Posted by Captin Cannuck on August 10, 2008 at 08:33:52:In Reply to: Nasal Sounding Voice after MMA posted by schr0381 on August 08, 2008 at 10:27:24:
Yes, I know of a case. If you search for the poster known as "GREMLIN", I believe that you will see that he had a similar problem after his MMA. You can see this around Forum #17.
I found one of the postings that he made where he explained his situation. It might be of interest to you. What follows is what he said:
Ruined voice post MMA
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Posted by Gremlin on May 02, 2005 at 02:34:33:
Hi all. I have posted on this before in 2001 and figured Id update my plot. I had moderate OSA and in 1992 had LAUP. It gave no help in snoring, nor did it harm my voice. I was supposed to go back for more-thank god i didnt.
After suffering more years, I finally got an MMA. Immediately I noticed my voice was higher and nasally. The Dr said it was impossible to have a voice change, that the voice comes from the lower throat. Thats just symantics-I knew I was getting lied to. Anyway, a year went by and I lost the ability to cover up the nasality at all. I then adopted what speech therapist call "adaptive speech" or compensatory speech. When I am too hoarse to utilise this compensatory speech, I sound just like a cleft palate person! Theres no need for me to elaborate on how it has affected my life for this post would get negative fast! I went to Dallas to the International Craniofacial Institute and was diagnosed with VPI -velopharyngeal incompetence, thus severe hypernasality. That is the valve in the throat that divides and interrupts airflow to form words. In my case, it does not seal and all the tones/air go thru my nose. This is most likely from the MMA causing increased distance mixed with possible scarring of the pharyngeal velum and or palate during the LAUP. But that said, no one wants to say exactly what is happening.
So far, any operation for the voice will further reduce my 5mm airway, so Im at a catch 22 dillema. The operation is called a pharyngeqal flap, and it ties the palate to the back of the throat. The Drs have wanted to do a tongue surgery of some sort with it , and Ive held off for 2 years. (Im very skiddish now). That waiting may have been a good thing,as I just talked to ANOTHER Dr in Dallas that has seen this rare voice problem happen. Without yet seeing me, He believes that the palatal lining is scarred, and his treatment would be a tissue release and buildup of the palate. This , combined with some sort of tongue surgery for the osa. I am hopeful, as this seems to fix the problem "head on" instead of crutching it with another type operation that can make apnea worse.
I have also posted on here about how I cant seem to get a good deep breath or yawn. This , Im afraid will always be a mystery. And I think it is tied in with my bad sleep. Two Post MMA sleep studies show continued apnea, I only reach stage-2 sleep. Im afraid the "No deep breath or yawn" syndrome is something that will always exist, and that Ill never have good sleep. Anyway, I just want my voice back. Id like to hear from anyone with voice problems/any related info. I still have a small airway, and most Drs believe it is shutting off at the tongue base (lower airway). What OSA surgery would you guys recommend?
Thanks
Follow Ups:
Re: Ruined voice post MMA seattlebill 11:04 5/02/05 (0)
Re: Ruined voice post MMA westernjoe 07:30 5/02/05 (5)
Re: Ruined voice post MMA Gremlin 17:47 5/02/05 (4)
Re: Ruined voice post MMA westernjoe 07:23 5/03/05 (3)
Re: Ruined voice post MMA Gremlin 20:14 5/03/05 (2)
Re: Ruined voice post MMA seattlebill 06:49 5/04/05 (1)
Re: Ruined voice post MMA Gremlin 13:13 5/04/05 (0)
- Re: Nasal Sounding Voice after MMA Gremlin 18:23 8/11/08 (1)
- Re: Nasal Sounding Voice after MMA schr0381 12:48 8/12/08 (0)