Confidential voice - Spasmodic Dysphonia information

What readers say

I have had some big changes to my voice recently

Answer from Reader 10: I have had some big changes to my voice recently. After 18 years of living with...

2019-09-02T21:55:30+00:00

Answer from Reader 10: I have had some big changes to my voice recently. After 18 years of living with ADSD I finally tried a botox shot. It was a bilateral shot of 2.5 units to each side. It kicked in on the second day and immediately I could tell the spasms were gone although my voice was extremely weak (and deep). After a few days I could be understood very well on the phone and in quiet settings. After 3 weeks my voice started getting stronger, Now I'm at 61/2 weeks post botox and have a nearly normal voice. So its been almost miraculously beneficial.Of course I am aware of the temporary nature of botox and so I've been applying all the techniques I've been studying up on for the last 2 years with the hope that I can extend the benefit as long as possible. I've read all your material and seen your videos and found them helpful and informative (Thank you very much!). I'm hopeful that I can use my botox experience (as you have) to help retrain my voice. After reviewing my video recordings over the last two years I've found that for the most part I did vocal exercises using the sd voice which was counter productive....but I noticed the times of least spasming occurred when I used a deep, very soft "confidential" voice and when I used a very nasal voice. Both of these techniques help get my voice in the mask. So I plan on concentrating on those two areas together with my botox induced fluency.

https://spasmodic-dysphonia.net/testimonials/i-have-had-some-big-changes-to-my-voice-recently/

I keep improving

Answer from Reader 2: I keep improving the control of my stress and spasms by managing my diet for example...

2019-09-02T21:49:54+00:00

Answer from Reader 2: I keep improving the control of my stress and spasms by managing my diet for example avoiding too much refined flours, sugar, caffeine and soft drinks (like you say in your book) and using natural supplements between meals like Gaba, Tyrosine, Magnesium andCalcium. Omega 3 and Lecithin with foods and brain helpers like Ginkgo and Ginseng. I don’t drink any kind of alcohol but before I was diagnosed with AD Dysphonia, I used to drink some alcohol to speak better once in a while but now I don’t need it anymore.

https://spasmodic-dysphonia.net/testimonials/i-keep-improving/

My voice is better since I read your book

Answer from Reader 4: My voice is better since I read your book,I have used some of your techiques with...

2019-09-02T21:50:20+00:00

Answer from Reader 4: My voice is better since I read your book,I have used some of your techiques with my voice, and also go for acupuncture treatments.Between both I have had amazing improvement. Everyone, but me, at my SD support group, still go the BOTOX route.I believe they are not trying other things because most medical plans will not cover acupuncture or anything unknown to them.I recently ran into a friend of my son's(a 21 year old) whose first words to me were " WOW!you sound really great!". I had not seen him for over 2 years.I thank you for your work. I enjoyed your book because you have walked the journey with SD.My husband and I still laugh at some of the exercises and it's just so crazy how they do work!

https://spasmodic-dysphonia.net/testimonials/my-voice-is-better-since-i-read-your-book/

My voice has seen some improvement over the last year.

Answer from Reader 5: My voice has seen some improvement over the last year..I read your book and do read...

2019-09-02T21:50:46+00:00

Answer from Reader 5: My voice has seen some improvement over the last year..I read your book and do read all ofyour emails and I want to thank you for the encouragement both have offered me. This may sound strange but I've found if I have my boyfriend massage my shoulders it helps my voice as does doing cardio exercise during the week, I do a light jog/walking workout. Also, if my blood sugar gets low or I'm really stressed/nervous I notice it sneaks up on me pretty bad sometimes.

https://spasmodic-dysphonia.net/testimonials/my-voice-has-seen-some-improvement-over-the-last-year/

I have had SD half of my life

Answer from Reader 6: I have been investigating forms of recovery of my voice in the last month or so....

2019-09-02T21:52:16+00:00

Answer from Reader 6: I have been investigating forms of recovery of my voice in the last month or so. I have had quite a bit of success in most circumstances. I have centered my voice in the nose and mouth area and have taken a deep breath before speech. I am not cured, of course, but I am improved in casual conversation. I have an appointment for Botox the 30th and do intend to keep it.I will be 82 in December.I have had SD half of my life. It was caused by long term family stress with my father and family and then again with my husband. SD has had a great impact on my life. And I have formed my life around the SD.I find it amusing that at the age of 82 when my life is almost over (I have 3 heart stents and Diabetes) I might regain my voice again. But in the last few weeks I have used the exercises and have been speaking easier and I do realize with practice I may continue to improve. I do have a big problem in stressful situations though.

https://spasmodic-dysphonia.net/testimonials/i-have-had-sd-half-of-my-life/