Lost Voice

[Eliza-Jane]

I have lost my voice to PD. I saw a ENT Specialist who advised me that my vocal chords weren't closing properly. She suggested having a filler injected. Has anyone had this done?

[Hikoi]

Are you confident she understands PD? I have varying voice strength and sometimes can barely speak. Voice problems are very common in PD but I havent heard of having filler. I would want to try one of the voice programmes first.

[Eliza-Jane in reply to Hikoi]

I have tried voice exercises but my problem is that air isn't channeled properly and i don't have enough air to vocalise. She put a camera down my throat and gave me a video of it. Your vocal chords are a 'v' shape that open and close, but mine don't close entirely. The filler is to make them thicker to close them up.

[Hikoi in reply to Eliza-Jane]

Yes i have exactly the same problem, my vocal chords dont close properly. Has she told you how long it would last and any side effects? Just watched the video below and they mention injecting the vocal chords. (It is from the US where they do alot of surgery)

[Eliza-Jane in reply to Hikoi]

Thanks Hikoi, now i don't feel so lonely. I can't see the link to the video? I don't have any details,my specialist suggested voice exercises first.

[Hikoi in reply to Eliza-Jane]

I access on ipad but it should be the same whatever you use. Tap on video picture and the play symbol should appear.

[Propertytyphoon]

Hi Eliza-Jane some of the content in this might help understand such issues with PD, by An Asst Pro from TexasRgds

youtube.com/watch?v=30c-DZX...(Not working as expected?)

[Eliza-Jane in reply to Propertytyphoon]

Thanks for that Property typhoon.

[carpark]

I have heard of it and went to an ENT, hoping it would help since my voice is horrible. But after looking at my vocal chords, I was told mine close okay and that I need to use more breath when I speak.

[Eliza-Jane in reply to carpark]

Thanks carpark. Have you heard of the Breather? A gizmo to increase your lung capacity.

[Dap1948]

I would try exercise first before surgery any day. Singing is the best exercise for your voice, however bad you sound, and breathing.

[Priscilla13]

Hi Eliza I don't know this filler treatment I'm sorry. I agree with what has already been said, is it worth trying to do specific exercises for speech disorders due to Parkinson's? They are very useful.

You can also find online lessons to follow to do these exercises.

For example on Power for Parkinson or on LSVT® (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment). Furthermore, breathing exercises to be done with an incentive spirometer are also very useful because Parkinson's can also compromise the muscles of the chest and therefore make breathing more difficult.

Sorry for my poor english. 🙂

[104L]

I’d suggest you investigate the on line programs offered by the Parkinson Voice Project. My wife is PWP 74 and uses their programs weekly.

[vwolff in reply to 104L]

I agree with you the "Parkinson Voice Project" works.

[Despe]

What my husband's speech therapist introduced to him is balloon blowing, 4-5 times a day, as much blowing as he can. This strengthens lungs muscles.

[Madame-Mango]

I recently read a short (2018) article from the Parkinson’s Foundation that addressed using the filler for PWP with voice issues.

Excerpt: “This is not a new procedure being tested; it’s a treatment that has been used for many years to treat vocal cord atrophy, just not in people with PD.”

parkinson.org/blog/science-...

That said, I agree with others who encourage non-invasive approaches first.

[Eliza-Jane in reply to Madame-Mango]

Thank you to all that responded. I will persevere with the voice exercises.

[KERRINGTON]

Look for a Speech/Language Pathologist who is affiliated with a hospital's Speech and Language Dept. These therapists work with clients who present with all sorts of speech problems related to neurologic issues. They have a pretty good understanding and could give you an opinion on whether you' would be a good candidate for fillers. Google botox/botulisim for voice.

[Eliza-Jane in reply to KERRINGTON]

Thanks Kerrington.