Does anyone suffer with asthma and vocal chord dysfunction?

[Sammie35]

I have been told it is rare, i just wondered if anyone on here suffers with them and if they have any methods to deal with it?

[starveycat]

Hi Sammie35 I have what is called spasmodic dysphonia which I think is the same thing. My vocal chords go into spasm so it is difficult to speak and sometimes difficult to breathe. The only help I have had is speech therapy which does help . I find if you have something with you that you can chew helps when your vocal chords play up. Hope this is some help please feel free to contact me if I can help you good luck

[Sammie35 in reply to starveycat]

Hi Starveycat,

Thank you i have just started speech therapy and when i have an acute episode i haave heliox if it hasnt set my asthma off, have you ever tried that for yours?

[Lisa_G]

I have been having problems with my voice suddenly going high and/or screeching when I talk. It's often quite embarrassing! Was going to mention it next time I'm at the doctors to see if it is related to inhalers

[sdan4]

Yes I do and I'm actually also called Sammy! Haha

I'm very new to it - for years I thought this was just my asthma. It took quite a few visits to the doctors to get them to believe me that I know what asthma feels like and this wasn't it.

I've been referred for specialist speech and language therapy but I've been waiting three months and no sign yet so it may be a long process.

In the meantime just through life experience I have found things that help are:

1) It seems to happen to me most when I am taking in large amounts of air, e.g. aerobic exercise. So non-aerobic exercise e.g. yoga etc. is not usually a problem.

2) If you want to do some aerobic exercise choose stop-and-start aerobic exercise with bursts of activity (e.g. badminton) rather than constant exercise (e.g. jogging, running)

3) Warm up slowly for any exercise especially if outdoors, to get your lungs/vocal chords warm gradually

4) Exercise in warmer or humid environments if possible - swimming is almost trouble-free for me whereas outdoor running sets me off almost instantly

5) Talk with a friend or sing under your breath whilst jogging or similar - I think keeping your vocal chords moving/warm can help prevent a reaction. I talked to a friend throughout a 10k run and managed to run for almost the entire distance which is basically a miracle for me!

Good luck - would be interested to know how you get on/your experiences

[Sammie35]

Thank you all i appreciate all the advice, i am on crutches at the moment for another health condition, but i will give swimming a go thank you.

I often get put on heliox up the hospital when i have acute attacks and it is not my asthma but they quite often will set each other off so it does not always work and i am waiting for my 3rd appointment with speech and language at the moment also.

I also find it very embarrassing as i work in sales and have been told i 'sound like Minnie mouse' when it goes, i suppose they are just making light of it for me.

I am on 4 inhalers and i have been advised to wash out my mouth and do them through a spacer to help as well.

I hope i have helped you all as well as you helping me thank you it is good to talk about it too xx

[starveycat]

Hi Sammie never heard of heliox did the doc prescribe it. I just saw a consultant who diagnosed me then discharged me, mind you at my age I guess that's all they can do good luck

[Sammie35 in reply to starveycat]

It's only a&e that can give it I think it's oxygen and helium I know sounds strange but the idea is it relaxes the muscle... As I say doesn't work all the time though with the asthma as well....

[starveycat]

Thank-you