15 months post op (oesophagectomy)_hoarseness on a regular basis. Is this indicative of requiring a stretch,have had 3 since op, or could it

[azura]

be due to some other post op problem.

[Hidden]

It is not uncommon. I think it might be to do with a reduction in saliva, perhaps, and/or a certain amount of acid reflux? A stretch might help with food being slow to clear through into the rest of your system. Does it happen all the time - or after a set interval after eating?

[azura in reply to Hidden]

It seems to have no relationship to when or what I eat,but does seem worse if I have a poor nights sleep.May be as Chris says, its more to do with the Laryngeal nerve,I did have a T.H.E. Thanks for your comments

[Hidden in reply to azura]

I suspect that it is the effect of reflux, especially at night. Reflux can either be acid (which omeprazole and equivalent PPI medication can combat); or bile, which is alkali.

I presume that you probably sleep propped up to some extent anyway - which may help. Otherwise it may well be worth getting your situation reviewed to see if it can be improved a bit.

[azura in reply to Hidden]

I think you are right I will discuss at my forthcoming clinic appointment. Thanks Alan

[medway]

I have had this issue since my op 18 months ago and have put it down to post op weakness as the op is major and weakens you. As time has progressed and I have recovered this has gradually disappeared almost completely. I think the older you are, the greater the effects on your strength.

[azura in reply to medway]

thanks for your comments medway, you are probablt right

[seventrees]

I had similar problems ( now just over 3 years since Ivor Lewis), I found chewing gum generated more saliva which lubricated mouth and throat.........Just buy good quality gum!!! particularly if you wear dentures.

Good Luck

[azura in reply to seventrees]

thanks seventrees I will try that and see if it works

[Thorno]

I'm nearly three years post-op and I still get this quite a lot but it is definitely driven by tiredness or from situations at work where I have had to talk for lengthy periods. It is steadily improving though but I do find that any symptom; hoarseness, sore throat, tight chest, painful ribs etc., is always more pronounced when I'm tired - Peter

[azura in reply to Thorno]

Thanks Thorno Its certainly worse if J have a poor nights sleep

[chris_usa]

If you had a procedure where you had an incision made in your neck (ie Transhiatal esophagectomy), hoarseness can be due to injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve. This is not uncommon in procedures including left neck excision. If your surgery involved a neck incision, consider this also as a possibility.

[azura in reply to chris_usa]

thanks chris I did have a T.H.E. maybe this is the root cause of the problem I shall seek advice from my upper G I nurse

[sallym]

I also had a trans hiatal oesophago gastrectomy. Nerve damage due to the neck incision, I find hoarseness a problem which kicks in without any warning, something I have got use to

over my 19 years, post op. along with the coughing reflex. I haven't found any solution to this and find it rights itself quite quickly on its own. It is all a new learning curve, so good luck sally

[azura in reply to sallym]

thanks for your response, it probably will be something I just have to get used to.The fact that you are 19 years post op gives me fresh hope for the future. Thanks

[racy]

azura,

When i had my op i had some tubes inserted in the right side of my neck. Since recovery i find my voice often changes in tone and pitch. Rather like Clint Eastwood talked in the Dirty Harry films. The hospital pre-warned me this could happen due to the tubes in the neck.

[azura in reply to racy]

Yes I too had tubes in the riht side of my neck,however my hoarseness seems to be related to tiredness more than anything else. Thank you for your response. Azura