Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi there, someone else with RA just mentioned they got inflammation of their vocal chords through RA. I am so stunned because I have lost my voice for the last 9 weeks and hadn't seriously considered it could be related to my RA. Does anyone else have this problem?
2 likes, 12 replies
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sonya78375
Posted
Paula2212 sonya78375
Posted
Interesting to read your post. My mother is I the same, and increased dose a few months ago. Often has dry sore throats and feels the need to clear her throat, including odd voice at times. Interested in you doctors view but wishing you all the best.
sonya78375 Paula2212
Posted
Thank you Paula. I really feel for your mum and you, it feels like a bit of your identity - your voice. I have been looking it up searching internet and apparently more than 35% of people with RA get voice problems, because there is actually a joint by your voice box! If you search 'hoarse voice RA' you will see heaps. I still don't know about fixing it or for sure it's that for me (rather likely I would say) but will let you know.
sonya78375 Paula2212
Posted
Hi Paula, doctor agrees probably RA but I'm off to hospital sometime for xray and other investigations. I'm sure it's RA and will go away when the other inflammation does. Hope your mum's doing better on increased dose. x
Paula2212 sonya78375
Posted
Hi Sonya. Hope your Dr was able to put your mind at rest and I'm sure the tests will too. Mum doesn't seem to be any different on the MXT at the 15mg or 20 to be honest and if anything, the increased dose seems to be a bit harder for her to tolerate. Much more tried and quite a lot of bruising. Doesn't this disease take its toll? Ideally, would love to be able to reduce prednisolone and manage RA that way but think that's unlikely. Never mind, we can all support each other which is a great thing. Take care and keep in touch. Paula,
Paula2212 sonya78375
Posted
Amazing! Thank you Sonya. I guess given all the other things that RA can cause, it's maybe one of the least worse things. Unless one songs for a living of course 😊 Keen to know how you get on. Take care.
timothy11402 sonya78375
Posted
nathalie.b sonya78375
Posted
andrew83599 sonya78375
Posted
I see it has been 4 months since you posted this but I have had similar issues and thought this might be worth flagging up to you. I am a classical singer and have been trying to reduce and come off my methotrexate recently. I eventually managed to come off and found my voice improved significantly, sharper and more powerful with less mucous. However I had to restart it due to a flare up of inflammatory problems and my voice is back to being slightly croaky and less powerful again. Exactly as it was before in fact.
sonya78375 andrew83599
Posted
Hi Andrew!! I did get more information and it may help you. I went and saw an ENT specialist a couple of weeks ago (my voice has been bad for 5 months now), and you are absolutely right - my voice issue is from methotrexate in a roundabout way. He put a camera down my throat (via nose) and took photos that showed I have had silent reflux - 'silent' in that I did not feel the pain. This was caused by all the anti-inflammatories and prednisone I was on when extremely disabled by RA just before I started methotrexate about 5 months ago (I am still on prednisone but less and I only stopped the anti-inflams after this consultation with ENT). So, this reflux burns around your vocal chords, so it's all swollen and the chords can't meet and make a clear sound. The ENT said that the methotrexate has probably stopped the throat healing up while it keeps getting burned. It was supposed to be good news because all I have to do now is be on omeprezone(zole? sorry can't remember but it's just an anti-indigestion thing) to stop the reflux happening and I am supposed to get my voice back. I'm just a bit disappointed this hasn't happened yet, but as it's only two weeks I guess I have to be patient. Actually there is a real improvement though. So.. is it possible this could be what's happening for you too? The ENT said he had seen RA of voice box and it's very rare but quite easy to pick. So if you can see an ENT that would be really good, or just ask your GP for an anti-indigestion med. I feel for you as your voice is obviously your career tool as it is for me in a different way. It's been so tiring trying to make it work. All the best.
sonya78375
Posted
So what I mean is you can get RA in voice box, but that's not what I have. I have RA but it's the meds doing this.
lisa36739 sonya78375
Edited
i have recently and now experience laryngitis for no other reason as I'M not sick or anything so not sure what to think not to mention the bruises that are unexplained. I'm wondering if it is all related to the methotrexate?