Vocal Code Disfuntion

[Jess2132000]

I had a Meth Challenge test which I passed and my pulmonary Dr is rerunning it because I had stopped my Advair 8 hours before the test but now he wants me to stop it two weeks before the next Meth Challenge Test. I guess he wants to make sure I am not getting a incorrect result. He mentioned if I do well on the second test that he wants to look at VCD.Is there any drugs to help VCD if I have this? Or just breathing technigues?I have post nasel drip and shortness of breath when this condition acts up. Can VCD be flaired by anxcity or a number of things?

[National Jewish]

Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is a condition that can mimic asthma.  However, VCD is not helped by asthma medicines.  While inhaling the vocal cords should open to let air into the lungs.  With VCD the vocal cords close together during inhalation.  This makes it difficult for air to get into the lungs.  A lot of the same things that trigger asthma can trigger VCD including upper respiratory infections, fumes, odors, reflux, cigarette smoke, singing, emotional upset, postnasal drip and exercise.  Sometimes the trigger is not known.  These attacks are also often seen with anxiety.  Testing needs to be done while you are having symptoms.  Breathing tests may be normal, but the “breathing in” or inspiratory part, also called an inspiratory flow volume loop, will show little airflow while you are inhaling.  A laryngoscopy is a procedure done by a specialized doctor using a camera at the end of a flexible tube to see how your vocal cords open and close.  VCD is treated by a speech therapist that will instruct you in open throat breathing techniques.  Counseling can help you identify and deal positively with chronic stress, which may be an underlying factor in VCD.  Please read our Vocal Cord Dysfunction MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/vocal.html for more information.  It is important for you to be evaluated by a doctor to determine the diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

[Ellis7]

Breathing problems can be triggered by VCD or Panic Disorder.
Links:

http://www.aaaai.org/aadmc/currentliterature/selectedarticles/1999archive/panicdisordersandasthma.html
Panic Disorders and Asthma
"Editor's Comments
This review addresses situations seen fairly frequently by those treating a lot of asthmatics: 1) individuals diagnosed as have acute asthma unresponsive to therapy which turn out to have PD instead; 2) distinguishing the cause of acute dyspnea and distress in asthmatics who also have PD. I have found that the absence of coughing and a normal peak expiratory flow rate during an acute episode is a fairly reliable guide that these patients are having a PD episode rather than an asthma"
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http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/vocal.html
VOCAL CORD DYSFUNCTION
Excerpt:
"Making a diagnosis of VCD can be very difficult. If your doctor suspects VCD you will be asked many questions about your symptoms. Common symptoms include a chronic cough, chronic throat clearing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, throat tightness, "difficulty getting air in," hoarseness and wheezing.

Many people with VCD have problems with postnasal drip from chronic nasal and/or sinus congestion or gastroesophageal reflux disease. It appears that these two conditions can lead to chronic irritation of the throat leading to vocal cords being hypersensitive to irritant stimuli."

[schmidter]

My wife needs help with her Vocal Cord Disfunction. All the typical symptoms. I'm looking for another patient who she could talk to. Send me an email at ***@****. Thanks!
Brad