Voice issues

Cghg

Hi everyone. I'm Claire, new to scope.  I have a chronic voice issue involving thinning and bowing vocal chords and muscle tension dysphonia.  I have a job in the NHS but have been under review on and off for a long while because I work with the public and I'm not coping so well!  I also have depression and anxiety.  Anyway, is there anyone on here that suffers from voice issues which disrupt their lives?  Hope to hear back from you soon.  Claire x

chiarieds

Hi @Cghg - Welcome to the community, Claire. I don't have your issues, but have a little understanding of vocal cord disorders. Have you considered asking for 'Reasonable Adjustments' to see if you could continue working in a different capacity, or reduced hours? I'm sure the stress of this must worsen your problems, so it can't be easy.

Scope has some links, which I hope you find helpful.

Please see: https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/work-careers/reasonable-adjustments/

https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/flexible-part-time-working/

https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/mental-health-and-coronavirus/

The latter has some mental health links, apps, etc, put together for use because of C0vid-19, but still largely applicable at any time.

Have you discussed your depression & anxiety with your GP, to see if they can help?

Please kindly let us all know how you get on, thank you.

Ami2301

Welcome to the community @Cghg I've not come across any members who have the same condition as yourself, however there are many members with conditions that  can affect their voice, I hope they will be iin touch soon to share their experiences with you

Cghg

Thankyou both for your comments.  Unfortunately working in the NHS in these covid times has shown up how I can't cope with vocal roles.  I might have to travel to the hospital I am presently working at and change my job after 27 years in the same role.  It's hard and very stressful for me to accept.  I am going to need some support.  There is a vacancy in a role more suitable for me but it's more hours and more travelling.  I get tired very quickly. This week at work might reveal more of what could happen but I am finding it all very unsettling and stressful and along with finding out my nice is autistic and dealing with my own problems, I have been feeling quite low in mood.  I will check out the links you sent and I recognise now I need some councilling but that could be difficult when I have no voice at all.  I would not be able to support myself if I didn't work as much as not working would take the pressure off me!!! X

chiarieds

Thank you for your reply @Cghg - I'm sending one more link 'just in case.' You've got a lot going on, &, as you know, stress doesn't help. I used to teach this relaxation exercise (as a physio), which might be worth a try. I still use it to get to sleep, or if overwhelmed with pain. It's the way babies & young children naturally breathe; something most adults have long forgotten! It's a good stress buster, & helps you relax the muscles in your shoulders & neck, which may help.

See: https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/therapies/abdominal-breathing.pdf

Cghg

Thankyou so much.  It just helps to know I not alone. X

Ails

Hi @Cghg and welcome to the Community.  It's nice to meet you.  I'm really sorry to hear about everything you are going through.  I can appreciate that this all must be so stressful for you as you have so much to deal with.  You are not alone on here, but amongst new friends as we all support each other.  So please feel free to chat to us anytime as there will always be someone here to list.  People are so friendly and supportive on the forum and will want to help you as much as we can.  I do hope you have found the great advice and information above provided by @chiareds to be helpful and glad you are going to look into these when you are ready.  Please let us know how you are getting on and if there is anything we can do for you at all then you only just have to ask.  All the best. 

Chloe_Alumni

Welcome to the community @Cghg! Sorry to hear things have been really hard, and that covid19 has also impacted on this. 

Please do let us know how you get on and if there is anything else we can do to help. You certainly are not alone.

Cghg

Hi, thankyou for your message.  I'm feeling a little better today. It looks like I might be able to shadow a staff member in the dept that has the vacancy for data input.  I'll see what happens there.  I will keep in touch on here.  Thanks xx

Chloe_Alumni

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you @Cghg! 

Cghg

Thankyou xx

PhilB1

Hi Claire,
I’m also new to Scope and I’m unsure how long ago you posted your message, but anyway, I really hope you’ve managed to sort out your work issues etc.
I want to say that I’ve also apparently got Muscle Tension Dysphonia and anxiety and it makes life exceedingly difficult. What, may I ask, are your symptoms?  Also have you managed to see a speech therapist about your voice? There are quite a few exercises that can be done for MTD. I’ve seen it all in the web, but am yet to get a proper diagnosis, so don’t know much. 

Anyway, I look forward to hearing from you. Pippa 

Tori_Scope

Welcome to the community @PhilB1 How are you doing today?

Thanks for commenting! It looks like the original post was made in May 2020, so I'm not sure if this member is around any more. That being said, I don't imagine you're the only one with these conditions, so I hope someone else with MTD sees your comment. You could also try creating your own post about it, if you feel comfortable doing that. 

As you've mentioned not having a proper diagnosis yet, I was just wondering whether you're in the process of receiving a diagnosis? 

Are you receiving any support for your anxiety at the moment? 

Cghg

Hi Pippa, i hope you are having a good weekend.  I need to give you hope that it is possible that your voice could be back to normal as i have my normal voice right now and for the last 6 months or so.  I have a new job but i had to accept a full-time position in order to get a voice suitable job.  I have recently been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and i struggle with fatigue daily.  I have the support of Access to Work with getting cabs to takebme home every day but unfortunately the cab firm don't have enough staff to bring me into work everyday.  I now need to travel to work everyday and it can take up to 1 hr and a half.   

My voice is affected by stress and bottling up my feelings and also over use of my voice too.  It changed my life.  I find my new job boring at times but i am grateful i have a job after everything i have been through but i know i am capable of doing more but i need to calm that down as my voice could go again in the future and it did for a short while today after i walked up a hill and became out of breath.  It seemed to affect my neck muscles. 

I have seen a speech therapist and a voice specialist in the Royal Throat, Nose and Ear hospital in London.  They are really good.  

PhilB1

Hi Tori
Thank you so much for your kind reply.
Yes, I’m in the system: I have an ENT appointment on Tuesday but I am told there’s a huge waiting list to see a speech therapist. I’m hoping the ENT person can give me a diagnosis. 

I am also booked to see a clinical psychologist on Friday but as I can’t speak very well, I’m feeling a little hopeless about this.
I’ve booked myself in for some acupuncture too. I’m rather desperate so I’m throwing everything at it. 

The anxiety and MTD probably come from having to deal with a diagnosis of breast cancer in late 2020. It was caught early but it’s been a REALLY rough road especially with COVID and having two children and aged parents. It’s all happening! 

Thank you again for your kindness, it’s so appreciated. Pippaxx

PhilB1

Hi Claire
Thank you so much for the hope that you’ve given me. And you really have! It’s so lonely being in pain most of the time and not being able to communicate.
May I ask you if your MTD symptoms were the same as mine? I have heavy/tight/burning throat, cheeks, jaw, neck and chest. And my tongue and mouth can become tired and sore. My voice is weak and tired especially as the day goes on.
Also how did you overcome it all? Did you do voice exercises, breathing exercises and neck exercises?  

Well done for doing what you can regarding your work. It sounds like one step at a time is sensible. Sometimes we need to start life again almost don’t we?!?!

Thank you again...bless you for giving me hope. Pippa xx