Vocal Cord Damage

FenwayS
FenwayS Member Posts: 11
edited March 2014 in Thyroid Cancer #1
Hello everyone. It has been a while and I hope you are all feeling and doing well.

I would like to know if anyone has experienced the following and if so, can you tell me of your experience and offer any advice?

Apparently I suffered damage to my vocal cords during my July total thyroidectomy. I am unable to speak at times, others no louder than a whisper. Sometimes my voice is okay but not very strong. I have no range and cannot raise my voice at all. I also have difficulty swallowing and cough/gag/choke often.

I have seen two Otolaryngologists in the past two weeks. I was told by one that I have a paralyzed vocal cord and that I must have surgery in order to protect my airway and lungs. He also said that I will not get my normal speaking voice back and will never sing again. (As a singer this news hit me hard.)

I was told by the other that I should have the same surgery but that I need a few other things done as well. He told me that those other things will enable me to have my voice back. This gave me great hope but now I am questioning everything. I do believe in the second doctor as I know the first made a big mistake (identified and scheduled surgery for the wrong vocal cord), and the second doctor is also a renowned surgeon in Boston. But I am afraid of having surgery again for many reasons.

I am seeking a remedy or at least help in alternative medicines. I have recently spoken with a homeopathic nurse who says she cannot help but knows a person who can, using therapies consisting of accupuncture, lasers, magnets, etc. I know it sounds a little off but I would be willing to try it. It's a fraction of the cost of surgery and a far shorter investment in time. Does anyone have any experience with something like this? Am I crazy? Any advice?? Has anyone had the surgery? Are you happy with that decision? Did you get your voice back? Any information is appreciated.

Thanks so much,

Fen
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Comments

  • AuthorUnknown
    AuthorUnknown Member Posts: 1,537 Member
    #2
    Hello,

    You may want to do a search of the CSN website to see if you can find information on this subject. To do this, enter search terms relevant to this issue in the search bar at the top of this page. If you find someone you would like to contact you can do so through the internal CSN email. I wish you the best.

    Take care and be well,

    Dana
    CSN Dana
  • Rustifox
    Rustifox Member Posts: 110
    #3
    I have not experienced this personally, Fen, but there are some members of this group that have;
    http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/

    Some have undergone surgery to assist; some have worked with speech pathologists to learn how to 'train' the vocal cord to work again, and some have seen spontaneous remission of the paralysis.

    Quite frankly, I would stay away from anything that is not medically sound or recommended. It may do further damage, rather than assist, and hamper any possibility of recovering what may be available.

    Speech pathologists can help immensely. It is imperative that you do NOT whisper, if at all possible, as this can also do more damage, as I understand it. There is also therapy available through registered sources such as this:
    http://www.vitalstim.com/indexflash.asp

    Do consider joining Thyca, Fen, if you haven't already. It's free, and you can share wisdom with others in your shoes, some who have expertise on the surgeries and therapies available.

    If you are having swallowing difficulties at times, here is a bookmarked message from that group that may have some ideas for you:
    http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/98785

    Sorry I can't help more, but don't give up - there are solutions, we just need to get you in touch with the people who know them.
  • FenwayS
    FenwayS Member Posts: 11
    #4
    Thank you Dana and Rustifox. I will follow up on your advice. I appreciate all the links. I am sure to find some information that will help one way or another.

