Might these be some possible causes of SD?

He has been taking Ativan (Lorazepam) for anxiety, and for years he used insecticides, herbicides, and ant poison, without protective gear.

Has anyone heard of SD resulting from the "Benzodiazepine" Ativan?

Has anyone heard of SD due to toxicity of insecticides, or herbicides, or ant poison?

He also moved into a new house over 10 years ago, and didn't open the windows very much. I'm sure all sorts of toxic chemicals were "outgassing" from the new carpet, new insulation, new particle board, stains, varnishes, etc.

Has anyone heard of SD resulting from inhaling toxic irritants over several years?

This gentleman thinks he may have a ?rarer form of SD called "Respiratory Type Adductor Laryngeal Dystonia", as described by Dr. James A. Koufman, M.D. (A voice type ENT doc). Here's a link to an article by Dr. Koufman, called "DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF PARADOXICAL VOCAL CORD MOVEMENT" (from THE VISIBLE VOICE, Vol.3, No.3, July 1994):

http://www.bgsm.edu/voice/paradoxical.html

This article talks about Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) AND Spasmodic Dysphonia (SD), Meige's Syndrome, and the "subset of patients with 'a respiratory type of adductor laryngeal dystonia...' ".

Thanks to all!

Sincerely, Carol
vcdcjs@hotmail.com

Thanks to all!

Sincerely, Carol

Thank you for your response. Your information was interesting. I will pass along your information to that gentleman, about the lady doc's allergy connection to her SD, and also about your experiences.

Caffeine is dehydrating, and dehydrated vocal cords can get "twitchy" and therefore be a factor in "Vocal Cord Dysfunction"(VCD), (also known as "Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion", etc.) as well as, from what you say, your SD. Chocolate has caffeine in it, so could be dehydrating.

Dairy products could "trigger" a gastro-esophageal reflux episode (GER), causing irritation to the vocal cords, from the fumes of the reflux material, whether it is acidic, alkaline, or has stomach enzymes, or bile in it, etc.

Spicy foods can cause Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) in some people, so I'm not surprised to hear that it can worsen SD.

MSG is toxic in many ways.

Some docs believe VCD and SD are much more related than formerly thought. Some neurologistis believe VCD is a form of dystonia, and SD is known to be a type of laryngeal dystonia.

I know that certain neurologically active drugs can cause dystonias, so I thought it might be possible that other types of meds and chemicals could cause SD &/or VCD too!

If you or anyone knows of someone developing SD after taking the benzodiazepine Ativan, I'd like to know.

Also, if you or anyone knows of SD developing after exposure to pesticides such as insecticides (like ant poison), herbicides, or fungicides, I'd be interested in this.

And, if you or anyone has heard of SD developing after much exposure to new carpet, new insulation, new building materials in general, new particle board (glues), "stains", varnishes, etc., I would like to know of this.

Many VCD patients first got VCD after having (or while having) a viral upper respiratory infection, or while having a viral bronchitis.

Some docs believe that the virus migrated into the nervous system, affecting the brainstem. Does anyone know of any viral connections to SD?

The circumlaryngeal massage that some Speech Pathologists know about, seems to be helpful for some VCD and SD patients.

Thanks again for your ideas!

My husband and I had VCD attacks, and we were diagnosed at Nat'l Jewish Hospital (Denver, CO), where they taught us Speech Therapy and Abdominal (diaphragmatic) breathing, which stopped each VCD attack fast.

Then, we worked on eliminating our underlying causes of our VCD, and shortly after we did that, the attacks stopped happening. At that point, I made a website about VCD.

I think you will find that the correct term for SD is laryngeal dystonia. SD actually affects the larynx, which is the voicebox, comprised of rings of cartilages, all connected together by ligaments and moved by various muscles. The vocal cord(s) are two strong bands of yellow stretchy tissue in the larynx held by membranes called vocal folds.

The latest research being done at NIH (National Institute of Health) is showing that a 'sensory malfunction' is involved with those of us who have SD. As with all of the dystonias, we have an abnormality in the neurotransmission system in the brain. NIH has produced SD in an animal model now and they are studying this area. They've also had two SD patients donate their brains to them, after their death, and they're studying these as well.

From my own personal opinion diaphragmatic breathing is vitally important! The majority of people, not just those with SD, are shallow chest breathers.

There was also a support group who did their own experiment in eating hot peppers on a pizza and they all noticed an improvement in their voice, so quite possibly the spicey foods have something to do with how the sensory mechanism in the larynx area functions.

Dairy products such as milk, ice cream or heavily buttered pop corn instantly put a 'coat' on my larynx area and it takes me forever to 'clear' this substance out of my throat. Citrus juices do the same thing and aren't really that good for the throat area according to speech pathologists and those who know more about this area of the body than I do.

Lots of things cause dehydration. The bottom line on this problem is if one doesn't drink enough water - and no other liquid will do - then they don't keep their muscles in the body (all of them) oiled so to speak. I drink lots of coffee, but I also drink lots of water so I don't have a problem with dehydration.

It should also be remembered that any prescription drug taken, or any over the counter medication or any Vitamin for that matter, does and will alter the brain chemicals.

Anne

MSG in causes my throat to freeze up immediately. I can still breathe, but I have to be perfectly still and calm until the throat releases. Swallowing just prolongs the spasm. I don't know what this is caused. I have told every doctor about it but they don't comment. I finally traced it conclusively down to MSG in the food I am eating at the time.