Does anyone have Vocal cord damage?

[MrsBargirl]

My right vocal cord was paralysed during a TT and has since been repaired. My main issue is food getting stuck in my throat after eating, has anyone experienced this. The other issue is covid, I'm terrified of getting it after the 2nd surgery they nearly had to bring me back in to put a trach tube in as my working vocal cord couldn't take it. Thanks

[Fruitandnutcase]

I think you might be able to get speech therapy to help with vocal chord problems. I worked with someone who had it and it really helped her. I also recommended it to a friend who had had a partial thyroidectomy which affected his vocal chords and he also found it speech therapy very helpful.

You can either speak to your GP or consultant but you might find that because of covid there is a waiting list for treatment so it might be worth finding someone privately.

[MrsBargirl in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Hi I have had speech therapy and the surgery to medalize the paralysed cord. Its just recently food like rice oats etc is getting stuck, usually I take a sweet or piece of chocolate to push it on down.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Here’s similar post from another member JaneyJaney

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Ruby1]

I’m not medical at all so I know nothing about this, but I thought food does not usually go near your vocal chords.

Is it possible this is two separate problems associated with your surgery? Perhaps scar tissue or something? Have you mentioned this problem to your doctor? It sounds worth calling them about.

Best of luck.

[MrsBargirl in reply to Ruby1]

Hi, I used to have really bad choking fits where food would come down my nose! Classy and embarrassing especially when out somewhere, thankfully I don't seem to have them as often. Will have to phone gp this week.

[Ruby1 in reply to MrsBargirl]

I'd say it's definitely worth a call to your doctor - even if it's just a chat over the phone.

[Flynzer]

My husband has the same problem, due to an operation. He was advised by a Community Nurse to try cheap fizzy drinks (cheap equals fizzy) and this seems to work. He uses soda water. Sometimes our nurses have more experience with what works for patients.

[MrsBargirl in reply to Flynzer]

Hi, I can't seem to take fizzy drinks for some reason but I do drink a lot of water, will give that a go to see if it shifts it. Does he have choking fits too?

[Flynzer in reply to MrsBargirl]

He does get acid reflux which is very unpleasant for him and makes him throw up. I do sympathize with you, these things are hard to live with.

[Arrigo]

Hi MrsBargirl, I had a TT just about 1 week ago now, and due to damage to my left recurrent laryngeal nerve, the voice fold on that side no longer functions correctly. Total nightmare before an ENT injected the paralyzed fold to enlarge it, such that the good one can meet the damaged one in the middle. Sounds like your damage was unfortunately permanent, since you required additional surgery to fix, did I get that right? Sometimes the paralysis is temporary and sometimes permanent. Here's my question for you- whereas all the problems I encountered with a paralyzed voice fold had to do with the trachea (couldn't drink/eat due to heightened risk of aspiration pneumonia, couldn't speak because the fold wasn't closing), your issues seem to center around esophageal motility, is that a fair statement? I got that idea when you stated 'food stuck in the throat' (as in, won't go down?) vs. 'food stuck in the airway' (as in, choking?). So, you might ask the ENT to also assess your esophagus, not only the larynx? The former may fall in the gastroenterologist wheelhouse rather than the ENT's- but just an idea to discuss with this specialist. Good luck to you!I hope and pray mine turns out temporary... such a crapshoot Got a follow up soon.

[MrsBargirl]

Hi, I'm sorry this happened you, its very frustrating and tiring trying to speak with one cord. I do choke on stuff and as for the food getting stuck it's like it gets stuck at the back of my throat where the epiglottis is and not further down. When this happens I have a sweet or piece of chocolate to push it down. I'm terrified of getting coronavirus as I really don't want a trach tube. Hoping your recovery is well and speedy. Sarah