Loss of voice after talking

[Frued]

Hiya, I’ve recently returned to work and I’m required to interview people for reports (social worker) which can last up to 1-hour. 3/4 of the way through I start coughing (like being out in the cold air) and the strength of my voice weakens and I end up breathless for a few hours.

Has anyone had similar experiences

[MELNEL]

Hiya, I had this often in the past. Special when I was off for a while. And always when back at work after 2 days I could wait on it that I lost my voice, my GP told me it can happen when you have to talk a lot special when I had to talk in German it exhausted my voice cords they got inflammed every time. It went away again but here and now it happen from time to time. And been told not to speak.But check with your GP. Best of luck hope you get well again 😊👍 stay safe and keep warm.

[Bu997 in reply to MELNEL]

Hi Freud, I have an ongoing issues with getting hoarse and breathless with continuous talking and there’s something about the way you have to use your voice on Microsoft Teams that really set me off. I have found that lots of water, Manuka honey and I am also using a small hand held nebuliser with one vial of Saline once a day to keep my vocal chords hydrated (As advised by a speech therapist). Like you, my voice gets worse about 3/4 of the way through and I am always apologising for sounding croaky. I know that you should only use a nebuliser under advice from a professional.

[Frued in reply to Bu997]

Hi Bu997, I’m the same with our video link equivalent of webex. I’ve to work remotely so it’s on the phone or video calls. I agree, it sets me off to. I have a nebuliser and saline solution, must try it to see how it goes, much appreciated

[Frued in reply to MELNEL]

Thanks for you comments. I’m sure it was exhausting normally speaking in German. I’ll try some off the pointers given in the other replies. Thanks and take care

[Itswonderful]

Yes I experience this and have for a few years. Have had SALT who advised sipping water all day long, secret yawning to stretch vocal cords and slowing down when you speak. Also read and stop and take a slow breath in and out between each sentence and at each comma. Telephone talking is worse as it has been found that we tend to take very shallow breaths in and talk fast. Also it creates a lot of tension in the neck and shoulders so gentle neck stretches are in order.

[Frued in reply to Itswonderful]

Hiya, I’ve noticed that’s how I breath on the phone, I’m becoming mindful of how I talk and need to try such things that you’ve mentioned. I use earphones to help reduce the effort when speaking. Thanks for the advice

[twinkly29]

Have a look at VCD (vocal cord dysfunction) online. It's a very common mimic of asthma. The classic thing being it affects the voice.

[Frued in reply to twinkly29]

Thanks twinkly , I’ll have a look

[Itswonderful in reply to Frued]

I have features of VCD and have had Speech and Language Therapy with the Royal Brompton and it helped me a lot. There’s also a website on the Buteyko method which I find useful. Dr Patrick McKeown has loads of info on it. Very helpful and interesting.

[Frued in reply to Itswonderful]

Brilliant, thanks Itswonderful, I’ll look that up

[ChrissieMons]

You may have to wait until life gets back to normal, but seeing an ENT specialist who puts a camera down your throat may give you some answers. Your GP should refer you.

[Frued in reply to ChrissieMons]

Thanks for the advice