Searching for cause of Vocal Cord Paralysis After Benzo Use

[[ph...]]

Hi,

I've just tapered off of Lorazepam which I have been on since 2007. I started on .5mg for anxiety and by June 2016 I was taking sometimes 4 mg/day. On top of that, my general practice doctor started me on Clonazepam four years ago because I was having debilitating night seizures and I developed spasmodic dysphonia. My voice became progressively worse requiring me to use a microphone and amplifier in my lab/classroom where I teach middle school math-science teacher. After numerous Botox injections in my vocal cords, and a injection laryngoplasty with no success, I began to wonder if the Lorazepam and Clonazepam were causing the voice problems.  I worked hard all summer withdrawing from Lorazepam and felt much better since discontinuing the medication. However, I still have vocal cord atrophy, but fewer night seizures. Now, I'm slowing cutting back the Clonazapam. I have been taking 4 mg since September and I am now down to 1 mg split/day. I've been experiencing severe cervical and

laryngospasms. I still have to push to make any voice.  Has anyone on this forum had vocal cord atrophy due to Benzo use?  Thank you in advance for taking the time to respond. Phoenixbird.

[[Ch...]]

Welcome to BenzoBuddies, phoenix bird.

 

Benzodiazepines are powerful muscle relaxers, I'm not sure what effect they would have on vocal cords, however.  Here are some links that you can post to the wider membership for their possible experiences with vocal cord changes:

 

For taper support: General Taper Plans 

To discuss symptoms: Withdrawal Support 

 

When you have a chance, I highly recommend that you take a look at The Ashton Manual, which is an authoritative source on what to expect during withdrawal and recovery, authored by Dr. C. Heather Ashton, who is an expert in the field. It provides a great deal of information that can be very reassuring during any stage of this process, including a list of common symptoms with helpful explanations on the reasons for their existence.

 

Please take some time to Create a Signature. This will help other members understand your history so they will be better able to support you.

Go to the top of the page and select Profile, then choose Forum Profile, insert drug history/timelines into the text box and click Change Profile.

 

Take care,

Challis 

[[be...]]

Hi Phoenixbird,

 

I couldn't help but notice your post.  Vocal cord paralysis is not one of my symptoms, but I do recall BB's talking here and there about having problems singing, hitting notes they used to etc. and things improving as they healed.  Try putting "vocal cord" in the search box- it comes up with quite a few BB's talking about their vocal cords and dysfunction.  I tried pasting the link directly here, but it just goes back  to the search box, so you'll have to try searching it yourself.  All and any muscles can be affected in this, so I am sure it's a symptom.

 

Hope this helps.