Voice damage after Hemi thyroidectomy

[Headandneck72]

I’m 2.5 weeks post surgery and voice still very weak worried it’s not going to return? Any help appreciated!!

.....and I also had good results as tumour was benign so very happy about that

[littlecandle]

It is still very early days. Don't panic. Ask your doctor if you have a haematoma on your voice box. I had one after my second thyroid surgery and could only whisper for about 6 weeks. Don't push too hard, too soon. After 6 weeks, my voice came back and I did vocal exercises every day and my singing voice was as good as new. It has only been in the last couple of years that I have noticed that my voice is not what it was. It is a combination of not singing to the levels I used to and a slight tightening in my throat that I would like to get checked out, but I am unable to get through to the GP. Please don't panic, because it is still quite early in the recovery process.

[Headandneck72 in reply to littlecandle]

Ahhh that good to hear....I think I’ve read to much ‘Dr Google’ and worried myself! I need to be patient. Thanks for the good advice J

[Arrigo]

Hi, I had voice box issues post-thyroidectomy as well, it was due to RLN injury, which can be a risk with this type surgery. I required a temporary fix to the right-side voice fold, and was told that there was a fair chance the function would be regained -with no need for a permanent surgical fix- in time. Thankfully the nerve healed on its own, and I regained full function at approx. 6 weeks post-surgery. The fact that I used gentle heat and massaged the upper right part of my chest, and ate a diet conducive to nerve axon healing/regeneration could well have helped. Good luck on your journey.

[Headandneck72 in reply to Arrigo]

Hi there - thanks so much for your response I’m five weeks post tomorrow and voice is the same - strained, breathy and high. To be honest I’m really struggling and they are planning to scope me in the next few weeks which is good but I cannot cope with the scope up my nose I find it painful and unbearable. They have tried several times before due to my previous cancer and I’m so gutted I have to go through this again. They’ve said it’s the only way to tell what’s wrong! I’d appreciate any info regarding diet and massage? And I have a right had hemithyroidectomy so it can only be damage to right surely? I’m constantly googling to find out what’s wrong. It could been the operation or the intubation, not sure. All I know is I’m worrying that it’ll never come back

[Arrigo in reply to Headandneck72]

Scoping allows the ENT to tell if your voice folds (innervated by the laryngeal nerves) move as they should. Due to the damage to the RLN, my right fold no longer moved as it should, so I had voice and swallowing issues. Unfortunately yes, nasal scoping is needed to ascertain function of these folds. The doc has you pronounce some vowels while he's scoping you and seeing with that camera whether your folds move OK. Ask the doc for any tips on making it more comfortable, they should know. Regarding diet and massage- google neuropathy diet, that's what I focused on. Massage- just light massage and applied heat pad on the upper part of the chest, google RLN location in the body and it'll become evident to you. I hope it's temporary for you, and as someone above said, try not to worry for now, the body takes time to heal.

[Headandneck72 in reply to Arrigo]

I don’t know if I will have the scope I’m really bad with them and have never had one awake. But they said I have to be awake due to exactly what you said. My swallow is bazaarly ok considering the previous surgery’s and radiation I’ve had so that’s a good sign isn’t it regarding the folds!! Anyway thanks for the info I’ll be full on educating myself tonight - thanks so much