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To: "VOCALIST" <vocalist>
Subject: Re: esophageal spasms
Date sent: Fri, 31 Dec 1999 09:45:16 -0500
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>


----- Original Message -----
From: Jennifer L. Fretwell

> > Cricopharyngeus spasm is fairly common. While the cricopharyngeus is
not
> > involved in phonation, one often has the vocal muscles affected with
spasm
> > at the same time. This is probably a psychophysiologic problem, with
> > anxiety as the root cause. Traditionally we have treated this with
> > antianxiety drugs and/or serotonin type antidepressants often in
association
> > with relaxation training and speech therapy
> >
>
> I am wondering, Dr. Messmer, if my throat pain of the past 18 months could
> be a cricopharyngeus spasm. Does this type of spasm usually produce pain
> when speaking and swallowing along with quick fatigue of both the singing
> and speaking voice?

There can be a dysphonia associated with it. The "pain" is not usually
severe, and is more of a pressure or squeezing, rather than pain as with a
throat infection. It is better to have an exam to determine, however. An
ENT can often determine how much is pharyngeal and how much laryngeal.

John

John Messmer, MD, Assistant Professor, Family & Community Medicine
Medical Director, Penn State Geisinger Health Group, Palmyra, PA

"Try not. Do or do not; there is no 'try'." -- Yoda