Re: reintroducing myself after a while off the board (chronic voice dysfunction)

[Guest guest]

Hi Elaine,

Your symptoms sound very similar to mine. My chronic voice dysfunction was the

initial issue that started me on the road to discovering that I have flatback

almost twenty years ago. I was receptionist for almost my entire working career

so to gradually go from hearing " My, you have a beautiful speaking voice! " to

" Oh, dear are you sick? " was very frustrating and depressing. I am also a

singer and actor so my voice is my instrument. The symptoms were exacerbated by

stress - I know that because I realized that I seemed to feel better - somewhat

- just before going on vacation.

I put a lot of pressure on myself - I'm a perfectionist, find it difficult to

say no, felt it hard to lean on anyone, though I always listened to problems of

others - I wasn't finding enjoyment or satisfaction in my job (I wanted to be

working in the arts fulltime but my physical limitations meant the opportunities

for acting were, and still are, almost non-existent) When opportunities did

come up I was always worried that I wouldn't be able to take the time off - more

stress.

That on top of the structural problems of scoliosis and the fact that I am only

4'6 " tall having to adjust to a physical world built for average sized adults, I

was always trying to adapt to chairs and desks that weren't ergonomically suited

to my needs and after many years it took its toll on my neck and shoulders. More

stress and pain.

When I first spoke to my family doctor about my voice, she sent me to an ENT who

sent me for a barium swallow. I found out that I have a hiatal hernia and GERD -

not surprising because I belch a LOT and sometimes have terrible acid reflux

- I was started on Pantoloc after that diagnosis. Another time I had vocal nodes

ruled out - though I discovered I do have a deviated septum which helps explain

the sinus infections I get. I went to a massage therapist and it took years

before I could relax my tight muscles enough to get the maximum benefits.

Chiropractic has helped too, though the benefits are short-lived.

In 1998 I had my doctor refer me to a specialist who runs a musician's clinic in

Hamilton and Toronto. Not too many doctors have a baby grand piano in their

exam room! He finally convinced me that I needed an ergonomic work station -

which I arranged through my HR department. He also suggested that I might have

some emotional issues that might be better attended to by a psychiatrist.

Needless to say, it was some of the best advice I've ever received. My

psychiatrist was quick to tell me that I needed exercise like everyone else - I

took him up on the challenge and began to attend a regular aquafit class -

something I continued for almost 10 years until I quit my job in 2009.

It took awhile, but doing aquafit regularly (two or three times a week) my

speaking and singing voice started regaining strength. I think it was because I

had toned and strengthened my core muscles and relieved the tightness of my back

(what little function they still had after my HR surgery) and shoulder muscles

as well. In addition, my leg muscles were strengthened and toned, too. I just

felt good!! I even stopped taking pantoloc because I wasn't bothered by reflux

- I had lost weight too, so I didn't have the abdominal pressure of additional

bulk around my waist that would typically . I can't stress (pardon the pun)

enough how important regular exercise is for us scoliosis gals. Once I really

became aware of the physical and emotional benefits of how my body was reacting

to exercise - it was clear to see how twisted and torked and stressed I was

prior to exercising. Especially when I would miss a couple of weeks when I was

on vacation or sick - I would notice how stiff and tight I felt.

That's how I am feeling again I knew when I started the class that I would

have to find one I could go to straight from work because if I had to come home

first I wouldn't want to go back out. I don't drive, so convenience is a big

deal for me. Anyway, I was right. I haven't gone to a class in the year and a

half since I stopped working. I've put on twenty pounds during that time and my

reflux is back. At 4'6 " an extra 20 pounds is a big deal. My ideal weight is

around 82-84lbs.

My singing voice has been giving me trouble for over a year now and it's to the

point where I feel I will need to stop singing if it continues - something I do

not want to have to do! I know that getting back to a regular exercise regime

is key, so I am going to try to find a class nearby and start going back again.

I have an Aero Pilates Reformer that I purchased right before I left work using

some money from my benefits - but most of the time it just sits there! I need

structure

Sheila

> >

> > Hi all,

> >

> > I haven't posted in quite awhile but I have been reading the digests

regularly. I wanted to update the group on my flatback situation.

> >

> > Without going back through all my history (you can search my name to find it

I suppose), I was born with spina bifida and congenital scoliosis in 1959. I had

my fusion in 1968, the diastematomyelia excision and my Harrington rod implanted

in 1970.

> >

> > I managed extremely well until I began to experience symptoms of flatback in

the early-mid 1980's resulting in a myriad of problems with my feet, SI joints,

neck and shoulder pain, crippling occipital headaches, TMJ and tinnitus as well

as chronic vocal dysfunction. All combined the chronic pain led to depression.

> >

> > After working for almost 30 years in a variety of clerical positions, I quit

my last full time job in October 2009 and applied for CPP Disability (Canada

Pension Plan) this past October. I must have had all my ducks in a row because I

was approved in January. I began a short-term temp assignment last month for two

days a week and that seems to be enough for me to handle with time to recover in

between.

> >

> > The most recent symptom began last summer when I came down with a sudden and

severe attack of Vertigo (or Labyrinthitis) that left me incapacitated for

several days during my annual vacation in Nova Scotia. Upon my return I visited

my PCP who suggested it was probably a virus that " was going around " but I am

not convinced because I have had several recurrences of the dizziness (though

not as severe) since then.

> >

> > It seems to be brought on whenever I crane my neck backwards to look up at

something and whenever I lay down or turn in bed. I am now considering having

her refer me to a specialist to see if it may be related to my cervical spine

issues. I have also been hesitant to return to my chiropractor because of this.

> >

> > I have also been researching the possibility that I may have developed

adhesive arachnoiditis from the myelogram dye used back in 1970. My records show

that the dye was put up into my neck as well as my lumbar spine. I would be

interested in hearing from anyone else who has arachnoiditis and what they do to

relieve the neurological pain.

> >

> > I have posted a pictures folder with a few jpegs of my standing xray films

and mri scan taken over a year ago. Dr didn't recommend revision

surgery for me - suggesting that he probably wouldn't get much lumbar

correction. I am sorry I didn't have him explain that in more detail as to why.

> >

> >

> > Sheila

> > Ontario, Canada

> >

>