National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association

My symptoms started with laryngitis and quickly developed into a difficulty of getting words out. It was a strained, strangled voice but I did not have word breaks like many others with SD have.

I was on a botulinum toxin regime for three years but it was overall ineffective. I tried a wide range of prescription drugs and speech therapy. Speech therapy was effective in removing my poor speech habits and dealing with my MTD element.

NSDA gave me an invaluable common link with other SD people through the world. As an NSDA leader, helping others yielded an unexpected cathartic experience, a gained sense of empowerment over SD. Email and the Internet have been a powerful SD coping force in my life. The personal interaction with people at various NSDA symposiums and meetings help tie it all together. I've always had confidence in my abilities and never let SD define me as a person.

My voice sounds strained and strangled and has breaks in the sound. I have the sensation of someone choking me as I try to force words out.

I receive botulinum toxin injections into both vocal chords approximately every three months. I also incorporate techniques learned in speech therapy to help with spasms.

The NSDA has provided me with the resources to become better educated about my disorder. This has empowered me to make informed decisions about my care and to become an advocate for the cause.

I have a strained, strangled voice with a loss of fluency.

My treatment includes botulinum toxin injections, educating those around me about the disorder, and developing a life and lifestyle where I can thrive given the reality of the disorder.

The NSDA shares bountiful information, and perhaps as or more importantly supports research and advocacy to alert medical professionals and others to the disorder.

My symptoms include breathiness...words evaporated with lots of air coming out instead.

I receive botulinum toxin injections.

The NSDA’s social support through the Bulletin Board gave me comfort that I was not alone, that others understood and experienced all I had encountered including the myriad of emotions I had about my voice The SD Bulletin Board lets you post questions and thoughts and receive helpful responses from others in the same situation. Like on-line botulinum toxin injection jabs, it’s a greater booster and lift for your low days.

My symptoms are breathiness, exhaustion and lack of ease in speaking, and voice breaks.

My treatment includes a year of speech therapy at the University of Mississipppi Speech and Hearing Center, including "Lee Silverman Voice Treatment." Also a weekly massage, Alexander Technique, and voice lessons from an opera singer and an actress.

The NSDA made having spasmodic dysphonia more like being in a fun club than being isolated by an unusual condition. First I found the website, then became support group leader and then participated in the national symposium.

My vocal cords felt very tight, like I was being strangled. I was unable to complete a sentence without choking up between words and it was very exhausting.

I have had over 50 botulinum toxin injections. I also do meditation, journaling and exercise to relieve the tension.

The NSDA has been an invaluable asset to those of us with SD. Education, awareness, research and support have made a huge difference in how we are equipped to deal with our debilitation disorder

My symptoms include Breathiness, spasms and difficulty with saying initial consonants, particularly “h”

In the past 21 years since I was diagnosed with SD, I have had a total of nine Botox injections. I think that only 1 or 2 of them were effective. I have undergone voice therapy twice during this period.

Far and away, the NSDA has played the most critical part in helping me come to terms with SD. I have been blessed by being involved with the NSDA community. They continue to teach me many life lessons.

She had a gradual onset in symptoms. In the last year, her voice sounded strangled and was inconsistent.

She receives Botox injections and is still trying to determine the right dosage. She has extreme breathiness following injections. With 1.5 units breathiness lasted for 11 weeks and 0.5 units breathiness lasted 6 weeks.

NSDA has been crucial to her ability to identify a physician, accept and adapt to this condition. She lives in Montana and knew no one with SD. Two months after diagnosis she attended an NSDA annual conference and decided to be a support group leader. “I wanted to help others without access to a face to face support group.”