Hoarseness

[winch]

Has anyone experienced hoarseness in their voice? I have had this on and off for nearly a year. I have seen a consultant who investigated my voice box but said it showed nothing sinister. I am now wondering if it is connected to my ataxia.

[sheild]

Same here, no pain or soreness, just a strangulated garble, and always when the telephone rings. I am guessing it will develop into a more discernable symptom over time, I just keep drinking plenty (non alcohol) to keep hydrated and give my throat a workout.

[ljp103]

hiya, yea my voice is very hoarse. I did research into it and am pretty sure it is cause of ataxia. What i read is that your brain is sending mixed up signals to your voice box which helps explain why my voice is so broken up. I suck these sweets called "vocalzone" which i think have eucalyptus etc which suposidly is mean to help your voice. I recommend drinking plenty of water, im not sure is fizzy drinks are that great.. Also singing or humming to exercise your vocal chords is good - and dont worry if you cant sing, i sound like a strangled cat when i sing.

[nigelrheath]

Hi Winch

Because ataxia is killing off brain cells in the cerebellum the effects are going to be noticed and felt in anything to do with the motor cortex or what used to be well grooved and automatic processes, such as speaking.

There is a way round this using the inherent plasticity of the brain. It does however require work and practice to do something we had got used to doing automatically.

Check out some of the ideas and training techniques on ataxiafightback.wordpress.com for mouth, tongue and voice.

I have been doing a yoga based stretching every morning before breakfast, for 9 months. I am stronger and steadier than I was 3 years ago. I have also been training a new part of my brain to take over speech. To begin with this meant talking consciously and was hard work and frustrating. With perseverance and plenty of speaking practice this has become much easier. I'll post another home video soon to show you what I sound like now.

Nigel