My voice is gone!

[Sparkalicious]

Hi everyone!

I would appreciate your advice ...

Background info
In March, I was sick with an upper respiratory infection and sinusitis. I was prescribed antibiotics and after about a week to 10 days or so, I felt better as some of the symptoms subsided but I was still feeling quite ill and coughing quite a bit. I went back to the doctor and they advised that my sinus pain/pressure & cough were a direct result of seasonal allergies as my lungs were now completely clear. I was told to buy some allergy pills and I should be better. I did and much, much to my surprise I felt 500x better. No more sinus pain/pressure & headaches and the general malaise was gone. I was still coughing but not as much. I wasn''t too worried about it b/c after being sick for a while like this, it usually takes a little longer for the coughing to go away completely ...

Fast forward
Last weekend, at least 2 or 3 weeks, if not a month, after being sick, my voice starts to crackle and fade in and out. I had been experiencing a sore - ish type throat on some days but just attributed that to not drinking enough water b/c it never lasted and wasn''t really painful so I thought that this voice stuff might have to do with the throat issues. Anyways, by the end of last weekend, I had completely lost my voice.

It is now Thursday and my voice still has not completely come back yet.

I can whisper but I have been trying not to talk .. at all .. given that I don''t want to further stress out my vocal cords. I''ve been drinking tea w/ lemon and honey and only warm beverages. My throat has not been at all sore and I am not having any other symptoms. I feel great apart from not having a voice.

When I walked into work on Monday with no voice, a co-worker so kindly suggested that I might have throat cancer

... Anyways, on a more positive or optimistic note, I am thinking that maybe my vocal cords have just had it with the coughing and throat clearing resultant from my March illness and are just taking the time they need to recover. This being said, given that it''s almost been a week with no voice now, I am getting a little concerned.

Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions as to what might be wrong and if I should be worried? Anyone else experience anything similar?

... wanted to mention that my voice kind of came back for a short time last night and I talked kind of normally, raspy but not a full whisper, like I have been ... but it is gone again today.

Thanks for reading and sharing any info/experiences you might have.

 

[LittleRock]

this is what came up when I googled laryngitis; Sorry I can''t be of more help, call your doctor! I say that in a firm-motherly-tone. Hope your on the mend soon.


Laryngitis;

When acute laryngitis is caused by a virus, it usually goes away in a few days without medicine. Laryngitis caused by bacteria should also be better in a few days with treatment.

If you have chronic laryngitis, your condition should improve with a week of resting your voice. If your hoarseness lasts more than 3 weeks, see your health care provider. You may need more tests to check for other diseases.

 

[Sparkalicious]

Thanks LittleRock ... I appreciate the motherly tone, especially since I''ve been avoiding the doctor like the plague.

Ironic, since the plague may be what''s causing my laryngitis.

Like you, I checked online for some info and found the same stuff so I wasn''t too worried since it is still just under a week ... However, on a more interesting and disturbing note, I also found that my voice my be gone because of I apparently reject authority and suffer from a simmering rage relating to issues that I have yet to articulate??! I found this really amusing. I keep trying to remind my vocal cords that I''m not angry and don''t mind legitimate authority, I don''t think, but my voice still hasn''t come back ... go figure!

Thanks so much for trying to help ... I appreciate it!

 

[Skippy123]

Oh gosh, I hope you feel better soon. See your doctor; also drink warm tea w/ a little honey. Take care.

 

[Sparkalicious]

Thanks Skip! Otherwise, I''m feeling fine ... that''s my concern. Usually if you lose your voice, in my experience, you have other symptoms ... a sore throat, a cold etc, etc ... I don''t have anything ... just no voice.

Will still keep drinking the tea and honey and other warm stuff.

 

[AmberWaves]

Poor Sparks... I had the same thing happen to me for years, just randomly lost my voice for days/weeks. It was usually around Springtime, and one day it would cut in/out and then the next day- NADA. SO frustrating, as there was no sore throat to warn me, nor was there any aches or pains. So I''d try to talk, and forget I couldn''t After awhile the strain would start to hurt, though. My only advice is to see a doctor, rest your throat (I believe whispering strains it more than actually talking?) and just keep that infusion of lemon and honey! Mine goes away by itself every time, though, but the length of time differs.

Good luck!

 

[Sparkalicious]

Interesting, Amberwaves. Thanks so much for sharing!

Have you ever been to a doctor to find out what''s going on?

 

[LittleRock]

Date: 5/1/2008 5:18:53 PM
Author: Sparkalicious
Thanks LittleRock ... I appreciate the motherly tone, especially since I''ve been avoiding the doctor like the plague.

Ironic, since the plague may be what''s causing my laryngitis.