    Thanks again,
    Fen
  • mcg1
    mcg1 Member Posts: 10
    #5
    Fen,
    I've just returned to viewing CSN and noticed your message. I have bilateral vocal cord paralysis as a result of a second surgery that removed the second half of my thyroid. I have had VCP since 5/03. I live in the NY/PA area and have been to numerous specialists for options for the condition. I have a voice, although squeeky and not very strong, my difficulty is breathing. My VC are in the shut position leaving only an 1/8th inch opening in the airway. I have refused a treach for various reasons. The only solution I have discovered is an operation to cut one cord and attach it to the side of the airway in a permanent position, leaving a greater opening between the cords which would allow for normal air intake. HOWEVER, there is no assurance of any voice after the operation and the operation is not reversable. Speech therapists will only teach one to breathe more effectively. Accupuncture is not effective because the "nerve of life" which controls breathing and the vocal cords is dead. This is not reversable.
    The "good news" is that you may not have "permanently" damaged vocal cords. Following thyroidectomy or neck trauma, vocal cord damage can reverse on its own between 2 weeks and 1 year.
    Please keep in touch to update us.
    MCG
  • jmathews
    jmathews Member Posts: 1
    #6
    Vocal cord paralysis
    Fen,
    How are you feeling now? I just had a total thyroidectomy 4 weeks ago and I can only whisper for a very short period of time. I was just wondering if you can give me any advise.
    Thanks
    Jeny
  • pk4health
    pk4health Member Posts: 1
    #7
    vocal cord damage
    I have gotten a sluggish vocal cord since my thyroidectomy I cough after drinking a large portion of the time. He said I should recover within a month . My voice changes alot , and when I try to call my dogs in it doesn't work. I am very frustrated with this . It has only been 2 weeks but the vocal cord keeps contracting and it makes me feel like I'm choking. As a yoga teacher, I learned that if I drop my head back and take extremely large breaths in through my mouth the choking sensation subsides. This condition didn't appear until 3 days after surgery
  • Kairol Rosenthal
    Kairol Rosenthal Member Posts: 2
    #8
    Speech Therapy
    I had mild paresis to my vocal chords after my last surgery. I went to an ent who diagnosed the paresis and then prescribed vocal chord therapy with a speech therapist. I went weekly for about two months and did exercises at home. I learned how to breathe differently and how to get more power out of my voice with less effort. It was extremely helpful. They told me that there is only a window of time for improvement, so my advice is if you consider this to be a problem, get it check out by a voice specialist sooner rather than later. Surgeons then to scoff off the problem because they do not want to be blamed for it.
  • virgo139
    virgo139 Member Posts: 1
    #9
    Kairol Rosenthal said:

    Speech Therapy
    I had mild paresis to my vocal chords after my last surgery. I went to an ent who diagnosed the paresis and then prescribed vocal chord therapy with a speech therapist. I went weekly for about two months and did exercises at home. I learned how to breathe differently and how to get more power out of my voice with less effort. It was extremely helpful. They told me that there is only a window of time for improvement, so my advice is if you consider this to be a problem, get it check out by a voice specialist sooner rather than later. Surgeons then to scoff off the problem because they do not want to be blamed for it.

    Vocal Cord Damage
    I was blessed to have a total thyroidectomy in September 2007 at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary with Dr. Gregory Randolph. I was hooked up to a monitor before going up to the operating room and met the man who would have the sole responsibility of monitoring my vocal cords during the surgery. I understand that they are pioneers in this technology. I was amazed. As I result, I didn't have any damage to my vocal cords.
  • galinablanka
    galinablanka Member Posts: 1
    #10
    vocal cords surgery
    Hello, everybody!
    My name is Gala. I have read the posts here and decided to share my concern. I had a surgery n my vocal cords in 2003, the nodules were benign and I felt as if I were born again! It went really well and there were no complications at all. I am a teacher and 6 years after I am facing the same problem! My nodules grew back and it is taking forever to get through to a specialist in McAllen, TX. I have been emailing speech therapists back and forth for a month and a half. My appointment is on 16th of October, however, over the past two month I can tell for sure, my nodules became larger. The question is, should I consider the second surgery or what do I do now? Desperate doesn't describe the feelings and the state of mind I am dealing with right now! Please, share your thoughts, I am begging you!
    Thanks a lot and have a great day!
  • lillypond
    lillypond Member Posts: 3
    #11
    VCD???
    I'm new to this post and was wondering how you're doing? I had a total Thyroidectomy Sept 10th of '09 and having trouble speaking, and I have the cough and some trouble swallowing as well. Everytime I go back to my Doctor he ASSURES me I will get better. He did a vocal test the last time and he did say my right side was weak BUT that I will get better. I think they just hope you do. My voice is weak and by the end of the day, I'm tired form trying to talk. I sound like a squeaky mouse-HAHA! Anyway, my daughter that works for a plastic surgeon said he wanted me to go to a friend of his, ENT that he assures me can help. I live in TX and had my surgery done by a doctor(Dallas) that was highly recommended for my Thyroidectomy. He operated on Celon Dion's husband so I thought, Wow I won't worry about anything, and I got in only through a Doctor friend. I know he's good and I realize this is a risk, VCD, but regardless, surely something can be done to make it better.
    I will be a month and some people say, "Give it time" it may take 6 months---I just can't see myself not being able to talk as before. Let me know how you're doing Jen. Oh I also had Pappillary Carcinoma, very small,like 0.3 CM,found that after that got in there. He said it was so minute that he wasn't even going to treat it. All my margins were clear and everything else was fine.
  • itamurphy
    itamurphy Member Posts: 1
    #12
    jmathews said:

