Post OHS and loss of voice

[Art-99]

Approximately 18 months after being diagnosed with a leaky heart valve I had planned surgery in Nicosia. To be honest I wasn’t overly anxious being assured that this type of surgery was not uncommon and as I was in good health otherwise, my recovery shouldn’t take long. Famous last words ! It was three months until I returned home, the last 5 weeks being spent in rehabilitation to build my strength back up so I could walk unaided. Two years on and I’m pretty much back to normal, however my voice which was extremely weak after I regained consciousness is the result of a paralysed vocal chord. It’s still inconsistent in strength and I understand that certain forms of chest/ohs can result in vocal nerves being inadvertently damaged. Has anyone else suffered in the same way ?

[Chappychap]

I haven't experienced this, but your post rings a bell, I'm sure this has come up before on this forum. Why not try a search of the archives? The search facility is the little magnifying glass in the top right corner.

Good luck!

[Art-99 in reply to Chappychap]

thank you for your response and I have found the posts, I originally thought my loss of voice related more to be being intubated for much longer than was anticipated however an eventual visit to an ENT doctor revealed my left vocal chord was paralysed. It was another specialist (not cardiac or ENT) who suggested that as it was my left mitral valve that had been replaced and the corresponding nerve to the left vocal chord is extremely close, the nerve had probably been severed during surgery. I have read with interest an earlier post of yours detailing information provided by NHS hospitals prior and after surgery, nothing like that appears to be available in Cyprus unfortunately.

[Antique50]

Hi Art-99 - I have a leaky mitral valve and am waiting for heart surgery pretty soon. About 4 months ago I had a TOE and was left with a really croaky voice. (People think I’m a man on the phone sometimes)! When I looked this up it seems to be more prevalent in people with heart valve problems.

[Art-99 in reply to Antique50]

thank you for your response. My heart valve problem was only picked up when an ECG found I had arrhythmia. I’d had no symptoms such as breathlessness etc my voice problem seemed to have in some way resulted during surgery to replace the left mitral valve. Hope you don’t have to wait too long for your operation and that all goes well.

[LadyPumpkinseed]

Hello Art-99, I’m glad things are getting back to normal for you but I’m sorry to hear about your voice. Have you been offered voice therapy? A speech- language pathologist might be able to help with exercises to strengthen your vocal cords and restore nerve communication between the brain and the larynx. Good luck and I hope things continue to improve with time.

[Art-99 in reply to LadyPumpkinseed]

thank you for your concern. We’ve lived in Cyprus for the past 10 years and things are somewhat different to what you expect from health services in the UK and it’s a shame the NHS comes in for so much criticism. The ENT doctor monitored the vocal chord regularly and promised to provide some exercises which didn’t materialise, so I found some online with a recognised source. To be honest most times my voice sounds as it used to but can get very hoarse and weak usually in mid sentence, so you constantly feel the need to clear the throat (which you should avoid with vocal chord damage)

[Anon2023]

I’ve never heard of this before but for about 6 months after my surgery I sounded like Marge Simpson. I’ve never smoked but I sounded like I did 100 ciggs a day. It’s cleared up somewhat now but I’m off to see ENT next week so hopefully I can find out more.

[Art-99 in reply to Anon2023]

thanks for your response, I’ve read your bio and occasional posts and you really have been through some traumatic times. I hope your visit to the ENT specialist is productive. The paralysis of my vocal chord suggested as resulting from severance of a nerve during heart surgery is something I’ve researched online and I didn’t merely accept one doctor’s explanation; I would appreciate it if you could ask during your appointment next week, if this is something they’ve come across ? I hope your health continues to improve, good luck.

[Anon2023 in reply to Art-99]

I’ll make sure I ask them and I’ll let you know. I was referred because I’ve got a cough with orange mucus coming up and none of the cardiologist or respiratory docs knew what it was. I thought the voice problem was connected or it was because I was intubated for so long. I’ll try and find out more about the connection with the heart surgery and I’ll get back to you. Hope you are feeling better.

[Art-99 in reply to Anon2023]

thank you, I hope they can find out the cause of that mucus .

[Anon2023 in reply to Art-99]

hi. I went to my appointment today only to have it cancelled as there was no electricity in the hospital this morning. It’s being rescheduled so will let you know if I get any info when I eventually get there.

[Art-99 in reply to Anon2023]

How annoying for you, will wait to hear, thanks again.

[Anon2023]

one of the members on here had exactly the same thing so I’ve got a good idea that it’s sinus related. That’s the benefit of this forum, someone has always had a similar experience and is willing to advise. X

[ParrotLover22]

Hi Art. I had my Mitral and Aortic Valves replaced two years ago now and I still get a problem with my Voice now and again. It doesn't last long though, thankfully :). I was told at my Pre-Op with the Surgeon, I would possibly be in for a Week. It ended up I was in for 6 Weeks as I had complications which I won't put on here so I can relate to what you are saying!