VOCAL CORD PARALYSIS

[Guest guest]

HI GRETCHEN,

I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH BI LATERAL VOCAL CORD PARALYSIS

AT ST THOMAS' HOSPITAL IN LONDON. THIS OBVIOUSLY EXPLAINS THE

PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING WITH MY BREATHING. ONE OF THE

DOCOTRS EXPLAINED THAT THE VOCAL CORDS ARE NOT MOVING WHEN I INHALE

AND AS THEY ARE IN THE MID LINE POSITION IT IS MAKING IT EXTREMELY

DIFFICULT TO BREATHE IN, HENCE THE NOISY BREATHING. HE EXPLAINED

THEY COULD CUT PART OF THE CORDS BUT THIS WOULD AFFECT MY

VOICE/SWALLOWING AND COULD RESULT IN CHOKING AND EVENTUALLY A

TRACHEOCTOMY. OBVIOUSLY I WAS VERY UPSET AND DIDN'T THINK TO ASK

MANY QUESTIONS.

DO YOU KNOW OF ANY MEMBERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS SURGERY AND IF SO HOW

IT AFFECTED THEIR VOICE? I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO BREATHE EASIER

BUT AT WHAT COST?

DO YOU KNOW IF YOU CAN BE BORN WITH THIS PROBLEM AS I HAVE HAD

DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING SINCE I WAS VERY YOUNG, I HAVE BEEN TREATED

FOR ASTHMA BUT THAT HAS RECENTLY BEEN RULED OUT. (NO WONDER THE

INHALERS NEVER WORKED!)

THANKYOU,

KAREN