Re: vocal cord dysfunction as an Asthma Mimic

[Guest guest]

....but some chariteristics of my asthma

>difficulties have always puzzled the doctors providing my guidance .....i

>think perhaps , some was actually chiari presure trigered vcd .

>

>id love others thoughts on this one .

>obstruction that principally is limited to the inspiratory phase of the

>ventilatory cycle results in stridor. Patients with this presentation often

>are seen first by otolaryngologists. In contrast, when abnormal vocal cord

>movements are most prominent during expiration or are present throughout the

>respiratory cycle, the condition mimics asthma,

>Through the years, there have been a number of case reports describing

>patients who initially were felt to have stridor or asthma but were found to

>have functional closure of the glottis.

,

Our vocal cord impairment with relation to the Chiari is always signalled

by inspirational stridor. A shocking weezing noise on the in breath.

When investigated the left vocal cord was impaired, and I was told that

inspirational as opposed to expirational was an indication that the

Chiari was at work.

I guess because we have always known about the Chiari and although we

ruled out other causes of the stridor, it was very apparent that Rox's

Chiari was the cause.

This is pretty serious stuff, the vocal cord impairment directly related

to the Chiari, this was the reason for the third surgery, reconstruction

on Rox, the Neurosurgeons indicated that this was very serious and

moved very quickly to address the issue of room again.

Since that surgery I still hear it on different occassions, but it has

never been as severe as it was and when it goes again for no apparent

reason I am just thankful.

All folks with Chiari should be aware that changes in voice, noisy

breathing in sleep/awake is a clue and should seek doctors advice.

Have a great day,

Kym, Rox's Mum