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LPR that causes mostly hoarseness and swollen vocal cords

Posted , 34 users are following.

CoolBreeze
CoolBreeze

My chief complaint is hoarseness and feeling like my vocal cords are always swollen. I have had my vocal cords looked at several times by ENT docs . They always say cords are red and look swollen and I was DX'd with LPR. I am back on twice daily PPI's (prilosec) but it does not seem to be helping that much. I read a post by JPT here about the role pepsin plays in all of this. I have been adding a little baking soda to my drinking water to alkalize for the last two days and this seems to help the hoarseness more than the PPI's so JPT may be on to something here. Seems like twice daily PPI's medical therapy is not of much help to most of us with LPR. I would like to talk to anyone whose chief complaint is loss of voice and frequent hoarseness from LPR and have you found anything that works or helps your condition. It is very depressing and anxiety provoking when you have to strain to talk. It makes your speech very difficult to understand sometimes and then your throat starts to hurt after short periods of talking. It seems like a vicious cycle. I also have an anxiety disorder but I don't think it is playing a major role here in my voice loss. My cords just feel dry and swollen. Help anyone or if you wish to just talk about things you have tried or thinking about trying. Thank you for reading.

4 likes, 54 replies

54 Replies

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  • beth00385
    beth00385 CoolBreeze

    Posted

    I just started with this problem about a week or two ago. My job is mostly talking and by the end of the day im horse and straining to talk it hurts. Now it starts early and the pain is bothering me.

    I tried not to talk yesterday and was fine and wake up fine .

    I had a bad flu and pneumonia so wondering if it's from that. Has anyone been sick prior to this problem?

    • john94486
      john94486 beth00385

      Posted

      Hey Beth! I am just getting over pneumonia myself and from what I can tell, it did affect my voice. I talked from my throat because I was too weak to use my diaphragm muscles. When did you get pneumonia?
  • mirasol84293
    mirasol84293 CoolBreeze

    Posted

    Hi I am currently suffering hoarseness for almost 3 months and as per my doctor i was diagnosed by laryngo pharyngeal reflux. Is there any chance that my becomes normal again i am so worried because i am currently working and it greatly affects my work.
  • bryan81951
    bryan81951 CoolBreeze

    Posted

    please tell me if you dounf a cure for the hoarse voice and the harsh speech that comes with this sad this has been going on with me for a year and a half and im so exhausted and depressed.

    • jean36938
      jean36938 bryan81951

      Posted

      You need to get a diagnosis with ENT consultant. Camera procedure is relatively painless.dont suffer in silence! Then see my posts to other people . Cheers Jean
    • CoolBreeze
      CoolBreeze bryan81951

      Posted

      Hi bryan81951,

      I am sorry I have not been back to update. I am still struggling with my voice. I purchased an ultrasonic cool mist humidifier and that seems to be helling a little. How have you been doing Bryan? Have you been able to find anything that helps? If yes, please share.

  • angela78766
    angela78766 CoolBreeze

    Posted

    hi there, I too have developed this problem.  I wonder if it is genetically related...as in if this runs in your family, i think it might be the case with me...and as you say its quite embarassing to speak when you have to strain it...what relief does the NHS provide? medication and drugs is not the answer, but Im sure they know this too.. yet there seems to be nothing else ... of substance...taking drugs only gets you addicted!! 
    • Claire2455
      Claire2455 angela78766

      Posted

      I'm trying melatonin and Rolaids b4 bed. Its been about 2 week, I have noticed some improvement smile Not coughing near as much! Vocal cords feel more functional.

      Just learned about pepsin, going to start researching that soon.

      I'm going to add probiotics and maybe licorice extract to the mix. I'm finally feeling hopeful!

  • CoolBreeze
    CoolBreeze

    Posted

    Hi everyone,

    I am sorry I have not been back to update. I am still struggling with my voice. I purchased an ultrasonic cool mist humidifier from Amazon. That seems to be helping a little. If anyone else has found anything that has helped them with this very frustrating problem, please share.

  • angela78766
    angela78766 CoolBreeze

    Posted

    i have had an endoscopy and found out that i have little nodules on my vocal cords... going today to the ENT to have a specialist consultant now look to see what treatment i would need...a biopsy looks certain.  I have had this hoarseness early this year, after I belted out singing and playing my guitar during one church service....that must have been it.....just like Adele smile
  • mark71823
    mark71823 CoolBreeze

    Posted

    I have to say I feel I've got more support from this site than the GPS as I felt I was the only person with this condition. I have some days when I feel as though I've beaten it as symptoms are very mild and others when I don't want to socialise due to my hoarse/ sore throat. I find chewing gum helps a bit!

    • ishan06366
      ishan06366 mark71823

      Posted

      Exactly ..chewing gums help me.So when ever I feel I have to talk someone more than 10 mins I go with chewing gums.But have never been able to find permanent solution. I am not able to talk properly since last 2 years.Also I have notice when I'm breathing faster I dont feel the pain

  • gwen45436
    gwen45436 CoolBreeze

    Posted

    You get no support from GPs you have to come to places like this.  Gets you down.
  • stephen_57
    stephen_57 CoolBreeze

    Posted

    I have exactly the same. I have we ended myself off the ppi tablets because I am trying to do things with the good diet approach. I was diagnosed with Barratts esophagus a few weeks back. According to the doctor who put the tube down me he said I was fine only 2cm change and that to come back in around 2 Yr s time. That's if I wanted to. He said if I was on pis to keep taking them indefinitely. Anyway the diet approach does seem to be working except for the hoarseness and I swear I seem to be slurring alot. I have had other things going on and have had some strong painkillers. Maybe that makes me slur a bit. Trouble you start to wonder if that's connected to the hoarseness. But as you said I seem to have to shout a bit or talk loudly otherwise I don't seem to be able to get my words out. Any body's dad or having similar problems

  • lisa609
    lisa609 CoolBreeze

    Posted

    I have the hoarseness and couching. Just seen the dr and will be going on meds. My vocal cords are very swelled but have no sore throat unless I have to talk a lot or louder. I do not have acid reflux but will be taking meds for that. And yes it is worse when laying down so when I get up in the morning I have barely any voice. Will let u know how this turns out for me. 
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