Hoarse Voice / Loss of Pitch

[DM2U]

Hello,

During 4th of July week, we went to NY.  After two days, I woke up one morning in the hotel with my voice sounding hoarse.  It was similar to what could happen when you have a bot of cold and cough.

It is about 3 weeks and my voice has still not become normal.  It is still hoarse, cracking and totally fades away (chokes in the throat) when I try to talk at a high pitch.  I have been doing domestic remedies such as saline water gargles couple of times a day, having lemon tea with honey, having ginger juice with honey but nothing has helped out so far.

I saw an ENT specialist last week and he recommended Mucinex to thin down the mucous.  Since I have post-nasal drainage problem for last 8+ years, he felt that my continuous urge to clear throat of sticky mucous has possibly caused this situation.

I am taking Mucinex two tablets twice a day but I still continue to have significant concern.  I have post-nasal discharge problem for 8+ years and NEVER EVER it has happened to me where my vocal abilities have been partially damaged / impaired.

Does any one have a qualified medical opinion as to what is going with me?  My job is depended upon my ability to communicate with my clients and it is very critical to earning my 'bread and butter'.  

Do you think that my ENT's diagnosis and prescription is going to do me good or should I be looking at something else?

[Throat]

I have EXACTLY the same things going on. Nothing my doctor is doing is helping either. I hope you will let me know if you have found a solution.

Good luck to you,

Todd in Wisconsin

[Carol in PA]

It's possible that the problem with your voice is due to infection/inflammation of the nerves to the larynx (voice box).
If the laryngeal nerves are weakened due to injury or infection, you may have weak voice or hoarseness.
See this:  

I think you should go back to the physician, and let him know that his recommended treatment, Mucinex, is not helping you.  If you don't tell him, he'll never know.  
You can say that a friend thought you might be having problems with the nerves to the vocal cords, and can he check that.
If you go in saying that you asked around online, and this is what you think it is, he's likely to react badly.

Here is some other information that you may be interested in.
Serrapeptase is an enzyme that can reduce the inflammation of sinus infections, and thin the mucous.  I know of several others on a health board who have tried this with good results.
You can google for Serrapeptase.
Here is one site, with information about research.  
If you decide to buy some, look around for a vendor with a good price.
(This is not a prescription item.)

BTW, you asked for a "qualified medical opinion" on a patient to patient forum.
I'm a retired R.N. with some experience in doing patient assessments.
If you'd like the opinion of a physician, you can post on one of the Doctor-to-Patient forums, like the Respiratory Disorders forum, or the Undiagnosed Symptoms forum.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums.htm

Let me know what happens, okay?
Wishing you the best,
Carol

[myproblem]

I was losing my voice for months, and thought it was due to asthma and allergies. It turned out to be due to reflux. I didn't really realize I had a problem with it until my Dr. suggested I try prevacid for a month. Within a few days my voice was getting better. By the end of the month it was perfect again. I now take prevacid every day. Prilosec works too.