Voice problem

[Nancyjw]

Hello, just wondering if anyone has a similar experience. MBC diagnosed 2016: bones, liver. Now have a paralyzed diaphragm, bowed vocal chord. Woke up one morning not being able to talk. Voice is low and raspy. Had several different chemos in the past year and a half. So frustrated with not being able to talk or communicate with others.

[Sandig1948]

So sorry to read your post and I hope your oncologist can give you answers or perhaps email Pfizer, to ask if this is something that has been brought to their attention either in initial trials, or since the drug became available to the wider world.

Perhaps Dr Nancy Lin on this site could give you more light on the matter or other members.

I hope this is only a temporary set back for you.

Sending love to you and all on this site.

GiGi

[Nancyjw in reply to Sandig1948]

Thank you. There are so many twists and turns in the cancer path it's frustrating. I guess the real "battle" is trying to keep your sanity through it all. But we persist.

Thank you, Gigi, for your thoughtfulness.

[psailsbery]

I understand completely. I have not had my full voice for 9 months. I saw an ENT and he did a camera scope up my nose and down my throat. One of my vocal cords is paralyzed. My oncologist checked my CT Scan and it showed an enlarged lymph node pressing on that side. I can talk but it takes a lot of energy and even then people have a hard time hearing and/or understanding me. I hate talking on the phone because it is extra challenging. I did have a procedure done to help push the vocal cord closed but it only lasts 3 - 6 months and did not make that much difference. So I continue along with my speaking challenges. Hopefully as we gain better control of my cancer this will resolve itself. I have "talked" 😂 to others with this problem. Surprisingly it's not that uncommon. Best wishes to you.

[blms in reply to psailsbery]

Is Ibrance suspected or cancer spread?

[Nancyjw in reply to blms]

Hi, I have never had Ibrance.

[psailsbery in reply to blms]

I am not on Ibrance. I would have to say it is due to cancer growth that has not responded to treatment. I have extensive lymph node involvement along with bone mets.

[Nancyjw in reply to psailsbery]

Thank you, psailsbery, thank you!

I feel exactly like that! My ENT said I have a bowed vocal chord that will not close completely. The PA said it is a damaged nerve that will need time to heal. Every morning I wake up and think maybe today is the day I will not have to struggle to be heard. I also have a paralyzed diaphragm so my breathing is difficult. I find it hard to accept this is my "normal" but I guess it is my temporary (hopefully) normal. I keep reminding myself that "silence is golden" but it's a tough lesson. Ha ha

Thank you so much. May your own journey smooth out with no further complications.

All the best to you.

[SeattleMom in reply to Nancyjw]

Hello, Nancy!

So sorry to read your post about this complication with your treatment. I had severe esophagitis (difficulty swallowing) following radiation to my spine. The esophagus is sometimes an unintended (but unavoidable) recipient of the rads. Did you have any radiation in recent past that may have contributed?

I did read that sometimes, when vocal cord is paralyzed, a speech therapist may help with special breathing techniques that can relieve episodes. Might be worth a consultation.

God bless you, Nancy! Will pray that this clears up soon!!

XO Linda in Seattle

[Nancyjw in reply to SeattleMom]

Thank you, Linda. I haven't had any radiation recently. I have had so many different chemo medicines for the past year and a half .....

Thank you for reminding me about a speech therapist. I will dfinitely look into it.

God bless,

May we all be in His Healing Hands,

Nancy

[Clair19 in reply to SeattleMom]

You always have the best suggestions! Great to have you here.

[SeattleMom in reply to Clair19]

Thanks, Clair! You are always so sweet and have the BEST input! Bless you!! Linda

[Clair19]

I’m so sorry for you. Yes when you get Chemo it destroyes bad and good cells. My voice has also become lower and raspy. My oncologist says because my hormones are being attacked from hormone therapy to destroy them it takes away something’s that as women we expect. Like thick hair, long nails and some hair growing where we don’t like. I hate my hormones this low because it takes away some female quality’s, like a sweet young voice. I always sounded young, now I sound like a 70 year old bar hopping chain smoker! 😂. I will pray you get your voice back, there are steroids to take the swelling down, that’s what mostly happens. Try gargling with salt water or mouth wash without alcohol. Good luck and keep me posted please. Clair

[Nancyjw in reply to Clair19]

Thank you Clair, I will try those suggestions. And thank you for making me laugh with the 70 yr old bar hoping chain smoker!

Laughter is the best medicine -- I must do it more often !!!!

[daniellebrooks13]

Hello Nancy JW:

I had your exact problem several years ago. I was in sales at the time and needed my voice for phone calls and presentations. I live in NY and it was suggested that I see Dr. Michael Pitman of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery at Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital on 14th Street, Manhattan (now part of Mount Sinai.) He found that my left vocal chord was paralyzed so it would not close together with the right vocal chord.

He performed a procedure that is not pleasant, a needle through the throat that puts a botax-like material into the left vocal chord which builds it up enough for the space to close between the two chords. It fixed my voice and got rid of my breathlessness. It lasted around 6 months, then I had the procedure again and it lasted around a year. After the third needle, I opted for the operation. He placed a "piece of material" (my words) into my vocal chord and my voice has been good ever since.

Dr Pitman is the best and he's young and handsome too. Now he is at Columbia University and his office number is [phone]. Tell him hello from me, if you talk to him. Good luck!

[Nancyjw in reply to daniellebrooks13]

Thank you for all the info ! I did hear about the "temporary fix" but not the operation possibility. I guess there is a very slim possibility of voice coming back on its own.... When the number of my appointments simmer down, I will call Dr. Pittman as I live close to Manhattan. And I will definitely let him know who referred me! (How long was the recuperation after the surgery?)

Thank you ever so much.

[BeckyHobson]

Hmmm no voice issues. Side effect perhaps?