Parkinson voice and injections in U.K.

[jeeves19]

Has any Brit had injections into the vocal cords? My voice is fast becoming my most embarrassing symptom and it makes me shy away from social interaction and the telephone which can’t be a good thing. I do all the pain in the ass vocal exercises but they don’t seem to have much effect. I saw a clip from the US whereby a doctor was injecting fat into PD patients vocal cords with some success: Is this available in the U.K.? Have any members had it done? Thanks 🙏

[enjoy2013]

Hi,Did you try voice therapy? I believe it works. Mainly on the voice loudness. But you nees to be persistent

[pearlette]

I have seen a neuro rehabilitation consultant inject " botox "into vocal cords (KIngs College London) 15 years ago. I am sure Head and Neck surgery units (some ENT/ other H&N surgeons/Reconstructive surgeons) etc would be able to do it.

Reconstructive surgery is better known as Plastic surgery when its for restoring function.

Likewise I am sure someone can do a plumping up job. It is probably what professional singers have done but whether that will restore function for you is not something I could give you an informed opinion about.

Technically not difficult to do for any of these experts to do

[jeeves19 in reply to pearlette]

Thanks for your response. I suppose I’m thinking ‘if feasible what isn’t it offered and discussed as a treatment option more widely?

[pearlette in reply to jeeves19]

Many symptoms were treated in isolation in connection with ane underlying problem. Most dystonia interventions were pioneered in cerebral palsy patients. They start at birth so lots of children.

Yet the same clinics look afterl a

a minority cohort of children who have strokes . Yet stroke patients with dystonia often do not get offered the same treatment. Until some HCP has a light bulb 💡 moment.

Like wise Parkinsons has been a Cinderella disease for a very long time

[Adam78]

Non-brit. I have had several injections with non-fat material that is temporary, so the procedure must be repeated every few months. Fat injections not available everywhere due to the specialized equipment needed, but I understand fat is more permanent. I stopped the injections when my speech therapist introduced me to EMST (Expiratory Muscle Strength Trainer), a small, adjustable device that you breathe into. It strengthens specific abdominal muscles which increases vocal chord efficiency. It works about as well as the injections did.

[jeeves19 in reply to Adam78]

Thank you Adam

[pearlette in reply to Adam78]

That was really useful information about the EMSt device. I was looking for something like that .Have just ordered one.

[robinson621]

Check into use of oral steroid for Parkinsons voice, I haven't tried it, if you try it let us know if it worked.

[jeeves19 in reply to robinson621]

Thanks 🙏

[pearlette]

I estimated the time you have started your SVLT sessions. I don't think you can expect results until you have done atheist 6 to 12 months at max level

[Cardiology]

Hi Jeeves I've noticed this info on the Cambridge Uni Hospitals Website. Sorry to hear you are having such a struggle with your voice.

cuh.nhs.uk/patient-informat...

[jeeves19 in reply to Cardiology]

Thanks so much for this. Really appreciated. I’ll buy it certainly but am puzzled that it doesn’t mention benefits to the voice much? Selling it on the benefits for swallowing ? I wonder if they’ve missed a trick here?

[JayPwP]

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/197....

[Reetpetitio]

The Beech Band could help when it's released more widely this year? Voice was his main symptom.

beechband.com/

[jeeves19 in reply to Reetpetitio]

Thanks for that!