Posted by: the breathless wonder ®
08/17/2010, 20:35:18
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Your situation sounds very similar to mine 4 1/2 years ago. I worked on a hospital switchboard when my voice started changing.At first I tried voice therapy and then a succession of botox injections. None of them were very effective as I had abductor sd. I struggled at work for almost a year and took a 2 month leave of absence but my sd only became more severe. Like you, I became very depressed, anxious, frustrated and embarrassed. Finally with support, I went for counseling, I resigned and what a relief! If you have sd, especially abductor, a job with heavy voice demand is exactly what you don't need. The sooner you accept that than you will be able to move on. After I left I did manage to get 2 years of disability through the hospital. Since I'm a lot older then you I then decided to retire. However, there are other occupations out there that are not so vocally demanding and you are young and I'm sure resourceful. I beleve once you take action you will start to feel better about things. Also try to take a breath and relax. Things could be a lot worse. Take everything one day at a time and enjoy your upcoming wedding. I wish you all the best.Concetta
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Posted by: newmom2010 ®
08/27/2010, 20:16:33
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Hello, I just wanted to send a note to say I can totally relate to your story. I developed/was diagnosed with SD when I was 23 or 24, I am 29 now. I also had a telephone job that I loved actually, I was a claims adjuster, but I had to stop that work due to the condition. I actually had customers be rude to me, asking why do they let me work on the phone. I couldn't stand the constant questions of are you sick/crying...I eventually broke down and cried at work. I was also getting married around that time, and when it is a time you don't want to have any concerns, I was so afraid to say my vows in front of everyone. Now I have my first child, and I find myself getting frustrated and depressed again bcz I can not speak clearly to her, and it is difficult to read her bedtime stories...so I just wanted to write to say I know where you are coming from, I wish I could say that it gets easier...but being able to talk with people who are going through the same thing really helps. I have never tried Botox...but thinking about it now, could you share your experience with me as far as how bad it hurts??? lol I am a wimp and not too fond of needles. Take care and best wishes!
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Posted by: Spastastic Discophonia ®
08/29/2010, 17:52:14
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Hi, I developed symptoms of SD around the first of this year, was officially diagnosed with SD about a month ago, and I just had my first botox injection 2 days ago. There was no pain involved at all, but there was a little discomfort. They numbed my throat, so all I could feel was a strange pressure reaching back through my throat. I was worried about what it would feel like after the numbness wore off, but I have to say that I never felt any pain of any sort. Today, I woke up and I can barely speak over a whisper. They told me the whispery voice is to be expected. I'm just hoping it doesn't last too long.
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Posted by: MikenQuincy ®
08/30/2010, 08:39:03
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What my ENT doctor told me years ago is that the whispery, breathy voice after a botox injection is more pronounced and prolonged in men than in women given the same dosages. And that most women require larger dosages than men to achieve the same benefit. I received botox for several years and just about any dosage above 1 to 1 1/2 units always left me with this condition for usually 5 to 7 weeks....a real bummer!
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Posted by: searcher ®
08/30/2010, 11:59:27
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My next plan is to try and reduce the anxiety. When your voice is not normal. I find that people, will ask you if your are allright? I can't help it, mentally, I want to explode, Do I sound allright!) SO I say instead,, Please don't worry, it's a medical problemm but you can't help me, thanks, for your concirn. I find these few extra words, just makes the spasms worse. It's like I have a quota of words and must use them carefully. Silence has much smaller spasms and hurt less. But, thank God , I am retired, It would be imposible to go to work anymore.
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Posted by: searcher ®
08/30/2010, 10:47:01
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Botox is easy for some people and more dificult for others.Each of us are diffrent. But I do think It's the answer to the problem. Most people find a good ENT that will numb the area first, than, do the carefully placed injections in the vocal cords. The result is usually a slightly sore throat, with any where from two weeks to a month or so , of that whispery voice, Than most of us get... somewhere, from much better to perfectly fine, for about two to three months. and , we have to do it all over again. Perhaps our bodies began to adjust to dosage of botox after a while and the doctor may have to twick that, in order to be more effective. I also think, tension is a part of the problem, so am seeking a doctor to reduce the anxiety. Go for it and good luck
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Posted by: GayleV ®
09/04/2010, 08:57:38
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I can't believe how similar the stories are. I am a waitress, was diagnosed with SD about 6 months ago. Had it for over 3 years. I got my first shot about 2 months ago and it has done nothing. I am worse, not better. Didn't ask the dosage and will try it again as soon as dr's. have time and schdule it. (Live in a small town and have to schedule it when they are ready to do 10 or 12 of us from the surrounding area) My first shot was awful. Not painful but they couldn't seem to find the spot and I had to cough the whole time. I have asked that I be put under for the next one. Back to the waitress thing...I am so stressed every day I am ready to quit my job. I am tired of hearing "do you have laryngitis, are you sick....." I have to get right in people's faces for them to hear me. If there is any background noise at all, it's a lost cause. It even becoming too stressful to even go out and have a good time with friends. I sit like a bump on a log cause it doesn't pay to try and talk anyway. I am almost 59 and am seriously thinking of trying to get disability for my remaining few years before I retire. Any advice.
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Posted by: Renee ®
09/04/2010, 12:54:45
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I personally know how VERY frustrating SD can be to deal with, especially untreated...If you can't find a doctor to give you serviceable shots, I WOULD likely consider going on disability, too...Especially something like a waitress where you're dealing with the public all the time...Good Luck!!!
Renee
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Posted by: kiwi1712 ®
09/09/2010, 12:12:46
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Well unfortunately for me..I am only 25, so I am not even close to being able to retire. I am just starting out my career! I have come to the determination I cannot work at my present job anymore...I just can't handle the phone answering. What is even more embarrassing is that I received a call yesterday for a new job that I applied for and my voice was so horrible on the phone I told him I had laryngitis. I don't know if I should tell him about my SD in the interview? I am a heartbeat away from applying for disability..the problem with that is I would get half the amount of money a month that I do now working..and I only make $25,000 a year...so i would get $12,500 a year on disability..how can anyone live on that amount of money? I am waiting for a phone call back from my dr. I'm going to tell him that the last few shots have not worked and I dont know where we go from here..but something has to be done.
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Posted by: lelameier ®
09/09/2010, 18:27:30
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The truth is always the best. I find it hard to explain SD because it's so hard to say everything I want to say -- especially if I'm stressed. You might want to break the ice by sending an email prior to your interview explaining your condition and how much you'd like to be given the opportunity to prove yourself. Lots of people have disabilities, visible or not, or have loved ones that do. Give them a chance to accept you.
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