sore throat and RA

[Luludean]

How common is it for people with RA to develop sore throat , croaky voice? I am getting no where with rheumatology department ( no reply on helpline) or my new gp.

I amgoing to NZ in a week and am so worried .

[Madmusiclover]

Personally no, not experienced that as a result of RA. There are many possible causes. I would persist with the GP.

[Luludean in reply to Madmusiclover]

thank you but after googling nhs RA and throat problems info , it seems to be a well known side effect.

[Madmusiclover in reply to Luludean]

That’s interesting. Is it as a result of the RA or the drugs?

[Hidden]

note my diagnosis is Adult Onset Stills Disease which manifests rheumatic disease. Diagnosed aged 17 now 61 with constant sore throat since first diagnosed and indeed a sore throat was thd very first symptom to appear as well.

[DeeSending]

Hello Luludean,

I have RA and IPF. I have had a sore and crokey throat and bouts of laryngytis for years and it has been diagnosed as GERD (gastric reflux). This can be managed and is not a big problem. I find that if I drink a lot of hot water it helps. As I love talking losing my voice for a week or so gives everyone a break! Ho ho. Anyway, I also have had to alter my eating habits and eliminated food that either upsets my tummy or causes too much mucus to develop - minty toothpaste in particular. Hope some or any of this info helps.

[Runrig01]

So I have ankylosing spondylitis, and have had regular flares, when I can lose my voice after having sore throat. I can have no voice for 8-10 weeks. I have had scopes passed, and they just show chronic inflammation due to the AS.

It’s important to mention that dmards, particularly MTX can cause throat irritation, and should be reported promptly, as it can be due to drug induced pneumonitis. GERD can also cause the throat irritation.

[LondonLinda]

I too have a croaky voice. Advised by RA Consultant to change my Omeprazole from one morning and night to both at night, plus taking Gaviscon Advanced at night. Certainly helped. Apparently all part of the reflux caused by RA

[Luludean in reply to LondonLinda]

thank you for all your answers and support. I am in a right pickle . It seems like I am perpetually ill with something and getting no where. I am on no RA drugs , I was on Humira then Benapali , both made me ill but I got no support from my gp nor my cold and arrogant Rheumatologist. I have seen him twice and he has never touched me nor answered my questions. The helpline there rarely replies. Since last October I have had sinus infections, a terrifying month recently when I suddenly could not see or walk. A month of driving ban and mri’s investigating possible stroke. Horrible when you live alone. It was not a stroke but it is inconclusive , the tia consultant, whom I have never seen diagnosed migraine!! Well it , if it is has come on suddenly and left me very afraid. Now I am losing my voice , have a horriible sore throat and am convinced of the worst. My new gp( they all seem to leave) is nice , agreed my throat was sore but did not know what to do.

I go to NZ in 10 days time , my son lives there. I have not seen him for 5 years. I am now pathologically aftaid of this journey. I have done it several times but I am 5 years older and like all of us lockdown ( at risk) has had an effect.

I also have had mitral valve repair and am

In persistent AF. The cardiology department is wonderful and have told me to ask rheumatology department for a multidisciplinary consultation . This was refused.

A packet of diazepam would aid the fear I am in but, now not allowed . Strange that they dole out pernicious addictive pain killers . I am lost but glad to have your posts to read.

[Hidden in reply to Luludean]

your bio says you live in Cambridge, is Addenbrookes a centre of excellent for rheumatic illnesses ? I was diagnosed there in 1979 when we called it new Addenbrookes as the old one was still open and in fact I spent a week there in 1979 which resulted in my diagnosis of Adult Onset Stills Disease which for me manifests as rheumatoid Disease. As it’s over 45 years ago I doubt this is useful but my rheumy was Professor Hazleman and he diagnosed my rare condition but it think it’s unlikely he’s still working.

[Luludean in reply to Hidden]

hi stilldisease , thank you for your interesting post. I will reply later today. I think Addenbrookes can be wonderful! Cardiology, gynae, urology , pain clinic excellent and happy , kind staff and consultants. My experience of Rheumatology has been so different!

[Luludean in reply to Hidden]

sadly Stillsdisease he is not! I am asking to change consultant , that is not straight forward. You have to go through PALS and they have not replied. I am on no drugs for rheumatology now . I declined methotrexate, Humira and Benapali made me ill . I would have loved biologics to work.

On heart drugs so I make sure my prescriptions do not clash .

To my terror I have been fast tracked into ENT tomorrow , Saturday!! Not good timing , fly to NZ on Tuesday. So some departments work very very quickly.

I am interested in your history , how long were you in Cambridge ? I moved here 30 years ago from Finchley .

Now to eat. L

[Hidden in reply to Luludean]

Ive lived in Cambridgeshire since the early 70s (mainly in villages)then lived and worked in London from about the mid 90s until 2002 then back up the very north of Cambridgeshire almost in Lincolnshire. The pandemic brought early retirement for us both and now we’d like to move to the coast but the economy is in such turmoil we’ll wait a few years. My gastroscopy appointment arrived today 19th April eeeek 😝

[Hidden in reply to LondonLinda]

your post caught my eye with the words “reflux caused by RA”

I have Adult Onset Stills Disease which manifests RD. Diagnosed aged 17 now 61 but have suffered horrible sore throats since diagnosis and they were the herald of Stills as well.

A recent illness starting with dreadful reflux and heartburn and a worsening throat has led GP to consider cancer of the ovaries, pancreas or liver ! The worry was very high levels of amalyse and sudden weight loss with other symptoms. I’m waiting for a colonoscopy appointment and gastroscopy.

My question is if reflux is known as a condition of RD then surely given that I have chronic Stills Disease I don’t need these tests. I should add I’m drug free for Stills except pain relief, my GP has never treated me for Stills given it started in 1979 and hasn’t examined me or seen me f2f but ordered these tests purely on the raised amalyse levels.

[Mmrr]

My voice is not what it once was, and I regularly have to clear my throat.RA can affect the larynx / voice box. I've assumed it is just that. Rheumatology have not been interested when I've mentioned it to them.

[bpeal1]

I’ve noticed my voice is affected by RA. I do a lot of singing and when I’m flaring I really notice a difference. It takes a lot longer to warm my voice up and even then note sometimes crack. As I sing with choirs it’s not a big issue and I just enjoy myself anyway.

[Marienan]

Hi Luludean. So I read this article about sore throats and RA Much more rarely RA can attack joints in the larynx or voice box and cause hoarseness pain during swallowing or talking a feeling of having something stuck in your throat lowering of the voice or shortness of breath. Several decades ago RA related larynx problems were more common.

Hope this helps if even a little bit. Good luck.

[Luludean]

thank you Marienan .

[TerrilouiseS]

yes the disease affects my voice. Do you take a drug where the side effects is respiratory symptoms like sore throat? Can also be that

[Jackie1947]

I only had sore throats when on Methotrexate so came off it