Bronchiectasis

Yes Julia, most definitely. I, like you, have had this condition since in my 20s and now I find I can't control the volume of my voice. Sometimes I have to make a conscience effort to speak loud enough and another time I'm told I'm shouting. Until I actually start to speak I don't know how my voice will sound.

 

No, I haven't. Purely because I've never heard anyone else say this. I thought it was just me. I may do next time I have to see someone.

Hi Julia,

Yes, this is a problem, I have not done my vocal chords any favours...it seems that coughing and clearing your throat cause the problem, I read it on the web....

If you have a 'flutter' to bring up the sputum, you will have learnt how to 'huff' and that is what you must do, try not to clear your throat which is what damages the vocal chords.

I do hope this helps; also some gentle singing, nothing strenuous, but often.

Blessings,

Lesley

This has happened to me too...but I thought it was perhaps just 'old age'   I have had Brochiectasis since a baby...and now my voice has become weaker...and like one of the other responders, I never know what I am going to sound like until I actually speak...as some days its OK and others VERY soft

I wonder what causes this...perhaps it is all the years off coughing and hiffing etc

I was diagnosed with "mild" bronchiectasis 3 years ago. Was fobbed off as consultant said it was "hardly there" . I was a psychiatric nurse although have left now. I had to do daily handovers and this became difficult as my voice was continually croaky and sometimes i lost my voice altogether. It still happens.

I was diagnosed 7 years ago 2014 and now I have been at my worst,had checks for TB was cleared  in the last year y voice has become very high have seen a throat specialist  who said my voice was normal  how can a person come to this conclusion. When they have only met you for about  15 mins: Have been taking  Manuka. Honey for a year. This has NOT helped my voice  and will not see the point in. Using any more . However there is a chance for an audition for Monty Python and also to stop. Buyingmy. Knickers from Prime mark  fed up with the coughing.   Antibiotics and not wanting to go out. From Er indoors

was referred to a surgeon because of this problem and he has replied to my doctor. I have had a laryngoscopy which showed a normal larynx with possibly a slight hint of presbylaryngis. And told there is nor reason for concern and nothing needs to be done. looked it up and this is what it says

As we age, muscle begins to atrophy. The vocal cords are composed of several important layers of tissue, but the fullness and shape of the vocal folds comes from the vocal cord muscle. Age-related vocal cord changes may include loss of volume and bowing (inward curvature) of the vocal cord inner edges - a diagnosis termed presbylaryngis. This may lead to a gap between the vocal cords during speaking, and other muscles may subsequently squeeze more tightly to compensate for reduced vocal cord closure. Other age-related changes to voice may be related to changes in hormones or mucous glands. Not a lot of help I am afraid