Croaky old voice anyone ....?

[Rosie_rabbit]

Hey everyone, over the last 48 hours I seem to have developed the worst croaky voice, in fact I've nearly lost my voice. I have no sore throat or cold symptoms. It's a little hard to tell if I'm going down with something cos I always feel like I'm going down with something at the minute!! Also, I'm not short of breath, but well maybe I am slightly. I've not exerted myself today, but whilst singing, no croaking along to the radio yesterday and today I'm getting, well, a bit short of breath and it makes me feel really tired. I'm fine walking up stairs etc but haven't tested myself out any further really

I started a new NSAIDs on Friday, meloxicam 7.5mg twice a day which is helping a little. I also take mtx 20mg, omeprasole and folic acid.

My GP rang me last night to ask how I was getting on with the meloxicam and I did mention this to him but he didn't seem worried and just thought it was probably viral. This voice is really weird though, it sounds dreadful and this just isn't something I would normally get.

Has anyone else experienced anything similar or any ideas? It probably is viral but it's like nothing I've ever had before??

Thanks all and hope your all well today, Rxx

[Hidden]

I quite often find my voice becoming weak. It can happen at any time, even in the middle of a sentence. It's embarrassing when it happens whilst on the phone. I don't know what causes it, but I do have Bronchiectasis so it might be that.

Kath xx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Rosie. Do you suffer from dry eyes at all or a dry mouth - or have you been diagnosed with secondary Sjogrens? I ask this because I'm struggling a little myself - constantly clearing my throat and a very slight tickly cough often - nothing on others I had before RA but noticing my voice cracks a bit and feels weaker than usual.

I've been thinking about it all day because I was asked to sing a solo by the choir mistress in the small chamber choir I sing in and I've been practicing it a lot - and getting really freaked out by the raspiness of my voice - to the point where I feel I'll have to say no because I fear I'm going to let the choir down otherwise. I do have very dry eyes these days and I believe the change in voice might go with the secondary Sjogrens that I'm thinking I probably have. As singing is my hobby I feel a bit horrified by this but there we go. Does this make any sense in relation to you too perhaps? Tilda x

[Rosie_rabbit in reply to Hidden]

Hi Tilda, I don't think so. I wouldn't say that I have any symptoms of sjogrens and would actually say that my eyes can sometimes even be a little watery. My throat feels fine but just sounds dreadful all of the time. It's not coming and going it's there all of the time.

As for singing, I love singing but with or without a croaky voice I sounds dreadful!!! I don't think I could find a choir that would take me. I hope you find a way to manage your voice to continue singing. What an honour to be asked to sing a solo :)))

Take care Rx

[Hidden in reply to Rosie_rabbit]

It is an honour but not one I can live up to methinks! I am continuing to try though. I know that a scratchy voice goes with Sjogrens for many people - and that Sjogrens can go with RA. I went through a stage of terribly watery eyes - i hated it worse than dry eyes by a long way. People would get so offended when I sat in their houses with streaming eyes - assuming that it was to do with their house dust I think! I do hope your voice gets back soon and it's just a spot of Laryngitis. Ive had that a couple of times with no cold or warning - I think it can just come but if it is then it will also go I'm sure! x

[Rosie_rabbit in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Kath, it isn't coming and going it's just dreadful all the time. I hope your Bronchiectasis doesn't give you too trouble xx

[Riedenise]

Hi, I have had this on & off for several years, no sore throat/cold etc. My voice just gets croaky then starts to disappears down to a whisper. I only got diagnosed jan last year with RA ( but feel id had RA for about 10 years before & no one took me seriously) & got diagnosed with secondary Sjorgrens in july last year, again Id had dry eyes for a few years as my optician told me. So wether it is related to this I don't know? My croakiness can happen 3/4 times a year. My next attack I will speak to my Gp or rheumy & see what they say. Speak to your Gp/Rheumy see what they say. Take care, Rie x