Does anybody have vocal tremors/spasms?

[cz1970]

Hi people!

OMG I've had these stupid voice tremors that come on for a few days, to a few weeks.  Sometimes they are so bad it interferes with my ability to swallow. Its like all the peristalsis activity quits. It will take me 2 hrs easy to swallow a piece of food, talk about painful!  So, i've learned not to eat when it's in full spasm. Anyway it was so bad yesterday that I pulled a muscle deep in my jaw somewhere. It's driving me crazy!  I hate it. I can be happy, sad, stressed, not stressed, at home, at school, anywhere doing anything and it will happen. It hurts too cuz all the muscles in my neck/throat cramp down and I can hardly talk. I have to force the words out and I think thats how I pulled the muscle in my neck/throat/jaw...???  Am I crazy?  The ENT noticed it and called it Dysphonia but I know that can be from anything including psychological problems which I've never been accused of so far....... Does anyone else have this?

HELP!
cz

[Deb61]

I get this when my tremors in my head start up.  The last time I had tremors, swallowing and choking were a problem, too.  I also get the voice tremors when I get the head tremors.  Yes, my neck and throat does get this spasm or cramp.  My sister has this really bad and has trouble swallowing.  However, she doesn't get the voice tremors.  I also get very painful esophageal spasms.  I really hate those!!!!!  When I saw a GI for this problem (before my MS diagnosis) he said that Nexium would help with this (and the refulx problem I have).  Do you take Nexium?

I do think this has to do with MS or something neurological.  I can't fake the tremors--so I know it's not psychological.  Plus, the swallowing problem is worse at certain times of the day (evenings), so I think this points to the fact that it isn't psychological.  

I'm sorry you're having this problem!  I hope things improve for you, soon!

Deb

[cz1970]

No, I dont have any GI symptoms so no Nexium.  I dont even get heart burn thank God!  Well it interferes with my ability to sing and everything! I HATE IT! The neuro knows about it but.. oh well.  Maybe my PCP will send me somewhere but where???  Its driving me absolutely nuts! It hurts too!

cz

[AMO]

hi cz,

sorry this is goning on.
the best thing to dx your voice problemms would be a video larynoscopy(sp). they would be able to see exactly how your vocal   folds are moving. speech therapy could be helpful, especially with keeping you safe swallowing.
take care, amo

[cz1970]

When I saw the ENT (for something unrelated but the Dr noted the dysphonia) he did a pretty thorough exam of my vocal chords and said they were fine. He felt it was related to muscle spasm and it was neurological in some way.  So, now what any other ideas....?

cz

[doublevision1]

I have not had tremors like that but I posted yesterday about other voice issues, namely a hoarse, raspy sounding voice.  It came on suddenly on Thursday, got worse on Friday, and seems better today.  No pain, no altered sensation at all, no trouble swallowing.  Do you have anything like this along with the tremors, or did you have hoarseness preceding the tremors?

Speechgeek responded to my post, talking about possible 10th cranial nerve involvement with this voice issue.  I wonder your symptoms stem from a similar source as mine.  I hope when I see my neuro later this month that he will be able to shed some light.

Maybe PM Speechgeek in case she doesn't see your post.  It is so great to have trained professionals here like she and Quix and others, who are generous in sharing their knowledge.

db1

[cz1970]

Thanks for the info. I'll go check them out and see what they think. To answer you question: I dont get exactly hoarse. My voice will be really quiet almost like laryngitis unless I push against the tightness to talk. I dont have any forwarning either really. It's just there from a mild to severe form.  It starts mild then builds then goes away.  My neuro has heard it and so did my PCP. As a matter of fact everyone one hears it!  But they dont know what to make of it.  It's been happening for about 3-4 yrs but only lately has it really gotten bad so now I want it to stop!  I'll check out Speechgeek. Thanks!

cz