Vocal cord dysfunction anyone have this?

Posted by tcarson52 @tcarson52, Apr 25, 2025

I have used two types of good bronchodilator’s, several rescue meds and hospital breathing treatments. Nothing opens me up so I can breathe. It’s been exhausting and disappointing. I ran across this disorder and wondering if this is the reason. I’ve had a phobia of taking any medication for years but made myself do this anyway. I have very high anxiety as well. This at least makes sense to me that I could be doing this subconsciously. My doctor already thinks I’m odd so not sure what he will say once I spring this on him. I was just wondering if anyone had this and how to help myself. My breathing is so bad I’m desperate for some relief.

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I have anxiety, but not with breathing mine is taking pill and they get hung, or food, might be gerd for me not sure. I wish I had an answer for you, but sometimes I think I work myself up to, as fast as eating because anxiety cause you to tense up all over. Praying to cast out the anxiety

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Profile picture for snoots @snoots

I have anxiety, but not with breathing mine is taking pill and they get hung, or food, might be gerd for me not sure. I wish I had an answer for you, but sometimes I think I work myself up to, as fast as eating because anxiety cause you to tense up all over. Praying to cast out the anxiety

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I can’t swallow a pill for anything. Here’s what I do to make it so easy, even the big pills. Get applesauce a big spoon full put your pill or pills in the sauce. They go right down. Has never failed me.

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We must be twins! I had that phobia too; it is an actual phobia. I went through a biopsy with no lidacane because I was scared of it. Hurt like hell! I’m afraid of having a reaction to a new medication. They list all of these awful side effects, they scare me so bad. It took me days to try my first broncodilator.
Nothing opened me up either. I started with Anoro I took it for a while but like you said it never really opened me up. The rescue don’t either I’m now on stiolto it did nothing either until I tried it with a spacer. I don’t think I am getting the med all the way in. The spacer lets you push the med in the holder and then you breathe it in. I now wait to nail until all my breath is out then breathe in all the way. It has helped some; way better than before so maybe you are not getting the medication all the way back in your lungs. I’m going to try a different medication in January with a medication that is coming on our new insurance formulation

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Profile picture for mark141175 @mark141175

I’m really sorry you’re going through this – I’m in a very similar position and still desperately looking for some kind of relief myself.

In my case, I’ve been told I have dysfunctional breathing / inducible laryngeal obstruction. Asthma-type treatment just doesn’t touch it. I’ve been on all sorts over the years – blue inhaler, preventer inhalers, antihistamines, nasal sprays, acid reflux medication, etc. I’ve also been given different breathing exercises and “stop cough” techniques by speech and language and other staff. Whether I do them or not, nothing really changes. The pattern is always the same: the meds and exercises don’t stop these episodes or give me any real relief.

My main problem is awful coughing fits that can go on for hours and completely wear me out. I struggle to clear phlegm from the back of my throat – it feels stuck there, so I just keep coughing and coughing but don’t really bring anything up. When it’s bad, I feel light-headed, “not right,” my vision can go fuzzy and I get really scared. It’s hard to think straight, never mind use my phone properly or call for help.

One strange thing is that my daughter has noticed (and I’ve realised it too) that I don’t seem to cough when I’m properly asleep. I usually wake up not coughing, then after I’ve been awake a short time, the coughing starts again. That, plus the fact that asthma meds don’t help, is part of why people have mentioned dysfunctional breathing / laryngeal issues to me rather than “standard” asthma.

I’ve been through ENT, had cameras up my nose and down my throat, tried different breathing and relaxation exercises – still no real improvement. I feel like I’ve tried everything that’s been offered but I’m still in the same boat as you: exhausted, anxious, and desperate for something that actually works.

I’m honestly at the point where I would do almost anything if it meant getting some proper relief from this. It’s the most horrible feeling and medical condition I’ve ever had, and it wears you down mentally as well as physically. I’m in exactly the same position as you – desperate, fed up of nothing working, and just wanting to be able to breathe and live normally again. There has to be something out there that will help people like us, and I really hope we both find someone who will listen properly and take this seriously.

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@mark141175 have you tried the huff cough. It will show you how on u tube, some I can do it , it works well. I also breath into my pep.

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I often find myself with a gravelly voice, or clearing my throat or coughing a bit to clear things out. It lasts for a while, then the gravel comes back. It is especially bad when I'm at work and I have to talk to people.
I figured the COPD was the cause. I'm not sure what I can do about it.

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I’m relieved that others are having the same issue. Several years ago I had the tube down the nose and was told everything was normal. At times I have difficulty talking and lots of phlegm in my throat. I can’t sing at all in church anymore. Not that I was a great singer but nothing comes out. I have always thought that inhalers and oxygen were to blame. With all we have to deal with this is just one more thing.

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