Vocal Cord issues and Asthma
I have been a long term asthma sufferer. Lately my nebulizer and rescue inhaler will not get rid of the tightness in my throat/chest. I get episodes mostly at night, but it could flare up at any time.
My allergist (new to the practice and wonderful) suggested that since the steroids did not help, and the fact that my anxiety over husband’s health issues and the death of my sister complicated the issue. I am on Prozac now and feel better mentally but my allergist did a pulmonary function test and showed me that my vocal cords were strained. So off to an ENT doctor, and now I am waiting for their speech therapy doctor’s appointment.
I went on YouTube and have Been doing the breathing exercises and they are helping somewhat, but now I have either a cold or allergies and asthma flare up is bad.
Any suggestions? Anyone have a vocal cords issue with their asthma, I am at wits end and losing much sleep.
Hi. I'm sorry you're going through this, it's a tough situation to be in and from what I've seen, diagnosis is tricky. It sounds like your health care providers are on the right track though, so fingers crossed you can get to the bottom of this soon.
Vocal cord dysfunction can happen alongside asthma or be mistaken for it, as can acid reflux issues if you haven't explored that. Here's an article about vocal cord issues:
https://asthma.net/living/vocal-cord-dysfunction
Does this seem like what you're experiencing? Keep us posted, we're here for you. -Melissa, team memberYes! Of course I got a cold and the phlegm is still here. I was so bad last night I slept very little. My allergy Dr gave me short term steroids but need to call Monday. If they don’t help me breathe better It will be definitely VCD. Unfortunately my appointment with VCD specialist is 2 weeks away. Thank you!
Hi there, I hope that you find relief! Best of luck at your appointment, please keep us in the loop as to how you make out. -Lauren (Team member) Hope you're feeling better now and that the steroids helped! Good luck with the specialist. -Melissa, team member
