questions about vcd......

[pete1]

I have asked questions reguarding my trouble breathing. I have been having trouble breathing for about 3 months. I have searched the web over for people with same kinds of symptoms. The only thing that I have come accross is vocal crod disfunction. What do you Drs. know about this and can it come and go. I have been told I may have anxiety but I really don't feel like that is the case but the ativan that I have been given helps. It has been suggested that anti anxiety meds help with VCD. It is almost like it relaxes a muscle or something which in turn, helps with the breathing. This all started after having endoscopic sinus surgery. My thoughts are that some damage was done when the breathing tube was placed for surgery. Can some damage have been done during that like VCD and if so, can the symptoms comes and go and be releaved by anti anxiety meds? I know I need to see a lung doctor to rull out things but I do not have insurence right now. YOur thoughts on what this could be would help greatly. The symptoms again are trouble inhaling like I have to try real hard to get a full breath and pain at the "top" of the inhale like the trachia hurts "up high" in my chest. Thank you in advance.

[dinzb]

A related discussion, New VCD diagnoses was started.

[Retiredinfla]

A related discussion, VCD-can't breathe and pain was started.

[gabby124]

Hi i suffer from vcd im 15 years of age and female i would like to learn how to control it and if there is any teenage person who i can discus this how i feel and mabey we could stop this horrible thing together. also there was tired nurse who used to work in a jewish hospital who tried to contact me but the information was lost her and her husband both suffer from vcd please try to contact me again .
                                               Sincerly
                                                  gabby

[National Jewish]

Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) comes and goes, often without apparent reason. The vocal cords close during inhalation, when they should be open. This can happen with or without anxiety. It may mimic asthma or occur with asthma.
VCD is diagnosed by observing the closed vocal cords during an attack with a fiber optic laryngoscope. With this device, it would also be possible to see if there is any damaged tissue that may have occurred from the breathing tube during your endoscopic sinus surgery. Either a lung specialist (pulmonologist) or an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT) would be helpful in diagnosing VCD. The treatment for VCD is open throat breathing techniques, which are taught by a speech therapist.