Why am I losing my voice

[Musicqueen49]

Hi AllI am on Relvar Ellipta inhaler for my COPD which has been really good for me. No cough, no breathlessness, little mucus.

However my voice is different and sometimes I am really croaky. I drink lots throughout the day ( not alcohol leave that to a few night's a week).

Has anyone else had this problem and any suggestions for relieving the problem. I am in a ukulele group and its affecting my super singing voice 😁

[Collie4]

Do you rinse mouth and gargle after using inhaler? I sometimes get a hoarse voice and my GP said it is a common side effect of some preventer inhalers, especially ones with a bit of steroid in. I hope you find a solution. If it doesn’t get better i would see your GP.

How lovely playing ukulele and singing. My granddaughters learnt the ukulele.

[Musicqueen49 in reply to Collie4]

Thanks Collie4Yes I meticulously rinse my mouth as

I know about thrush and ulcers. Thanks a lot. Love my uke x

[Burghy]

I had the same problem when I used a steroid puffer a soon as I stopped I was fine

[Musicqueen49 in reply to Burghy]

Yes I think it's the inhaler, but can't stop as it's been great for me. Thanks a lot x

[PaulineHM]

Hi Musicqueen,

Good advice on here for you and sad to say that with declining lung function also comes hoarseness of the larynx. ( dysphonia )

Enjoy that Uke won’t you ?

Be well.

Pauline

[Musicqueen49 in reply to PaulineHM]

Thanks PaulineYes I have heard hoarseness can come with declining lung function. I'm ok apart from this. May speak to my GP.

Thanks x

[PaulineHM in reply to Musicqueen49]

Good idea, see how you get on and let us know ?

Go well.

Pauline

[Hidden]

Hi there, I was on this inhaler and also has those side effects, after speaking to one of my group members who uses Trimbow nexthaler the side effects more or less went and I am now able to enjoy having a sing round the house.

Hope this helps .

[Musicqueen49 in reply to Hidden]

That certainly does help. May just chat to my GP.Thanks, can't beat singing round the house x

[Maggity]

Hi, I've been taking this inhaler for years and do think it helps but unfortunately this does seem to be one of the side effects. I gargle and rinse which helps a bit.

[Musicqueen49 in reply to Maggity]

Thanks MaggityI always gargle, I will see how I feel in next few weeks and maybe visit my GP. Sometimes we have to suffer the side effects, which includes losing my singing voice unfortunately

Thanks x

[Maximonkey]

Hi, do you suffer from reflux? I do and have lost my voice twice because of it. I now take Gaviscon liquid before bed, which has helped. The other thing which affected my voice was using the wrong inhaler. Always rinse after using inhalers. I hope this helps if not see your GP. Take care Maximonkey

[Musicqueen49 in reply to Maximonkey]

Thanks MaximonkeyInteresting I have been diagnosed with reflux many years ago. I always rinse my mouth. Maybe worth a chat with my GO

Thanks a lot x

[Alberta56]

I too am on Relvar, which suits me fine, except that like you I find it affects my voice. I never had much of a singing voice, but when I was an English teacher I needed my spoken voice. Imagine doing 'Friends, Romans, countrymen' or 'To be or not to be' in a croak. Not to mention bawling at a noisy class to shut up. I'm retired, but I still miss my voice. I'm sorry you have this problem when you need your voice. I wonder if soothing cough mixture would help. xxx

[Musicqueen49 in reply to Alberta56]

Hi Alberta56I do always have a supply of lozenges, which help. Made me smile reading about your teaching. The things we have to suffer, but we can still smile and be happy x

[MoyB]

What an interesting post. I have been on Relvar for a number of years during which time I developed a croaky, deeper voice, a vocal range of about 6 low notes and eventually, much to my husband's amusement, the need to write notes instead of whisper.

But, I also suffer from silent reflux and the ent consultant at the hospital diagnosed reflux damage of the oesophagus.

I am following the treatment plan which includes lansoprazole, famotidine and Gaviscon Advance after meals and before bed.

I had just started this regime when my resp consultant changed my Relvar and Spiriva inhalers to Trelegy which, interestingly, has a slightly lower steroid content.

I also started singing lessons in the hope of improving my voice.

My voice IS improving and so are my peak flow, O2 levels and general fitness.

Which one of these changes has led to the improvement? Or is it the combination of all?

I have always had my suspicions about the Relvar. But...

I wait with interest for further posts about this issue.

Meanwhile, I will carry on as I am and enjoy the improvement.

Xx Moy

[Musicqueen49 in reply to MoyB]

Very interesting MoyB

I have also been diagnosed with silent reflux. I stopped taking my lansaprazole when I started the new inhaler as I felt better re the mucus etc.

Maybe I should start taking again. I do hate taking meds. I have never seen a consultant as I am very well now I am on the new inhaler.

I think I will see my GP after reading all these very helpful posts. Glad you have seen improvements. Keep well x

[watergazer]

I suffer from a hoarse croaky voice every so often. I do stretching exercises for my muscles and vocal cords and I always gargle for a while after using my inhaler. Take care x

[Musicqueen49 in reply to watergazer]

Thanks watergazerGood advice. Not sure how to do these exercises. I do general stretches every morning. I will do some research x

[watergazer in reply to Musicqueen49]

I do extremely exaggerated chewing movements and yawning with lips nearly closed, also a smiling exercise as if smiling from the throat. I’ll try to send a photo of an explanation cx

[Musicqueen49 in reply to watergazer]

Sounds interesting and I will try anything x

[watergazer]

Trying to send photo of better explanation x

Doesn’t want to post it - ?

[Musicqueen49 in reply to watergazer]

No probs, I'll have a go x

[Jambar52]

I use to sound like Minnie Mouse for years was told to take Montelukast and I no longer have a problem