Like you, I checked online for some info and found the same stuff so I wasn''t too worried since it is still just under a week ... However, on a more interesting and disturbing note, I also found that my voice my be gone because of I apparently reject authority and suffer from a simmering rage relating to issues that I have yet to articulate??! I found this really amusing. I keep trying to remind my vocal cords that I''m not angry and don''t mind legitimate authority, I don''t think, but my voice still hasn''t come back ... go figure!

Thanks so much for trying to help ... I appreciate it!

It''s funny what you find on the internet . I just discovered I have something called an osteoma on my skull. From what I''ve read it''s a benign tumor....but there''s always the what if factor????? And no thanks to your co-worker either, spouting out whatever came to mind.....geez!

Keep us posted. Is it possible to try to get in with an ear/nose/throat specialist? Perhaps you have the kind of vocal trauma that some singers get and have to cancel tours for? Don''t ask where my mind goes......it just wanders

 

[justjulia]

As a Speech Pathologist, I highly recommend making an appt with an Ear Nose and Throat dr who will put a gentle, small camera down your throat. Some simple things need to be ruled out, like polyps or nodules. Also, your sinuses might be a culprit. NO WHISPERING (this stresses the folds out worse). Think of it like car maintenance--just make the appointment and go see what is going on down there.

Write notes when you can and gesture. I know this is super frustrating! The main thing is to get the etiology (cause) figured out.

Hug hug.

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 5/1/2008 6:56:24 PM
Author: LittleRock
It''s funny what you find on the internet . I just discovered I have something called an osteoma on my skull. From what I''ve read it''s a benign tumor....but there''s always the what if factor????? And no thanks to your co-worker either, spouting out whatever came to mind.....geez!

Keep us posted. Is it possible to try to get in with an ear/nose/throat specialist? Perhaps you have the kind of vocal trauma that some singers get and have to cancel tours for? Don''t ask where my mind goes......it just wanders

Little Rock - I hear you about the wandering mind ... Believe me, I do it too!
Wow ... that osteoma sounds scary. Have you seen a doctor about it yet?

I will keep you posted. When I came home I opened my mouth to see if I could see back there b/c someone told me that tonsils could grow back and I was checking to see if my beasts had grown back in but ... they haven''t

, however, it does look rather red back there .... maybe an infection of some sort ... but I have no pain. Weird. I''m thinking about paying the ENT a visit ... good idea. Thanks!

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 5/1/2008 7:24:54 PM
Author: justjulia
As a Speech Pathologist, I highly recommend making an appt with an Ear Nose and Throat dr who will put a gentle, small camera down your throat. Some simple things need to be ruled out, like polyps or nodules. Also, your sinuses might be a culprit. NO WHISPERING (this stresses the folds out worse). Think of it like car maintenance--just make the appointment and go see what is going on down there.

Write notes when you can and gesture. I know this is super frustrating! The main thing is to get the etiology (cause) figured out.

Hug hug.

Justjulia - Thanks for chiming in! I appreciate it.
Do you think that I need to go and see a specialist so soon ... It''s not even been a week yet. The reason I ask is b/c I feel like I am a raging hypochondriac and don''t want to be too hasty. I''m kind of nervous but understand that this type of thing isn''t usually life threatening etc. Trying to calm myself down by slowing down, right?

Thanks for the tip about whispering though. I will stop trying to accommodate others by speaking. People should "get" that I can''t talk right now and try and help me out. Notes & bigger and better gesticulation, it is!

Thanks again ... especially for the hugs!

 

[coatimundi_org]

Sorry your voice is gone Spark! I don't have advice beyond getting good rest and drinking tea with honey. When my throat is scratchy I eat a teaspoon of honey, and it helps. Honey is a humectant and is antibacterial. I use it for many odd ailments.

Hope you get your voice back soon!
Hugs to Spark!

 

[LittleRock]

Date: 5/1/2008 10:27:21 PM
Author: Sparkalicious

Date: 5/1/2008 6:56:24 PM

Author: LittleRock

It''s funny what you find on the internet . I just discovered I have something called an osteoma on my skull. From what I''ve read it''s a benign tumor....but there''s always the what if factor????? And no thanks to your co-worker either, spouting out whatever came to mind.....geez!

Keep us posted. Is it possible to try to get in with an ear/nose/throat specialist? Perhaps you have the kind of vocal trauma that some singers get and have to cancel tours for? Don''t ask where my mind goes......it just wanders

Little Rock - I hear you about the wandering mind ... Believe me, I do it too!

Wow ... that osteoma sounds scary. Have you seen a doctor about it yet?


I will keep you posted. When I came home I opened my mouth to see if I could see back there b/c someone told me that tonsils could grow back and I was checking to see if my beasts had grown back in but ... they haven''t

, however, it does look rather red back there .... maybe an infection of some sort ... but I have no pain. Weird. I''m thinking about paying the ENT a visit ... good idea. Thanks!

hehe, you sounds like me. I''m just a worrier. Yup, red tonsils would signal some type of infection. Perhaps it''s just a viral thing and really is going to take longer than usual to go away. There is some nasty crudd going around that''s for sure! Matter of fact try to make an appt. with an ENT so you will have one if you need it. It''ll take some time to get into see a specialist usually, and you can always cancel if you get better before then. I''m so bossy right?

