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Recently diagnosed with respiratory stridor
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marciainak posted:
I have recently been diagnosed with respiratory stridor and would like more information. Evidently I have a narrow tube (for lack of the formal term) and wheeze when I am breathing. Previous doctors assumed it was merely asthma and although I do have exercise induced asthma, the stridor is a different problem altogether. I had a thyroidectomy in 1984 and my vocal chords were stretched to remove my thyroid. The vocal chords on the left side are paralyzed. When scoped, everything looked great. Just no movement of the vocal chords on one side. The ENT informed me that unless I develop problems swallowing or have more difficulty breathing that there is no need to treat my situation. I have been unable to find any information on stridor to help me understand this condition. Thank you.
2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Recently diagnosed with respiratory stridorI have recently been diagnosed with respiratory stridor and would like more information. Evidently I have a narrow tube (for lack of the formal term) and wheeze when I am breathing. Previous doctors assumed it was merely asthma and although I do have exercise induced asthma, the stridor is a different problem altogether. I had a thyroidectomy in 1984 and my vocal chords were stretched to remove my thyroid. The vocal chords on the left side are paralyzed. When scoped, everything looked great. Just no movement of the vocal chords on one side. The ENT informed me that unless I develop problems swallowing or have more difficulty breathing that there is no need to treat my situation. I have been unable to find any information on stridor to help me understand this condition. Thank you.
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Rod Moser, PA, PhD responded:
Stridor is a symptom, not a disease. This term is usually used in children with narrowed airways from a variety of anatomical or structural problems or an airway compromise due to disease / condition.

Here is a nice site from one of WebMD's meddical sites...eMedicine. Although the language is more medical, I think you find it helpful.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/995267-overview

The ENT apparently did not feel this symptom was medically significant, based on your history, and the fact that you are assymptomatci.
Report This| Share this:Recently diagnosed with respiratory stridorStridor is a symptom, not a disease. This term is usually used in children with narrowed airways from a variety of anatomical or structural problems or an airway compromise due to disease / condition. <br /> <br />Here is a nice site from one of WebMD's meddical sites...eMedicine. Although the language is more medical, I think you find it helpful.<br /> <br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/995267-overview">http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/995267-overview</a> <br /> <br />The ENT apparently did not feel this symptom was medically significant, based on your history, and the fact that you are assymptomatci.
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marciainak replied to Rod Moser, PA, PhD's response:
Thank you for the information. Evidently I developed stridor following my thyroidectomy which paralyzed the left vocal chords. My wheezing is worse dependent upon my allergies, asthma, or other medical conditions. My GP has been concerned about my breathing and this explains why.

The ENT scoped my throat and informed me that I had no polyps, growths or other problems. The pictures showed pink healthy tissue. He did not recommend any further testing or need for surgery unless my breathing became more difficult or if I had trouble swallowing.
Report This| Share this:Recently diagnosed with respiratory stridorThank you for the information. Evidently I developed stridor following my thyroidectomy which paralyzed the left vocal chords. My wheezing is worse dependent upon my allergies, asthma, or other medical conditions. My GP has been concerned about my breathing and this explains why.<br /><br />The ENT scoped my throat and informed me that I had no polyps, growths or other problems. The pictures showed pink healthy tissue. He did not recommend any further testing or need for surgery unless my breathing became more difficult or if I had trouble swallowing.
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