    Vocal cord paralysis
    Fen,
    How are you feeling now? I just had a total thyroidectomy 4 weeks ago and I can only whisper for a very short period of time. I was just wondering if you can give me any advise.
    Thanks
    Jeny

    weak voice
    Hello Fen and Jeny,

    How are you feeling now? I just had a total thyroidectomy on the 21st September 2009 in London Hospital and I can only whisper. I try to be optimistic about my voice back to normal but unknown make me anxious. I hope you can share with me as well.

    Thank you in advance,
    Ita
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #13
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • boodygirl30
    boodygirl30 Member Posts: 1
    #14
    Hello. I had a thyroidectomy in July 2009 and It's now April 2010 and I really do feel great, other than the left vocal cord that is still sluggish which causes me to have a raspy voice. I didn't think it would take nearly this long for it to come back but I just went to the surgeon again for a checkup and he is very confident it is getting better and that my voice will return to normal in time. It has imporved some over the last year so don't give up hope that it may heal on its own. I would wait on another surgery.. that one was a bit hard to get through physically and emotionally for me as I'm sure it was for you so hang in there!
  • jecklehyde
    jecklehyde Member Posts: 33
    #15
    boodygirl30 said:

    Hello. I had a thyroidectomy in July 2009 and It's now April 2010 and I really do feel great, other than the left vocal cord that is still sluggish which causes me to have a raspy voice. I didn't think it would take nearly this long for it to come back but I just went to the surgeon again for a checkup and he is very confident it is getting better and that my voice will return to normal in time. It has imporved some over the last year so don't give up hope that it may heal on its own. I would wait on another surgery.. that one was a bit hard to get through physically and emotionally for me as I'm sure it was for you so hang in there!

    I has Surgery on my Vocal Cords
    Hi. I had my PT and TT in December of 2007, RAI in Feb of 2008. I also heard the same thing from my surgeon that my voice would get better. When I told him I was going to the Thyroid Cancer Survivors Convention last October, he then told me that one of my nerves was damaged during surgery. At the convention, I was given the name of an ENT that specializes in voice disorders. He did some testing and found all my nerves were damaged. Some could have been from surgery and some from trying to compensate my voice for 3 years.
    6 weeks ago, I had gortex implants put on both sides of my vocal cords along will some stretching of the crycoid cartliage. I am a new person! I can now speak again, sing etc. I didn't realize how depressed I was the last three years because of my voice. This was the best thing I ever did and I am forever grateful.
  • gz2
    gz2 Member Posts: 1
    #16
    jecklehyde said:

    I has Surgery on my Vocal Cords
    Hi. I had my PT and TT in December of 2007, RAI in Feb of 2008. I also heard the same thing from my surgeon that my voice would get better. When I told him I was going to the Thyroid Cancer Survivors Convention last October, he then told me that one of my nerves was damaged during surgery. At the convention, I was given the name of an ENT that specializes in voice disorders. He did some testing and found all my nerves were damaged. Some could have been from surgery and some from trying to compensate my voice for 3 years.
    6 weeks ago, I had gortex implants put on both sides of my vocal cords along will some stretching of the crycoid cartliage. I am a new person! I can now speak again, sing etc. I didn't realize how depressed I was the last three years because of my voice. This was the best thing I ever did and I am forever grateful.

    Vocal Chord Damage
    I had my thyroid removed in 2 surgeries. One in Aug 2009 (Right side Enlarged and thought to be cancerous) Left side in February 2010 (because right side biopsy revealed cancer) I had trouble breathing and swallowing before the removal. That's how I found out about the thyroid trouble. Tryin to figure out the reason for the trouble breathing and swallowing.
    After surgery an ENT said that I have paralysis of the right vocal chord, which is the side that had the enlarged thyroid. He said that the vocal chord will probably never heal and that I must deal with the effects which are trouble breathing and swallowing. He also mention surgery to open the right vocal chord a bit, which would give me better air flow, but would also potentially cause me problems choking when drinking so I've opted to just live with what I got. The biggest problem is that I was a fairly decent athlete and because of the restricted airflow, I can no longer participate in fully in athletic activities. That's the biggest drag for me.
  • melwhite2980
    melwhite2980 Member Posts: 3
    #17
    VC Damage
    I too was diagnosed with papillary carcinoma about 2 years ago and found out after thyroidectomy, one of my vocal cords had been damaged and so I saw a otorhynolaryngologist and had what they called a thyroidplasty to repair left vocal cord. Well, that has been about 1 year and a half ago and everything seemed to be fine, but now i found my voice is messing up a lot and in the mornings when I wake up I can barely speak and throughout the day my voice cracks. Should I go back to my otorhinolarnygologist to have him check it out or am I worrying for nothing?
  • skcalkins
    skcalkins Member Posts: 39
    #18
    melwhite2980 said:

