Loss of voice!

[Tiggertheterrier]

Anybody with asthma + bronchiectasis combo ever suffer with total loss of voice? Ihave the odd croaky days, but it doesn't last long, now I've lost my voice ccompletely.....had loads of hot drinks, nothing working. Tips please!! Thanks.

[teddyd]

I am often hoarse and a have a weak voice. Occasionally I lose my voice, a hot blackcurrant with honey usually helps. I was told it was inhalers drying out my vocal cords.

[Tiggertheterrier in reply to teddyd]

Ah, haven't tried that...thanks! At the moment I am producing far too much mucous and it seems to have glued my vocal cords together, very annoying. Been on Carbocysteine since December. It's all trial and error at the moment.

[teddyd in reply to Tiggertheterrier]

Wish you luck

[Clematisa1 in reply to teddyd]

I was told to make sure I cleaned my inhalers. ❤️

[Tiggertheterrier in reply to Clematisa1]

that's a regular routine here! Apart from the powder inhalers of course!!

[Jasmine22]

I really feel for you! This happens to me constantly. I’ve just been ill for almost 6 weeks with chest infection and asthma exacerbation, and I’m only now starting to to get my voice back. My respiratory consultant said it may be vocal cord disorder, but I have no diagnosis.

As yet, I’ve found nothing that actually helps me. I wish you well! 😊

[Tiggertheterrier in reply to Jasmine22]

hi Jasmine22, I'm pretty convinced that, for me, an awful lot is allergy related or reaction to aspergillus, but couldn't get my Resp consultant to take it seriously. If I take oral pred all my chest symptoms virtually disappear, apart from a rumble in ththe background that I cacan cope with. On an extraordinarily long waiting list for ent to look at my vocal cords.

[watergazer]

Yes! I bought some throat tablets from the chemist called Vocalize which really helped x

[SuziElley in reply to watergazer]

Think you mean Vocalzone? I’m a singer and use these. Important to rinse mouth after using inhalers

[watergazer in reply to SuziElley]

I used them as having a bronchiectasis flare up and my voice went. Always rinse and gargle after using my inhaler though I still get a husky voice x

[Tiggertheterrier in reply to SuziElley]

An ex singer here SuziElley and the permanent lumps of mucous sitting in my throat ffor past few years has stopped that! Do a lot of rinsing and salt water gargling after my inhalers. Been stuck on outpatient clinic waiting lists for months and months, all very frustrating!

[SuziElley in reply to Tiggertheterrier]

So sorry to hear this. I keep wondering how much longer I’ll be singing. We had a rehearsal this morning and I was constantly clearing my throat.

We singers are all the same, love, absolutely love singing but it’s not good when the vocal cords are clumped up with mucous…..All the best and I hope you’re seen soon

[Tiggertheterrier in reply to SuziElley]

It was the throat clearing, together with being unable to carry a phrase on one breath anymore, about 4 yrs ago that triggered me getting me referred initially. First they said badly controlled asthma, but I disagreed, pushed for a CT scan, and there was the bronch lurking!! Miss most:- singing the descants at Carol Services!! Carry on as long as you possibly can xx

[SuziElley in reply to Tiggertheterrier]

Really sorry you’re unable to sing now. I struggle with the breath but snatch one when I can 😂 I sing with a group and we go around to care homes, community groups, village halls, all sorts. We’re now entertaining Somerset and Devon. Once a year the amateur Operatic society put on a big extravaganza and I like to take part in that but who knows for how much longer…….. this dreadful throat clearing is becoming a nuisance. I’ll speak to my asthma nurse about it when I next see her. All the very best xx

[SuziElley in reply to Tiggertheterrier]

Have you thought of or tried N - acetyl cisteine?

[Tiggertheterrier in reply to SuziElley]

My GP put me on Carbocisteine in December last year ( at my suggestion!!!), they are helping a bit, but nowhere near as good as oral Pred

[SuziElley in reply to Tiggertheterrier]

I agrée but not wise to take oral steroids nonstop 😢

[Tiggertheterrier in reply to SuziElley]

I know! So frustrating. There was talk of starting me on a trial of Azithromycin, but then the consultant seemed to forget all about it. I am currently on Clarithromycin for a week for ' a rather wheezy and whistling chest' , and seem to be tolerating that OK, so am hopeful that next time I see CoConsultant( Hopefully this side of Christmas!) I can nudge his memory.

[SuziElley in reply to Tiggertheterrier]

In the meantime, take care xx

[Patk1 in reply to Tiggertheterrier]

Dp u do lung clearance sessions?Inhaling steam is good for vocal chords plus nose+ sinuses - ent recommend it.ive a plastic cup with a lid & mask on,which saves having head over a bowl.x

[Tiggertheterrier in reply to Patk1]

Hello Patk1, I have taught myself lung clearance and saline nebulisation as still waiting for respiratory physio to see me ( referred in 2021!) . Just been told I don't qualify for Pulmonary Rehab as 'patient has primary diagnosis of asthma' NO MENTION OF THE BRONCH. I am furious as whoever did my referral must have forgotten to mention ththe bronch. Honestly, the nhs in Wales couldn't run a bun fight in a bakery.

[Patk1 in reply to Tiggertheterrier]

I'd ring pulmonary rehab+ tell thm.its great that you've taught yrself xxxx

[fraid]

I too get lots of bad throats, lose my voice often, occ. totally but was told it was just another tired muscle re M.E. It comes and goes, I find sucking wine gums, strepsils or similar just keeps it lubricated, and cold beer helps too! 👍

[Poobah]

I developed dysphonia after AC was installed in my workplace. Turns out the humidity became very low (around 20%) and that triggered all sorts of respiratory challenges for me. I now ensure home has a decent level of humidity and if I travel, I wear a mask and drink lots of water. Dry powder inhalers don't help, but gargling and keeping hydrated are necessary.

From what I understand, the body trietries to compensate if exposed to low humidity over time. Mucus membranes create more mucus as way of keeping everything moist and the mucus causes all sorts of problems, as we know.

But there are other causes of dysphonia and the treatment will be dependent on the underlying causes. nnuh.nhs.uk/departments/spe...

[Tiggertheterrier in reply to Poobah]

thank you for the insight Poobah. I will keep an eye on the house humidity.