Spasmodic Dysphonia

  I've been experiencing voice problems for few months now.  Voice breaks, is quavery, breathy, not enough breath to finish sentence, chest hurts when talk too much.  Been to ear/nose/throat, said probably voice strain and to rest voice but it hasn't gotten any better.  Got puffer because out of breath when talk, but that didn't work either.  Could it be spasmodic dysphonia?  I'm 21 yr old female.  When I was younger I had a problem with shaking my head and turning it to the side as well as my wrists which I still do occasionally.  Any advice greatly appreciated.
Dear Kellie,
Spasmodic dysphonia is a chronic disorder of unknown cause that usually appears in adulthood.  There are two types adductor (characterized by jerky/choppy breaks in phonation, monopitched) and abductor type( breathy, efforful, often with sudden cessation of voice).  The diagnosis is not certain unless the patients complains of sensation of strain or strangle during speech production. Approximately 2/3 of patients with spasmodic dysphonia have evidence of a movement disorder somewhere else (?symptoms that you were describing).  I recommend that you get an evaluation by a neurologist.  Treatment options include baclofen, trihexphendyl for the underlying dystonia. If you are interested in getting an evaluation at  CCF, call 1-800-CCF-CARE. Good Luck.