ENT and vocal chord dysfunction

[Flamingo17]

Hi everyone

Does anyone happen to know what happens at your first appointment at ENT after a diagnosis of vocal chord dysfunction please?

Thanks in advance

[starveycat]

Morning , I can only say what happened to me. I had a mini camera put up my nose and when it was in place I had to make various sounds, they we had a chat about what was seen. It was Not painful. I relaxed so all ok. Good luck. Little tip , when they were doing it I was singing nursery rhymes to myself to take my mind off it. Sounds crazy but it worked .

[Bevvy]

As starveycat says they may insert a camera up nose to go down throat. This doesn’t usually hurt but inside my nose is extremely small so for me this is painful. If so in your case they can spray some numbing stuff up your nose and then is straightforward.

[Moonriver]

They use à little camera on a thin flexible tube called a nasal endoscopy. It goes into your nose and throat. I had one where they numbed my nose and another time without it. That was ok so don’t worry. Then the camera picture projects onto a screen so you can see your vocal cords. Doesn’t take long’ a couple of minutes

[Flamingo17]

Thanks everyone x

[Aquariel]

I can tell you what happens after. Nothing! Your only defence is to eat a minimal amount, lose weight. They can operate on your stomach but I was told it only works sometimes. The other thing is tilt your head back and open your throat with a big gulp. Works for 5 minutes and try inhaling steam.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Aquariel]

Hi Aquariel, just wanted to check if you were told a stomach operation can help vocal cord dysfunction? That seems a bit odd unless it's somehow a link between reflux/GERD and vocal cord issues?

Also, just a note to please be careful about recommending steam inhalation, as it can trigger asthma for some people even if it's helpful for you.