    VC Damage
    I too was diagnosed with papillary carcinoma about 2 years ago and found out after thyroidectomy, one of my vocal cords had been damaged and so I saw a otorhynolaryngologist and had what they called a thyroidplasty to repair left vocal cord. Well, that has been about 1 year and a half ago and everything seemed to be fine, but now i found my voice is messing up a lot and in the mornings when I wake up I can barely speak and throughout the day my voice cracks. Should I go back to my otorhinolarnygologist to have him check it out or am I worrying for nothing?

    Mel,
    I would have it check
    Mel,
    I would have it check it just because thats what I would do. I was lucky because my surgeon said that he had to stretch my nerve around my vocal cord since my thyroid or noduce seemed to be stuck to everything. He was very happy to hear me talking so well after surgery. I'll keep you in my prayers, best of luck.
  • melwhite2980
    melwhite2980 Member Posts: 3
    #19
    skcalkins said:

    Mel,
    I would have it check
    Mel,
    I would have it check it just because thats what I would do. I was lucky because my surgeon said that he had to stretch my nerve around my vocal cord since my thyroid or noduce seemed to be stuck to everything. He was very happy to hear me talking so well after surgery. I'll keep you in my prayers, best of luck.

    vocal cord damage
    thank u so much for your input, I made appointment with specialist today and am suppost to go in on the 24th of this month.
  • jecklehyde
    jecklehyde Member Posts: 33
    #20
    melwhite2980 said:

    vocal cord damage
    thank u so much for your input, I made appointment with specialist today and am suppost to go in on the 24th of this month.

    Good Luck
    Good Luck Mel. I am glad you are having it checked again. Sometimes after thyroidplasty, you need adjustments. I don't know if you had the implants or just the injections, but either way you should be able to be helped.

    Let us know what the specialist says.
  • grateful1
    grateful1 Member Posts: 80 Member
    #21
    vocal cord
    I AM A BROADCASSTER. MY VOICE CAME OUT HOARSE. I WAS TOLD BECUZ SOME DRS THOUGHT (MISTKAKENLY I HAD I MIGHT HAVE ANAPLASTIC I WOULD HAVE LOST USE OF MY VOCAL CORDS BY NOW. MY SURGEONS OPERATED HRS IN VEIN AND SAID IT WAS HARD TO STOP SHORT OF REMOVING MY THYROID AND TUMOR AS THEY FELT IT WOULD MAKE ME LOSE MY VOICE. BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS I JUST DID TWO TALK SHOWS AND NOBODY NOTICED THE DIFFERENCE MY VOICE HAS ALMOST RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE DR SAID ALSO THERAPY COULD HELP. I STILL RECALL FELIX UNGER'S PARTER-NAME ESCAPE ME AT THE MOMENT. HE WENT BACK TO WORK WITH A DISTORED VOICE.

    PLS DON'T GET ME WRONG. I AM NOT MAKING LIGHT OF YOUR DISTRESSING SITUATION. YES, I WOULD TRY ANYTHING TO RESTORE MY VOICE BUT I WOULD BE EXTRA CAREFUL WHO I LET TOUCH ME THERE.I WISH YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART YOU GET BACK TO NORMAL. I UNDERSTAND. DRS. AT COLUMBIA I HEAR ANYWAY HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE ALONG THAT LINE. ALSO DR MITCHELL GAYNOR, WHO I ADORE PRACTICES INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE AND WOULD PROBABLY BE OPEN TO DIRECTING YOU. I REALLY DON'T LIKE DIRECTING ANYONE--I ONLY WISH YOU WELL AND CONTINUE TO DO RESEARCH. I AM SURE YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

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