice at all....it took about 8 weeks before I started having voicing again, but then I developed shortness of breath and now have paradoxical vocal cord strider. I am hoping this is a result of the Botox and that it will wear off. It seems like I went from bad to worse. I'm working with a speech therapist to help retrain my breathing to back to normal breathing to prevent the strider, but it has been 2 weeks and nothing yet. You said you are looking for a doctor in your area..where do you live. I live in the St. Louis area and know of two very good doctors who treat SD and also administer Botox. It's hard to find doctors who know much about this...but I'm finding more and more people who suffer from SD. Feel free to email if you prefer: shelleystipes@gmail.com Hang in there...there is a doctor out there for you to hopefully give you some answers.
|
| | | | Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page |
