I have not been posting for a while, been busy with my shop..
But I've been receiving emails asking me about my experiences with different treatments and therapists. So I felt it better to post about my experiences regarding the usual queries.
"Hi Misty! Who is your recommended voice therapist?"
"What's in the Chinese herbs?"
"Where did you have your botox? Did it work?"
About the CHINESE HERBS = I don't know what's in them. Looks like twigs and barks. I would recommend them if you have GERD or if you feel that your spasmodic dysphonia is triggered by acid reflux. But I've found out that they have the same effect on me as the medicine Paiet. So perhaps you could take that instead.
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my BOTOX = I had it mine done by the leading ENT doctor in the Philippines. He has a clinic at St. Luke's Medical Hospital in Manila. I was told he is the expert in botox treatments for the vocal cords because he has done most of the botox injections for spasmodic dysphonia patients in the Philippines. Did it work? Unfortunately, not for me.. I truly envy those who are receptive to botox treatment! They at least got some faster relief.
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REGULAR VOICE THERAPY = I've had about 2 to 3 months of regular voice therapy. And I would agree with those who say that traditional speech or voice therapy DOES NOT WORK on spasmodic dysphonia. At least not in my SD. It works well on vocal cord paralysis, etc. But somehow I have yet to hear or an SD patient who responded well to regular voice therapy.
Now for the expert voice therapists concentrating on spasmodic dysphonia... If you have SD, I'm sure you've come across these names in the industry:
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DR. MORTON COOPER = His main theory is that spasmodic dysphonia is caused by using the wrong pitch (too low or too high from your normal, natural voice). He has lots of testimonies of cures. yes, cures! You can find his videos in his YouTube page. I did 30 minutes of overseas phone therapy with him. He confirmed that I am doing thee right exercises. I got the exercises from his books. I bought 2 or 3 of his voice books. His professional fee is expensive, but if you have the money and you live in the United States, he guarantees a cure if you stay in his clinic for 8 hours a day for 4-6 weeks. I didn't go and opted for the phone therapy because I live in the Philippines and didn't have enough money for the full treatment.
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CONNIE PIKE = I had about 3 Skype therapy sessions with her. She was the first therapist who opened my eyes and gave me hope that even if botox didn't work for me, I can still try to do spasmodic dysphonia voice therapy. Breathing exercises and using the kazoo (pls refer to my previous blog posts). She's a good place to start off with if you want to look at natural ways of treating SD. Her professional fee is more affordable than Dr. Cooper's, although personally I believe Dr. Cooper's treatment is more targeted and effective. Connie's treatment involves more methods such as relaxation therapy and posture. But she is very nice and sweet and if you're in that depressed stage, she would be perfect to contact.
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ROGER LOVE = Nice book and CD to have just to help you break the usual monotone SD patients often develop. Helps you explore and feel comfortable about exploring your voice. I got this book and CD from Connie Pike.
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GARY CATONA = I have no experience with his methods because he replied to my email saying he doesn't treat ABductor SD. He does have a before & after voice recording of a patient he treated with ADductor SD. You can check his website for it.
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ALMA VAJAS = I'm doing her therapy now. For the past 10 months (since Nov. 25, 2011), I've been doing her therapy which is based on the Smolover method. The main thought of this therapy is to strengthen the vocal ligament; hence, controlling the spasms. At first, I didn't want to even try this because I felt it goes against Dr. Cooper's theory of putting the voice up in the "mask" but then I've gotten in touch with other SD patients who did this kind of treatment and it worked for them, so I gave it a try.
Actually, the method was initially designed for opera singers. But there were reports of the technique helping, even treating, SD. So Alma Vajas tweaked it and made it more effective for SD.
I can say for my case, her voice therapy is the most effective and doable. Effective - because I'm about 80% healed. I've gone out on an outing yesterday with a group of friends. And I was able to talk normally. I used to be unable to talk within a group setting. Doable - because it takes 1 hour a day, 6 days a week.
The funny thing about my treatment with Alma Vajas is that I have actually never (not even once) had a therapy with her. I've learned the therapy from two of her patients, a certain Pastor Jim Townsley (who had ADSd) and a Pastor from the US (who had ABSd). So it was more like I had Alma Vajas' therapy - INDIRECTLY. I did try to get in touch with her since August of last year (2011). But it seems she couldn't do therapy long-distance or she's busy. She's in the U.S. I called her and spoke with her daughter about 4x in a span of 2 months. Not counting the emails I sent. And she kept saying they'll get in touch with me once they are able to do Skype therapy. I waited for 3 months but no message came. In my embarrassment to call again (I don't want to be a pest), I resorted to looking for her patients to get their advice and feedback. That's when i got her therapy through the two pastors.
I actually felt slighted and ignored by Alma Vajas! So this is so not an advertisement for her character. But then, I can honestly say her method works. I love love love the Pastor from the US who has been my mentor and friend.
NOTE: Pls don't email him or bother him, he's very busy. I've only mentioned his name here because I want to thank and honor him. If you have queries, pls email me instead. I'll answer what I know.
Just an additional note: Amazingly, 2 days ago, I have received an email from a colleague of Alma Vajas saying that the Skype therapy is already in place and she's asking if I still want to have therapy. It's been 11 months now since I last heard from them! And I'm doing well in my therapy with the Pastor from the US... I'm not sure if I still need to have Alma Vajas' direct therapy! But perhaps I can just try... We'll see..
