Vocal Chord Dysfunction

Has anyone ever even heard of this disorder?  Apparently, this is something I had my whole life.  I don't know if it has anything to do with Fibromyalgia or not, but it is a type of muscle spasm.  I remember how embarrassed I would get when the vocal chords would spasm while I was sitting in class while the teacher was lecturing.  Everyone would turn around and look at me and the teacher would just glare at me like I was being disruptive and rude on purpose.  Thankfully, he didn't decide to take it further and hold me after class.  I didn't appreciate getting that accusatory look one bit as it was.  Only about 2 1/2 years ago did I even get a name for this disorder.  The camera down the throat only took mere seconds to confirm that the vocal chords do the opposite of what they're supposed to do.

When you take in a quick and sudden breath, the vocal chords are supposed to open up.  Mine immediately shut.  There is always obvious irritation around the vocal chords, too, which the camera showed very clearly.  Even non-doctor people could see the irritation and know that isn't supposed to be there.

[Nikodicreta]

Hey furballsmom.
Yes I have come across this a couple times , (not personally affected)
A lack of CO2 may be the main cause of the throat/larynx muscle spasms
that control the vocal cords. The spasms would cause the irritation over time and not the other way around, I think.
A very simple fix - should this be the actual cause - would be by Breathing retraining. It involves retraining the part of the brain that controls respiration
for increased CO2 volume.
And this can be easily achieved by using the "Buteyko Breathing Method".
It can be taught by certified Practitioners or you may purchase the DVD
program (very affordable) to learn this on your own. (excellent cure/treatment for asthma sufferers!) You should see kids picking this up in just a couple days, and often their symptoms almost vanishing within a short time!

Once you master the technique and do the exercises for a while, your respiration normalizes and the brain just goes to auto-pilot mode.
It's well worth a try!
If unsure, find Buteyko Practitioners in your area and ask their opinion
based on their experiences.

A side benefit from breathing retraining would be less production of lactic acid, common with Fibro sufferers, as they are mostly shallow breathers.
This would consequently result to less fatigue.
Let me know what you think.
Cheers!
Niko
PS
There's free information and some instruction on this technique online.
However,for something like this I wouldn't chance it, just in case the subtle details where it differs from the original, may be of great importance.
It's good to check it out though, so you can have an idea of what it involves

[benji44300]

Were you dizzy with this?/ I am very dizzy and feel like I stager at times and very dioreinted (spelling) I am 76 years old and never had this happen and am worried about it

[Nikodicreta]

Hey furballsmom.
Yes I have come across this a couple times , (not personally affected)
A lack of CO2 may be the main cause of the throat/larynx muscle spasms
that control the vocal cords. The spasms would cause the irritation over time and not the other way around, I think.
A very simple fix - should this be the actual cause - would be by Breathing retraining. It involves retraining the part of the brain that controls respiration
for increased CO2 volume.
And this can be easily achieved by using the "Buteyko Breathing Method".
It can be taught by certified Practitioners or you may purchase the DVD
program (very affordable) to learn this on your own. (excellent cure/treatment for asthma sufferers!) You should see kids picking this up in just a couple days, and often their symptoms almost vanishing within a short time!

Once you master the technique and do the exercises for a while, your respiration normalizes and the brain just goes to auto-pilot mode.
It's well worth a try!
If unsure, find Buteyko Practitioners in your area and ask their opinion
based on their experiences.

A side benefit from breathing retraining would be less production of lactic acid, common with Fibro sufferers, as they are mostly shallow breathers.
This would consequently result to less fatigue.
Let me know what you think.
Cheers!
Niko
PS
There's free information and some instruction on this technique online.
However,for something like this I wouldn't chance it, just in case the subtle details where it differs from the original, may be of great importance.
It's good to check it out though, so you can have an idea of what it involves