Sleep Apnea and Voice Disorders

marshaeb wrote:Hey, Wulfman, were you just talking about your speaking voice, or do you sing, too?

Some of both.
Probably depends on whom you ask....... (with regards to the "singing")
I've never sang professionally or anything more than in church (and choir) when I was younger. Since then, just whenever......usually just singing along with the radio. Some have told me that I could sing pretty good, but......who knows?

Den

we could start a group with CorgiGirl. . . . halfway between Tacoma and the Big Apple would put us somewhere in the neighborhood of Minneapolis, I think. . .

As I read that, fond memories of a band roadtrip to Minneapolis from my younger (and foolisher) days came to mind. If I could only hit notes like back then!

Then, as I reread it, the Partridge Family started playing in my head: "I'll meet you halfway/That's better than no way/There must be some way to get it together . . ."



jnk

jnk wrote:

we could start a group with CorgiGirl. . . . halfway between Tacoma and the Big Apple would put us somewhere in the neighborhood of Minneapolis, I think. . .

As I read that, fond memories of a band roadtrip to Minneapolis from my younger (and foolisher) days came to mind. If I could only hit notes like back then!

Then, as I reread it, the Partridge Family started playing in my head: "I'll meet you halfway/That's better than no way/There must be some way to get it together . . ."



jnk

I for one sure wouldn't mind if you guys managed to get a tour circuit going. I have to fess up, though... I like jnk's "nouveau-retro-folk/countryrock-pop ballads with an occasional roots/Americana or funk twist" genre:

http://virb.com/jeffreynelson
(warning: above link "swiped" from jnk's profile without permission)

Very enjoyable stuff! Thanks, jnk!

Yes, I have some issues with swallowing (and chewing), speaking, and breathing. I also feel tightness and dryness in my throat (even while drinking), and want to have shallow little coughs. (I learned to mostly ignore that impulse to cough.)

I never had a time where I couldn't speak, but ocassionally it's harder, due to having more of a choking/dry and weak sensation. Speaking tires me out easily, often feeling like it's a major effort to just answer a question, and I generally speak too softly for people. I trail off and take pauses and say less. I am on a medication for muscle issues which I think helps the speaking somewhat. I am often out of breath very easily and need to breathe fast and shallowly. I like to breathe irregularly - taking many breaths and then taking a break where I just breathe slowly. The swallowing issues are a pain, but I know all of this could be worse.

I do not know if it's PVCD. I am told it is not asthma. I know I have post-nasal drip, as well as allergies that are a pain and cause a lot of varying symptoms. The post-nasal drip causes itchiness and soreness in my throat sometimes (usually it's mild). The sleep doc was mildly concerned with congestion in my lungs and something to do with my nasal sinuses.

I have had these issues, along with fatigue, for at least 20 years -- since I was a child. I've only been on BiPAP for 6 weeks so far.

Ohh, forgot to say one of the most important parts. My diagnosis is formally listed as OSAS, but its most likely that I actually have UARS. (Gladly, I am getting therapy covered by insurance.) You were asking about OSA & issues, and I think that there is probably much more connection between UARS and speaking issues (and breathing and swallowing issues).

I have been diagnosed with Vocal Cord Dysfunction. Go to the National Jewish Hospital website for additional info. I went back there for treatment last summer. For a week of diagnostic testing. Almost 6 weeks later I came home.

I was given Heliox to get oxygen past my Vocal Cords when they "slam shut". And GERD was the chief culprit. I am on Nexium twice a day and Mylanta before I go to bed. (Heliox is only made one place in Northern Calif. 70% Oxygen/30% Heliox or 80/20).

Sept 13, 2006 I was sitting here, in the same chair I am in as I type this, I finished a sentence and tried to breathe. I could not get any air to go in. I gasped for a few seconds, knew I was in trouble and tried to get to my oxygen bottle. I fell on my face in our tiled entryway and that is where the EMTs found me. My wife put the oxygen mask on me, and dialed 911.

