Here are the responses to the Spasmodic Dysphonia email I sent out Sunday
night. Thanks for all of the responses.

In my research I found an article about a procedure performed at UCLA
that severed the nerve that causes the spasms and reconnects to a
properly functioning nerve. Has anyone heard of this procedure and its
success rate with singers?

Yes, I did make contact with the Choral director that is married to an
ENT. Thanks to her for responding as well.

Roy Benson

1.
I live in Chicago and there is a wonderful clinic (here)....Bastian
Vocal Institute. Dr. Bastian specializes in vocal disorders, and the
therapist he
has on staff is amazing. On the website it has a broadcast of an
interview
with Dr. Bastian (one of the topics is spasmodic dysphonia). Dr.
Bastian
has helped a few of my private voice students, and I know he is far
away,
but perhaps may serve as a resource for you.

Emily Floyd
Crystal Lake, IL

2.
I had a fellow singer suffer from the same problem. She too endured
Botox injections. In between injections she had a window of a few
weeks when she could sing in a manner approaching normal. It was
tragic as she was a highly accomplished musician who could
"sight-read the notes off the wall" and had grown up in a family in
which music was a huge, loving, enriching part. If you like, I'll
see if she would be willing to talk to your singer. I don't know
whether her news would be encouraging or depressing, but just talking
with someone who's "been there" might lighten the load for your
friend.

--Ginny

3.
Dear Roy,

From a quick Google I found:

What are the features of spasmodic dysphonia?
In adductor spasmodic dysphonia, sudden involuntary muscle movements or
spasms cause the vocal folds (or vocal cords) to slam together and
stiffen.
These spasms make it difficult for the vocal folds to vibrate and
produce
voice. Words are often cut off or difficult to start because of the
muscle
spasms. Therefore, speech may be choppy and sound similar to stuttering.
The
voice of an individual with adductor spasmodic dysphonia is commonly
described as strained or strangled and full of effort. Surprisingly, the
spasms are usually absent while whispering, laughing, singing, speaking
at a high pitch or speaking while breathing in. Stress, however, often
makes the muscle spasms more severe.

Perhaps singing is not totally out of the picture. Has she tried
Googling
on-line for information and resources?

Best wishes,

Maryanne Rumancik

4.
Mr. Benson,
In case he doesn't see this (although he's on this mailing listserv so
I'm
hoping he will!), try to contact Leon Thurman. He is kind of
our "resident
specialist" on vocal rehabilitation and where/how to locate good doctors
who
work with professional singers on restoring their voices after
physiological
problems have set in. He is the "go-to-" guy in these instances – he
would
definitely be my very first recourse in such a situation!

Contact info:
http://www.vasta.org/professional_index/thurmanl.html

I'm sure Mr. Thurman will be able to help steer you to the appropriate
doctor.

I'll say a prayer for your singer.

In Christ's service,
Cherwyn

5.
Hi Roy!
 
My hubby actually did a fellowship at Vandy--in otology--but I've met
Ossiff (sp?) and he has come up to Chicago to speak to the local ENT
organization and I've seen him there as well.  The Botox is standard and
when it was first being used to for wrinkle relief, I was confused since
I've known about the vocal fold use since the 80s!
 
Anyway, am forwarding your post to hubby and we'll see what he says.  I
think sending her to Ossiff is right on the money and the absolute
correct thing to do.  If she can be helped, he is the right person to do
so.
 
Marie

6.
The man who wrote the book on voice use - literally wrote the book - is

Dr. Joseph Sataloff in Philadelphia. Julie Andrews was seen in his
office.....AFTER her surgery, as was just about every other professional
voice user you can think of. They have a voice team that coaches you
through getting back to normal, and they work closely with the patient
and doctor to make sure you are doing the right things.
Although I see a different doctor in this office, this is the only office
I would go to.

Their number is 215-545-3322

Joy Hirokawa

7.
Try voice therapy. I've had dysphonia resulting from tonsillectomy
recovery
and my cords are approximating better, I'm louder and have gained range,
in
just 5 weeks. The specific treatment they gave me is Lee Silverman voice
treatment, and it has been used successfully with Parkinson's patients
who
lose vocal functioning. -Isabel


Once again thanks to all.

Roy

Roy Benson
choirstuff(a)sbcglobal.net