Vocal Cord Dysfunction

[PACMAN]

Hi All,
First post on the Forum, been fellrunning for the last 13 years. It is proving to be an unlucky 13. Cutting a very long story short - I have recently been diagnosed as having Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) on top of my asthma after having one of those small flexible cameras up my nose and down my throat, not a pleasent experience. It is where on occasions the vocal cords do not open completely when breathing in or out, so causing a reduction in oxygen uptake. VCD seems to have numerous triggers and can be exercise induced like asthma. VCD is known as an asthma mimic and hence is often is misdiagnosed asthma. Most of the medical profession in the UK are not aware of VCD, luckily I eventully saw a chest consultant who suspected VCD from my symptoms. The main treatment appears to be speech therapy and try to reduce the triggers were possible.
Is there someone else out there who knows they have VCD and still fellrun/run. Got a follow-up appointment next week
regards
PACMAN

[S1eepless]

is it something my wife can catch when she is on my case? I am starting to suffer from WND (wife nagging disfunction) I go deaf when she starts. Most doctors are aware of this - especially married male doctors.

[NotIntaFells]

Part of marriage that one I'm afraid!

[jackie]

I see it quite commonly in overweight elderly labrador dogs - they can't run very well, but then they're overweight elderly labradors anyway. Probably doesn't help you much

[Ben B]

Hi Pacman

Hope all is well. There's a lot of VCD around when you look for it...

Wythenshawe Hospital (Manchester) has a big asthma unit and some excellent speech therapists who are experts in VCD, you may be able to get a referral there from your GP.

Good luck

Ben B

[PACMAN]

Not doing too bad just trying to slow increase my hill fitness. I had a number of appointments with a speech therapist who specialised in VCD who was attached to the chest clinic at the Royal Preston Hosp. This involved learning numerous throat, neck and jaw exercises plus also taught how to breath from the stomach to help control any VCD attacks. Also was told that I did not have asthma and have been off all the meds for 4 months now. Certain cold viruses seem to trigger my VCD, so when I notice the signs have to ease off for a while which makes the training load very variable from week to week. Hopefully with more consistent training should be reasonably fit for Saunders.

[Ben B]

Good stuff - nice to get off all the drugs too, well done.

Have fun at the Saunders - might see you there if my knee settles

Cheers

Ben

[PACMAN]

All going well, VCD seems well under control. One of my main triggers is diffo certain cold viruses. No colds for a few months, so VCD not triggering completely. Also decided to stop all other meds like nasal inhalers, antihistmines since April that doctor had be on for years and feel tonnes better. Also playing around with my diet since I am sure some foods make the throat more twitchy. One thing I am trying at the moment is reducing my intake of acid foods.