I saw my EMT doc yesterday. She is of the opinion that my post nasal drip is inflaming the bottom portion of my vocal cords and could be the reason they are shutting down during swimming. She has never treated this condition but gave me medication to dry up the post nasal drip. Mean time. I found a pool side breathing exercise from "Coach Shev Gul" that seems to be working in that I have more than doubled my pull laps with out stopping and gasping for air. Check out this article "Diaphragmatic Breathing Technique Practice for Improved Swimming Performance". Again, any one out there with the same problem? I still can not do more than 75 yrds but am improving.
Former Member
Wow, what timing. Came across this post on a search.
My daughter was diagnosed three weeks ago with the same thing, VCD. Two different nasal sprays, acid reflux med, and inhaler( just in case there was some asthma going on). No relief for her either. Still lots of mucus, cannot hold her breath, and coughing during practice. It is really impacting her swimming. Doc said she was a classic case with the nasal drip contributing to the reflux. Happens on pool deck, less frequently at home.
Hope you find relief. We will be keeping an eye on your post.
Good ocean swim today. Made almost 500 yards without stopping and gasping for air. Still wheezing but better. Pool swim still sucks. I guess the chlorine is more of a VCD trigger then thought. I saw my ENT today and she wants me to continue the nasal sprays and anti reflex meds for who knows how long. Again, any one out there with a similar problem?
I merged six separate threads on this topic into this one thread. Please continue to use this single thread for this topic, rather than starting new threads. Your thread will be "bumped" up to the top of the list any time something new is posted within the thread. :bump:
I'm now into the 5th month of nose sprays and Prevacid for my Paradoxical Vocal Cord Disorder which prevents me from swimming more than 100 meters with out stopping and gasping/wheezing. I can still do pulls and kicks without problem. I seem to be able to do almost 200 yards in my ocean swims but still have to stop. Again, anyone out there who can help?
I'm stopping the nose sprays because its not working and it seems to irritate the vocal cords.
Ed,
Have you had anyone, such as a swim coach or a fellow Masters swimmer, watch you swim? I wonder whether you're doing something with your stroke (such as breathing too early, breathing too late, etc.) that is causing part of the problem.
Anna Lea
Some progress yesterday. The ENT who is also a former Master Swimmer has contacted UCLA head of otolaryngology and he has agreed to a consult. Hope he has a "magic" bullet. Still can not swim more than 100 yards with out stopping and gasping for air. I'm now taking 2 Previceds a day and have stopped the nose sprays.