I was taken to Mercy San Juan Hospital and put into their Critical Care Unit. None of the doctors had a clue what was wrong with me, but I was breathing somewhat normally again. Later, I was told when we pass out, the Vocal Cords will "release" after we lose consciousness. Luckily, a nurse was walking past my bed and overheard the questions. She stepped up, told them I have Vocal Cord Dysfunction and I need to have Heliox available. Their hospital did not have any.

I learned how to "breathe through" the attacks while in Denver. But it is very scary. Now that I am on the Respironics BiPAP Servo Ventilator, I feel like the reason I have had Encore Pro readings of 30 cmH2o for as long as 30 minutes is possibly attacks of VCD while asleep.

One other interesting point NJC made was that speech is the secondary function of our Vocal Cords. Protecting our lungs is the primary function.

dllfo wrote:I have been diagnosed with Vocal Cord Dysfunction. Go to the National Jewish Hospital website for additional info.

Here's that National Jewish website dllfo refers to above (VCD page):
http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-i ... index.aspx


A Few More Related Links:

RT Magazine Article about VCD:
http://www.rtmagazine.com/issues/articl ... -10_06.asp


CHEST Article: "Understanding Vocal Cord Dysfunction- A Step in the Right Direction With a Long Road Ahead":
http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/full/129/4/842


One VCD patient's web page containing VCD factoids, links, and other resources:
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com/

The silly part of this thread has been moved to a new thread called "New thread, split from 'Sleep Apnea and Voice Disorders.' "

many apologies, soundasleep
mea culpa
Marsha

marshaeb wrote:The silly part of this thread has been moved to a new thread called "New thread, split from 'Sleep Apnea and Voice Disorders.' "

many apologies, soundasleep
mea culpa
Marsha

Change in plans -- the new thread name wasn't very descriptive. It's now "Slinky & the Snoredogs?? Echo & the Carbonmen??"


Marsha

This is the second time I have lost my voice completely and am wondering if the C-Pap might be the cause. Supposedly, I was bleeding into my vocal chords, doctors never knew why, so thinking it's connected to the machine.

Start a new thread please - this one's 5 yrs old.

I've been on CPAP for about 4 years and wondering if it's causing some of my breathy, broken, harsh or "croaking" voice.
Can't give up the CPAP cause I've been diagnosed with severe apnea.
On BP meds and lots of other meds.
Been to 2 ENT specialists but no solution or cure yet.
I am really frustrated with the PND that I perceive I have.
A lot of throat clearing and grinding.
SHMBO (She who must be obeyed) is getting impatient with listening to me.

doxland wrote:I've been on CPAP for about 4 years and wondering if it's causing some of my breathy, broken, harsh or "croaking" voice.
Can't give up the CPAP cause I've been diagnosed with severe apnea.
On BP meds and lots of other meds.
Been to 2 ENT specialists but no solution or cure yet.
I am really frustrated with the PND that I perceive I have.
A lot of throat clearing and grinding.
SHMBO (She who must be obeyed) is getting impatient with listening to me.

I see you have a nasal mask in your profile. If your mouth is falling open at night or you're mouth-breathing, then what you describe is possible.

If you use software to monitor your therapy, you may be able to tell from the reports if you're leaking or not.


Den

.

Cpap has strengthened my voice, if anything.
My voice weakened a small bit in my fifties, and I lost several notes off each end
of my nearly three octave range--more likely due to UNTREATED apnea.
Cpap has helped restore much of my lost timbre, but not all the range.

doxland wrote:I've been on CPAP for about 4 years and wondering if it's causing some of my breathy, broken, harsh or "croaking" voice.
Can't give up the CPAP cause I've been diagnosed with severe apnea.
On BP meds and lots of other meds.
Been to 2 ENT specialists but no solution or cure yet.
I am really frustrated with the PND that I perceive I have.
A lot of throat clearing and grinding.
SHMBO (She who must be obeyed) is getting impatient with listening to me.

The voice problems you describe can be from GERD.. Acid can travel up the esophagus and affect the voice box.