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Damage to vocal cord from Thyroidectomy



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tonjam

				          
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        			    October 25, 2009 - 2:49pm			  			

			
			
I had a thyroidectomy in September of 2008. My voice was very quiet at first and now is still not normal. I have seen an ENT several times times now. I also have breathing problems at times. Surgery is not an option now because the Dr. is concerned about me having even less space to breathe.

Anyone know if the Surgeon is liable when this happens?

Please give me your comments. Thanks


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austinmama

				      
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October 30, 2009 - 1:52pm

			
I also had damage to vocal chord nerves
			
I had my surgery on 9/29.  I knew there was a risk of my voice being softer, whispery, hoarse...things like that.  I didn't realize that I would only be able to whisper after surgery.  My surgeon said that there was a lot of bruising of the vocal chord nerves and some nerves were cut.  It would take up to 5 months to regain my voice.


I've had little improvements in my voice from the beginning.  I'm guessing it will take 3-4 months at this rate to get it back.


You probably signed things at the hospital before the surgery that says you understand all of the risks associated with the surgery.  No one is liable.


You will get your voice back...I know it's difficult...just be patient.



			
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straussu

				      
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October 31, 2009 - 12:33pm

			
damage to nerve leading to voice box
			
I had my surgery (total thyroidectomy) 15 years ago.  My voice was hoarse and the louder I tried to speak, the quieter it came out.  I was told after a month of frustration that the surgeon had damaged one of the nerves leading to the voice box. (Why don't they tell you these things at the beginning?) I took a month's leave of absence from work and went to voice therapy at a speech center in a hospital.  I was limited to the amount of talking I could do each day.  I had exercises and therapy twice a week.  It really helped and after one month, my voice was back to normal.  Maybe you can get the doctor to order voice therapy.  Good luck!



			
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bzufall

				      
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December 15, 2009 - 1:16pm

			
I had my surgery (TT) 7
			
I had my surgery (TT) 7 years ago. I spoke in a whisper for 3 months before my voice came back. It actually came back during my highest dose of RAI. Even to this day I only have one working vocal chord and can't scream. However my voice is strong and I can talk normal again. It is a little lower than it was, but it's totally fine. Have faith!



			
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miladyx

				      
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December 15, 2009 - 2:07pm

			
were your radiation treatments...
			
... effective at eliminating your cancer? was your spread to the lymph nodes? anywhere else?



			
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Jfoga143

				      
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December 15, 2009 - 6:11pm

			
i had my surgery in July 09,
			
i had my surgery in July 09,  i am just now getting my voice back. and it doesnt stay all day.  i have been assured that there was no damage to my vocal cords.  I get out of breath talking very easily.    I went to voice therapy also.   It just takes time.  my voice is a million times better then it was.  i have confidence that it will return.



			
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momofone22

				      
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January 15, 2010 - 7:20pm

			
damage to vocal cords
			
I had a total Thyroidectomy 10-29-01 (9 yrs ago)and I also had the recurrent larygeal nerve severed.  I never regained my old voice back, my voice is weak, and I have to work a little harder to be heard.. especially in loud places.  I would suggest the voice therapy and vocal exercises all the time.  I get frustrated sometimes, but I have to remain positive and work harder to condition my lungs and diaphragm so they can do their job. I had one of my vocal cords injected with a temporary filler, a couple of years ago, and that lasted 6 months, but it became harder to breathe, but my voice was louder for a while.  Keep in touch, im glad I found this site.

Martha.



			
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jecklehyde

				      
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January 21, 2010 - 10:01am

			
Damage to Chords
			
I had my partial and total thyroidectomy 3 years ago. My voice never really came back. I went for 6 months of voice therapy to no avail. My surgeon finally told me one nerve was damaged. After going to the ThyCa conference in October of '09, one of the doctor's gave me the name of a voice specialist. I live in the New York area, so this doctor is out of Cornell Medical Center. He did some tests and found that every nerve is damaged around my chords. He told me I could have the injection, but it would only last around 2 months, so in March he will be putting implants on both sides of my vocal chords. He said I would not get back my original voice, but I would be able to project my voice. Since I work on the phone all day, this is something I really need. Very nervous, but really want to be able to talk normal again.



			
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10acity

				      
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January 29, 2010 - 8:32pm

			
Damage to Chords
			
I had my total thyroidectomy just over two weeks ago and my voice is also far from normal.  I'm told that it may take up to 6 months for my voice/breathing to return to normal.  I understand that there can be damage/paralysis caused to the laryngeal fold which can then take this long to recover.  I can only hope that my surgeon did not cause any permanent damage because I know that this was a major risk of the surgery.  However, the alternative was keeping a Hurtle cell tumour that was almost 5 cm. in size.  Not really much of a choice.    I hope that the implants work for you.  Good Luck!  



			
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10acity

				      
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January 29, 2010 - 8:32pm

			
Damage to Chords
			
I had my total thyroidectomy just over two weeks ago and my voice is also far from normal.  I'm told that it may take up to 6 months for my voice/breathing to return to normal.  I understand that there can be damage/paralysis caused to the laryngeal fold which can then take this long to recover.  I can only hope that my surgeon did not cause any permanent damage because I know that this was a major risk of the surgery.  However, the alternative was keeping a Hurtle cell tumour that was almost 5 cm. in size.  Not really much of a choice.    I hope that the implants work for you.  Good Luck!  



			
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10acity's picture
						
10acity

				      
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January 29, 2010 - 8:33pm

			
Damage to Chords
			
I had my total thyroidectomy just over two weeks ago and my voice is also far from normal.  I'm told that it may take up to 6 months for my voice/breathing to return to normal.  I understand that there can be damage/paralysis caused to the laryngeal fold which can then take this long to recover.  I can only hope that my surgeon did not cause any permanent damage because I know that this was a major risk of the surgery.  However, the alternative was keeping a Hurtle cell tumour that was almost 5 cm. in size.  Not really much of a choice.    I hope that the implants work for you.  Good Luck!  



			
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sandykr

				      
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January 30, 2010 - 1:14pm

			
I am now 7 weeks post
			
I am now 7 weeks post completion thyroidectomy and my voice is still extremely deep, and there are those that say "sexy",  they're just trying to make me feel better.  Twice they checked my vocal cords and assured me that they're fine,

I am a Physical Therapist and I know that a nerve doesn't need to be totally severed to create weakness.......maybe thats the same with the vocal cords, if the nerve was stretched, or pulled.  Hopefully it will just take time.

My range is extremely extremely small, cannot sing at all! and I feel its an effort sometimes to talk...


waiting for improvement.


sandy



			
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