VCD

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The first time that she fell to the field gasping for breath during a game was scary. The second time, I wasn't there, so it bothered me in a less visceral way. After all, what you can't see isn't nearly as off putting as what is right in your face. It scared her, though, and when we went for her checkup with the allergist, I discussed it. We both thought it was asthma - she had difficulty breathing, and when I gave her the albuterol it seemed to help. But the allergist had a different thought.

VCD. Vocal Chord Dysfunction. Go to Occupational Therapy, meet with a Speech Pathologist, teach the kid to breathe.

HUH?

Skeptically, I made an appointment, feeling as if all I ever do is take these kids to the doctor. Between checkups times six kids, allergist appointments for all, eye doctors, dentists, orthodontists,occupational therapists, it seems as if my calendar is full of doctor visits.

When we arrived, the speech pathologist took my daughter through a list of breathing exercises, having her hold specific noises (AAAAA) (OOOOOOOOOO) (EEEEEEEEEE) for as long as possible. Then she went on the treadmill.

 

She ran for a while on a low pace, and slowly it was dialed up, until she felt like she was running at the highest level she could handle. It was a 10. She was told to sustain it as long as possible - which she did for more than 3 minutes.

My girl can run.

So, it was determined that she does, indeed, have VCD. She has to relearn to breathe, both while exercising and while at rest. It kind of seems weird to me - she obviously CAN breath, she DOES breath, but it's been explained to me that she breathes inefficiently and it causes her vocal chords to spasm, which leads to a panic state, which causes her to clutch - and it becomes a vicious cycle. 

She does breathing exercises while laying down, standing up and sitting. She practices breathing with her diaphragm and makes all kinds of crazy noises. I hope it helps.

Interestingly enough, when the pathologist gave me the profile of a typical VCD candidate, I cracked up. High energy, high achiever, very intense, goal oriented, never wants to take a break or leave the field. 

So, VCD. Am I the only person who has never heard of it?

Comments

[amie]

Wow- that IS very interesting. Never heard of it but I sure hope it helps your girl.

[Nicole]

I'm glad she's on the way to getting this fixed! I'm always way more stressed when I don't know what something is.

[Megan]

I'd never heard of it either, but I'm glad that you've got a diagnosis and she's learning how to deal with it. Hopefully this means no more collapses on the soccer field.

[Elizabeth]

I've not heard of VCD but a friend's daughter has Dysphonia (spelling?) which is similar. She would be moving her mouth thinking she was talking but no sound would come out. Has to do with breathing & vocal cords too.

[Katherine]

Never heard of it! If I recognize the pix correctly, she couldn't get better care anywhere else :) That is fascinating... so the asthma meds open her up? Sounds like my middle son - he has reactive airway - if he gets a cold, his vocal chords and airway start to spasm, causing an attack and needed a nebulizer treatment - however it isn't "asthma." So glad they were able to figure this out!

[Nicki]

Interesting. Hey, at least you know what the problem is and can treat it, right? Even better, it isn't a worsening asthma problem.

[Brandy]

I've never heard of VCD. But, I'm glad to know that your Daughter is receiving treatment.

[Tish]

Never heard of it. It's good the allergist caught it, because, maybe knowing the issue, your daughter won't panic, but rather put into play the techniques she's learning. Good luck!

[Shelly]

Never heard of it at all! So glad you found it out and are getting help.

[FishyGirl]

I've never heard of it, but there's a good possibility I have it and never knew it, because I became a musician - I was taught to breathe properly both in clarinet class and in chorus. It just sounds too familiar. Also my older daughter has been diagnosed with asthma, but this sounds more like what she does. Off to research more!

Glad your daughter is getting the help she needs for this.

[A Simple Twist of Faith]

VCD? I have never heard of it, but I am glad to hear she is receiving treatment.

[Liz]

The creator of Dilbert, Scott Adams, suffers from a form of this when he tries to give speeches. He is able to speak normally when it's one-on-one, but he was having issues when he had to do public speaking. He posted information about his rehab process a couple of years back on his blog.