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Vocal Cord dysfunction?

Posted by mermaid7272 @mermaid7272, Jun 11, 2020

Has anyone had a very frightening episode, very similar to drowning, where your vocal cords spasm, and close? No air can get in your lungs and it literally feels like you will die without air.
This has happened 3 times, a long (several years or months) time between attacks. It lasts about 2-3 minutes but of course feels much longer.
I do have appointment with a ENT dr. in several weeks, but am frightened it will happen again before I see him.
Any exercise or preventative hints?

imallears | @imallears | Jun 12, 2020

@mermaid7272
Hi,
I didn’t have breathing problems but developed nodules on my vocal cords when I regurgitated during a routine procedure while under anesthesia and lost my voice. Until you see the ENT I would try some gentle breathing exercises, drink plenty of fluids and, to keep your lungs open may I suggest steam. You can use the old fashioned method of putting a towel over your head while bending over a pot of boiling water. I ended up going to speech therapy and these were some of the things I was told to do for the vocal cords and also to keep your lungs open. Do what you are comfortable doing and don’t let stress interfere…I can imagine how scary this all is. Remain as calm as you can as stress may trigger an episode.

Good luck

FL Mary

REPLY
1 reply
mermaid7272 | @mermaid7272 | Jun 12, 2020
In reply to @imallears "@mermaid7272 Hi, I didn’t have breathing problems but developed nodules on my vocal cords when I..." + (show)
@imallears

@mermaid7272
Hi,
I didn’t have breathing problems but developed nodules on my vocal cords when I regurgitated during a routine procedure while under anesthesia and lost my voice. Until you see the ENT I would try some gentle breathing exercises, drink plenty of fluids and, to keep your lungs open may I suggest steam. You can use the old fashioned method of putting a towel over your head while bending over a pot of boiling water. I ended up going to speech therapy and these were some of the things I was told to do for the vocal cords and also to keep your lungs open. Do what you are comfortable doing and don’t let stress interfere…I can imagine how scary this all is. Remain as calm as you can as stress may trigger an episode.

Good luck

FL Mary

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Thanks for your tips, they are very much appreciated. I do have a steam humidifier & use it before bedtime. The problem, as you might imagine, is that no air can get past my vocal cords until the spasm passes. But if it happens again, I shall try. The humidifier is set up by my bed & ready to use.
This is a horrific condition- I can only hope the dr. can help before it happens again.

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