And about my thing. I have to get a ct in the next couple weeks to make sure everything is a o.k.! Thanks for asking

 

[justjulia]

Date: 5/1/2008 10:30:30 PM
Author: Sparkalicious

Date: 5/1/2008 7:24:54 PM

Author: justjulia

As a Speech Pathologist, I highly recommend making an appt with an Ear Nose and Throat dr who will put a gentle, small camera down your throat. Some simple things need to be ruled out, like polyps or nodules. Also, your sinuses might be a culprit. NO WHISPERING (this stresses the folds out worse). Think of it like car maintenance--just make the appointment and go see what is going on down there.


Write notes when you can and gesture. I know this is super frustrating! The main thing is to get the etiology (cause) figured out.


Hug hug.

Justjulia - Thanks for chiming in! I appreciate it.

Do you think that I need to go and see a specialist so soon ... It''s not even been a week yet. The reason I ask is b/c I feel like I am a raging hypochondriac and don''t want to be too hasty. I''m kind of nervous but understand that this type of thing isn''t usually life threatening etc. Trying to calm myself down by slowing down, right?


Thanks for the tip about whispering though. I will stop trying to accommodate others by speaking. People should ''get'' that I can''t talk right now and try and help me out. Notes & bigger and better gesticulation, it is!


Thanks again ... especially for the hugs!

If it was me or one of my children, I would make the appointment. ENT''s are cool. I just had some earwax removed by mine (yuck!). So, no, I don''t think you are over reacting. Just cautious.

 

[Sparkalicious]

Thank you everyone for your help!!

I got my voice back over the weekend and I am all good! *If* it happens to go again for no reason, I will be certain to seek some medical attention.

I really appreciate you all taking the time to chime in and offer support and advice.

 

[justjulia]

Glad to hear it! I''m sure you are relieved.

 

[LittleRock]

Spark, How''s your voice doing? Has it come back yet? Just was curious.....

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 5/8/2008 4:17:00 PM
Author: LittleRock
Spark, How''s your voice doing? Has it come back yet? Just was curious.....

Hiya, Little Rock!

It''s great! I''m talking again and nobody can stop me! Yay me but ....

for everyone else. Too bad.

It came back over the weekend! I was so happy. It was curious though b/c there was no reason for it to go and there was no rhyme or reason for it coming back ... Weird! I really strongly suspect that it might have something to do with stress and me "strangling" my voice or emotions sort of. Sounds totally hoaky but it is very coincidental as well.

I had my first wedding planning related drama and was REALLY upset about it. Totally emotional - ran the full gamut from angry to disappointed to completely devastated to all alone in the world .. you get the picture and I *didn''t* want to talk about it with anyone other than who was involved and my fiance and ... ooops ... my voice up and disappears. My friend, who was the cause of my angst, sent me an email clarifying the scenario on Friday just before I left work and it basically resolved the issue and what do you know ... Saturday, my voice was back and better than ever?! Go figure. I guess I might have to put some stock into thinking that the mind is more powerful than we think, right?

Humans and their problems are so strange.

Thank you for checking in on me ... I really appreciate the concern and interest. How are you doing? I wanted to post and ask but figured if you wanted to share that you might either start your own thread or be back to update me. Any updates or changes?

 

[LittleRock]

Date: 5/6/2008 2:06:12 PM
Author: Sparkalicious
Thank you everyone for your help!!


I got my voice back over the weekend and I am all good! *If* it happens to go again for no reason, I will be certain to seek some medical attention.


I really appreciate you all taking the time to chime in and offer support and advice.

Somehow I missed this update. I was scrolling down to the bottom and not paying attention.

Nonetheless, I''m glad your able to speak again

Now that you know that perhaps your loss of voice could sometimes be stress-related you''ll be prepared for the next time it happens. I mean ya wanna be able to talk on your big day!

Just remember to breath in 1-2-3 out 1-2-3....it really does work.

I''m doing alright, trying not to think about it to much. And I really hope it''s nothing to have to start a thread over

I go in for a CT Scan next Thurs. It seems like these things are fairly common, but it''s when the tumor starts affecting major blood vessels and how large it may or may not get that they require surgery. You know it was a really fluke thing on how I found out. I''d been suffering from sinus pain for weeks....and it was like I''d never felt before. I was able to get in to see my allergist (I just started seeing him) He sent me for a sinus x-ray and I was negative for the sinus infec. but "incidentally" had this osteoma on the frontal part of my skull. Funny how things work out huh? I look at it as a blessing in disguise.

Enough about me Sparks! Thanks for responding and asking about me. Take care of that voicebox!