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Health

Have lost my voice.

(15 Posts)
MayBee70 Sun 17-Dec-23 17:23:30

This has been happening over a long period of time but I’ve got to the point now where I struggle to talk towards the end of the day. My voice seems to have got deeper and I’m constantly clearing my throat. I know I should see my doctor but I don’t fancy having cameras down my throat. A few years ago I would have been able to make a quick appointment with my doctor and probably would have done that.I don’t think I’m suffering from gastric reflux. I know several of my friends who are a bit older than me have croaky voices so I assume it’s just an age thing. The thing I miss most is reading to my grandchildren. I’ve tried not talking at all which is probably a relief to everybody but that doesn’t seem to help.

Grandyma Sun 17-Dec-23 17:57:36

You should definitely see your GP. I think you know that.

Primrose53 Sun 17-Dec-23 21:40:13

I have forgotten the name of the procedure but I had a tube put up my nose and down my throat in the summer. Like you, I was getting hoarse, losing my voice.

They said there was no sign of anything sinister but my voice is still quite hoarse. I try to drink plenty of fluids as I seem worse when my throat is dry.

M0nica Sun 17-Dec-23 22:24:04

You will never know the problem unless you see a doctor. If the problem is trivial then the sooner you are reassured the better, if the problem is serious, the quicker it is dealt with the better.

Shelflife Sun 17-Dec-23 22:44:52

Sound advise Monica.

cornergran Sun 17-Dec-23 22:45:06

Our goddaughter had a similar issue. Was referred by her GP to a to a speech and language therapist who was able to help her overcome the issue. All caused by tension in her case. Sometimes understanding the ‘why’ of things is all we need.

Oreo Sun 17-Dec-23 23:05:11

I don’t think you need an endoscopy OP as you’d know if you had acid reflux.
Many older women do get deeper voices, part of the menopause and lack of oestrogen, also getting a bit hoarse and dry throat.Sometimes caused by medications.
Talk less, and now and then take honey in your tea.

VioletSky Sun 17-Dec-23 23:17:26

Please go to the doctor!

Your health is important and as much as some procedures are uncomfortable, they are soon over

MayBee70 Sun 17-Dec-23 23:17:50

The thing is I used to see my doctor all the time. But since the pandemic I’ve found that I (or my dog) will have the sort of problem that I would have seen a doctor or vet about but, because it’s so difficult to see a doctor these days I find it usually resolves itself. Eg my teeth were really sensitive recently. I struggled to drink anything, even warm drinks. I nearly made an emergency appointment with my dentist because I feared that I needed a root canal filling, but was going away for a couple of weeks. During that time it just resolved itself. Dog’s had a couple of small lumps that I was worried about but, knowing what would happen if I went to the vets I waited for a while and, thankfully they’ve gone. So I’m trying to not do my worst case scenario thing.

MayBee70 Sun 17-Dec-23 23:32:26

Oreo

I don’t think you need an endoscopy OP as you’d know if you had acid reflux.
Many older women do get deeper voices, part of the menopause and lack of oestrogen, also getting a bit hoarse and dry throat.Sometimes caused by medications.
Talk less, and now and then take honey in your tea.

My partner talks for England. If I don’t talk too he’ll say ‘have I upset you’ even if I’ve already said I’m trying not to talk because of my voice. And if he’s not here he phones me so I still have to talk. I’m quite pleased to have an excuse to not have to chat constantly to be honest! Going to use some Beconase tonight to rule out a post nasal drip. And gargle with aspirin.

HelterSkelter1 Mon 18-Dec-23 04:30:51

Make an appt with the GP for January MayBee. It will only continue to be a source of worry...and that tension could make it feel worse.
I had an ENT appt where a tiny camera was used. I wasn't expecting it and it was no problem at all and so quick. I don't know if that classesd as an endoscopy, but I hardly was aware of it. I do think it is something you should have investigated. If it is nothing to worry about at least you may get some tips to help cope with it.

Primrose53 Mon 18-Dec-23 09:02:53

The procedure I had was a transnasal endoscopy. I wasn’t expecting it, he just said he was doing it and would only take minutes. It was better than when they put camera down your throat for which I had to be sedated.

Jane43 Mon 18-Dec-23 09:13:46

My husband recently had a swallowing problem and had to have the camera down his throat; he was very nervous about it so I went in with him. The consultant could see my husband was nervous and was so good and reassuring, he told my husband exactly what would happen and when it was over my husband said he didn’t know what he was worried about. Start the ball rolling and see your GP if only to put your mind at rest.

choughdancer Mon 18-Dec-23 09:26:20

As others have said, do go to the doctor.

My brother lost his voice for a few months before going to the doctor. He was referred for scans, and had a lump pushing his vocal cords out of shape. He had a minor operation and almost immediately his voice started to come back, and no pain!

He was dreading going to the doctor and put it off, but now is very glad he did.

fancythat Mon 18-Dec-23 16:45:18

Look at it this way.
If you make the appointment tomorrow, if it was anything like my appointment, [I knew I would be bottom of the pile as I had had something for 18 months], the appointment will be for Tues 2 Jan.
Come 1 Jan, you will likely be pleased you have the appointment booked for the following day.