What Is Spasmodic Dysphonia?
Spasmodic Dysphonia(SD) is a neurological disorder where muscles of the larynx involuntarily spasm, interfering with the voice. It is a non-life-threatening disorder which causes a weak or stuttering voice and making communication difficult. Spasmodic Dysphonia has no cure, but several treatments are available to reduce symptoms.
Botox® Treatment For Spasmodic Dysphonia
- Botox® treatment is one of the most effective treatments available for Spasmodic Dysphonia (SD)
- Botulinum toxin(Botox®) has been used to treat thousands of people with Spasmodic Dysphonia since 1984.
- Botox® is a nerve blocker injected locally into target muscles to reduce responsiveness to activation signals, reducing the number and severity of spasms.
Easy Treatment
Botox® treatment is an outpatient procedure, with patients typically in-and-out of the office within an hour. Botox® treatment is not a cure, but it is effective for about three months between visits. The injection itself is done under local anesthetic and only takes a few minutes.Quick Results
In most cases, our simple procedure can reduce or eliminate symptoms of Spasmodic Dysphonia, including breaks in speech. Just a few days after treatment, most patients experience a reduction in, or even elimination of, breaks in speech caused by Spasmodic Dysphonia.
Insurance Coverage
Your treatment could come at little to no out-of-pocket cost to you. Our treatment is covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare. We work with a variety of insurers to make sure that we can provide the best care to those suffering from Spasmodic Dysphonia, no matter their financial situation.
Why Bastian Voice Institute?
We provide the highest quality medical, surgical, and behavioral care and consideration for persons with voice, swallowing, and airway disorders. Our primary concern is patient care, supported by ongoing educational activities and research projects.
- Bastian Voice clinicians have been providing Botox® to treat Spasmodic Dysphonia for 27 years.
- Dr Bastian helped to pioneer the use of Botox® as a treatment for Spasmodic Dysphonia by being one of the first doctors to use the procedure.
- Dr. Bastian has treated over 1,500 patients with Spasmodic Dysphonia, one of the top Botox® providers for SD patients from across the United States.
Our Friendly Staff
Our highly trained front desk assures the patient during the scheduling process that once their diagnosis is confirmed during their initial consultation, treatment may be administered on the same day if desired. This is especially helpful for patients who are anxious about injections or for those who travel a distance for their appointment.
If the triage assistant notices while seating the patient that the patient is anxious about the diagnosis or treatment, they excel in being able to calm the patient by explaining the process the physicians use in administering the injection and calming their fears of the unknown.
After the first injection, we find most patients are less fearful and know what to expect during preceding appointments.
What to Expect After Your First Botox Injection
The Initial Wait
For a day or two your voice will usually be unchanged. Approximately 24 to 72 hours later you should find that the spasms are diminishing and that your voice is steadier.
The "My Voice Is Better But Short Of Breath Or Weak" Phase
This phase may last from a few days up to many weeks. During this phase, you should experience a better voice, even though some some spasms remain. If you are have shortness of breath, you may experience involuntary vocal sounds when you breathe in suddenly. If you are experiencing weakness of voice, you may have a hard time being heard in noisy environments.
The "Spasms Are Increasing" Phase
Typically, during the second to fourth month after your injection you may find that your voice is again worsening. When you notice this happening, you may not need another injection immediately, because you may still have many weeks of reasonable vocal function. As spasms become more noticeable, you should consult your calendar and arrange another injection appointment.
Want to learn More about SD?
Visit Dr. Bastian’s Personal Teaching website and YouTube channel, Laryngopedia