Constant Hoarseness

[oldcoastie]

Having undergone CABG twice during the past 10 years, along with assorted other vascular procedures, I have developed a frightening disorder.  As I sit down to visit with anyone, or speak for more than a short time on the phone, I become hoarse & almost inaudible, generally having to terminate the conversation.  In about an hour, or, whenever I drink a couple of beverages ( like beer), my voice becomes almost normal again.  I do take Furosemide and Omeprazole among other medications.  Does this sound like GERD to you, even I don't experience any chest pain or other acid-type discomfort & what  would you recommend as a relief of this problem?

Thank you.

[National Jewish]

This could be caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but that would be surprising without an associated harsh cough.  More likely you have a problem with your vocal cords.  You should have a doctor skilled in fiberoptic laryngoscopy look at your voice box.

[Inanga]

hi i occasionally have something similar - in my case it's mucous travelling down to the vocal area. I get that from reacting to some foods. I take liquid claratyne (laratidine) antihistamine which dries up the mucous. I am on an elimintaion diet to identify the foods responsible - it's cleared me right up.

some of the things that give me lots of mucus are minty toothpaste, tea & coffee, dishwasher soaps (these all contain salicylates). Can you identify pattern at all? Could you be drinking coffe or something at the time of the espisodes? Do the people you visit use air fresheners? cleaning chmicals? dish washing soaps? garden plants? Mowed grass..? there are main potential causes

good luck and keep an open mind and keep investigating!

[HacknCough]

I suffered with excess phlegm since 2001 when I had a uvuloectomy and tonsillectomy. Actually, my problem probably started before then as I’m not sure the phlegm didn't steer me toward the surgery.

I was diagnosed with asthma and have slowly from 2001 to 2006 increased my doses of asthma medication as my symptoms worsened. I found my self wheezing almost constantly. I also frequently had to clear my throat. (Most recently at a rate of once every minute.) I had so much **** (heavy thick mucus/phlegm) in my throat all the time that it took all of my energy to get through the day. My voice was also affected. I would get hoarse because the crud would coat my vocal cords. I couldn’t sing which I love to do. I never really felt good. Not for a very long time.

Things got to the point where I began to wonder if this was the beginning of the end for me. I couldn't envision living like this for years to come.

I have seen five different doctors in three different clinics during this time. None of the docs could understand why my asthma and phlegm seemed to get worse despite the fact that I was taking the increasingly larger doses of asthma Rx's. Things came to a head recently and I went to Mayo clinic hoping for something...anything that would alleviate my symptoms.

IT WAS POST NASAL DRIP!!! The doc at Mayo spoke with me for 15 minutes and looked in my throat and mentioned that I had a little bit of post nasal drip. He also said he doubted that I had asthma at all. I assured him that I did as I carried and used my albuterol inhaler frequently in addition to Singulair and Advair. He had me tested for asthma and I didn't even have asthma!

I have been on two nasal sprays now for 2 and 1/2 weeks. Fluticasone Propionate and Ipratropium Bromide as well as over the counter Claritin tablets and Nasal Crom. My symptoms are GONE! I am more keenly aware of the post nasal drip but that is not bothering me at all compared to what I've been suffering with previously. By the way I stopped all asthma medication the day I started the nose sprays. The doctor was right. I have not had any asthma what so ever since I started the nose sprays.

No clearing my throat constantly, no wheezing or asthma, no hoarseness. Nothing. I am feeling as healthy as I ever have and relieved beyond what words can convey.

I looked at the postings here when I was trying to find answers and was alarmed that there are so many people that are suffering like I was. It was amazing that so many people had similar symptoms to mine with no answers for their plight. I was very worried and concerned. Hopefully, this will steer at least one person somewhere in the right direction. I don't believe for a second that this is everyone's problem. I didn't suspect post nasal drip as the cause of my problem for a second. I remember telling my doctors repeatedly that I felt like I was drowning slowly in my own fluids. That as it turns out, wasn't terribly far from the truth. A few squirts in the nose morning and evening and I have found relief such that I would have envisioned only with a miracle.

[borninquisitive]

Did your voice ever cut out, especially with the first word/two of a sentence or quickly/briefly move to a high pitch tone and end just as quickly?

I too had a tonsillectomy (April this year) and my voice still isn't right. I believe I have LPR (taking prilosec)and post nasal drip (for which I am trying to keep clear).

Still, I don't sound right. However, better in that I am clearing my throat of phlegm for hours.
My words don't sound as "sharp" & defined (abit lispy sounding).