Hey Jill, I just turned 36 in late February, & I remember developing irregularities in about the 4th grade. It started out w/ certain sounds or words- like one of the first things I noticed was having a hard time saying the word here during attendance, my voice wanted to crack . So, I started saying I'm here because the I sound was easier. I learned how to cover it up as I developed more dificulties. I would be interested to know how many of the younger people w/SD have other focal dystonias. I have several, including writer's cramp(which also started in elementary school), & oromandibular which affects my tounge-nothing weird, I look totally normal, but I have trouble forming words & then my vocal cords have trouble sustaining the correct sound. My speech problem is a combination. You are lucky that botox works for you. I tried it twice & the result was O.K., but definitely not a miracle. Plus my insurance was charging me $500+ per treatment, so it just wasn't worth the downtime & expense. I actually just met with a Dr. about having the reinnervation surgery on my vocal cords, so wish me luck!!!! Sorry this was so long(& hopefully not scarry).
Sheila.
