I have trouble exercising because I can't breathe correctly. I have thought it was asthma before, but it's not my lungs; it's my vocal cords in my throat the swell shut.

I was just reading an article on "vocal cord dysfunction" at LiveStrong.com (link below), and was struck by this sentence:

"The American Thoracic Society suggests learning relaxation techniques, or undergoing biofeedback or psychotherapy if emotions or stress trigger vocal cord dysfunction."

Psychotherapy, huh? Could childhood trauma to my throat have caused my vocal cords to swell up when I exercise?

Just wondering if this has come up before in the realm of Survivor Wellness.

Thanks,

Jim



http://www.livestrong.com/article/549234-my-throat-tightens-closes-during-exercises/

cant_remember

It's hard to tell what you are experiencing. But I'll just add my 2 cents worth.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muteness

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_mutism

I experienced "mutism" or "muteness" as a 13-year-old. Yes it was caused by abuse. For many years I didn't know what the cause was. Nobody knew. It was only after I remembered the several abusive events I experienced that it became clear that it was due to the abuse. There was nothing wrong with my vocal cords either. It was strictly an emotional response. I think the correct description is that it was a "hysterical conversion phenomenon". I hate to use that term because of its recent misuse by a prominent figure. I was given speech therapy after I started attending a new and intimidating high school. The speech therapy only helped in the sense that it was giving me some much needed individual attention. Underneath I knew I could really talk. Finally after several months of speech therapy I was able to summon courage to tell the speech therapist that I could talk. She went: 'Oh........' and she arranged for me to have psychological counseling. In that day they didn't know much about how to go about counseling a boy. They didn't know what questions to ask, and certainly they didn't know what answers were appropriate. Finally, I figured out how to solve my own problem. All-in-all I was mute for about 3 and a half years during 9th, 10th, and 11th grades.

If you have questions, I'd be glad to respond. Send me a PM if you like.

Puffer

Puffer,

Thank you for sharing your story, but that's not what I'm experiencing. I'm getting an asthma-like tightening of my throat during exercise.

C_R

Hi Cant_Remember,

Now that you have an idea of what you might be experiencing (a problem in your throat rather than with your lungs), you may be best served by seeing an otolaryngologist (ENT).

Write down all of your symptoms, what precipitates them, duration, etc. The specialist will need that information in addition to doing a thorough examination.

The internet is a great source of information, but it shouldn't be a substitute for medical care.

Just my $0.02.




Anomalous

I appreciate the advice, but I am currently un-insured. So going to an ENT isn't in the cards at the moment.

But now that I have isolated the issue, I do indeed intend on seeing a doctor about it as soon as I can... but without insurance, one makes due.

Hi Cant_Remember,

Check this site for low/ no cost clinics in your area. Enter your zip code and the distance you are willing to travel.

Also, if there are any teaching hospitals in your area they usually offer services at no cost if you meet their criteria. There is usually a long wait (can be several months) for services.




Anomalous

Thanks.