Vocal cords not vibrating, 5+ months post-treatment

aak16
aak16 Member Posts: 24
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I had my 29th radiation treatment on August 18th so it's been 5 months since the end of treatment.  I had a hoarse voice before I started and I still haven't gotten my full voice back. My ENT and radiation oncologist both said my voice would be better after radiation; I was expecting for my voice to be at about 80%.  I would say my voice is at no more than 50% now. I saw a laryngologist who said my throat is still swollen, irritated and healing and that it could take up to a year for it to heal.  She said that right now my vocal cords aren't vibrating and that's what's causing my weak/hoarse voice. She said they may still improve after all of the swelling as gone down, however she doesn't think they'll completely restore function. She also said there isn't much they can do to restore the vibration of the vocal cords. She has some tricks to try that may or may not help, but there is no fix for it.  I feel like I didn't even have radiation as strong as other people who have regained more of their voices back so I don't know why my vocal cords got so damaged.  I'm wondering how long it took some of you to regain most of your voice back. I can talk to people but I can't raise my voice and I can't be heard in loud places unless I'm right next to someone. It's frustrating to me because I'm a teacher and am always using my voice. Luckily my current position allows me to mostly work with small groups, but I would never go back to having my own classroom with a voice like this. I'm getting tired of people always commenting or asking about losing my voice and I'd rather not have to deal with that forever.  If I knew there was hope for improvement after a year, I'd feel more optimistic. 

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #2
    I hear you

    aak16

    I can barely hear you, you write quiet too. I am sorry, not funny.

    Seriously, I did have the quiet voice, could not depend on voice for phone calls, it was a real pain.  I did have very good results from voice lessons, but I also think I was vibrating, vibrating sounds important.  If one doctor says “no luck” you might consider a 2nd opinion from someone familiar with H&N treatments.  Maybe, she is correct, I do not know.

    It will do you no good to compare yourself to other H&N members, some of those cowboys are out riding the range, eating salsa, singing and spitting. I am not one of them.

    You sound like a good teacher and if you have to modify your type of work, then I am sure you will be successful. 

    I still see improvements and I am going on 6 years post.  The first year is baby steps (for most of us, NOT ALL).

    Please don’t give up and  if the current news wasn’t so blasted scary I would say your picture is cute.

    Matt

  • SuzJ
    SuzJ Member Posts: 427 Member
    #3
    Froggie!

    In the mornings, I croak, can barely get anything out. I turn music on LOUD in the car, and sing at the top of my voice - of course, like you, I am very quiet, and whereas I used to be able to sing, I would never let anyone hear me now.

    Midday, not too bad, afternoon and evening, I slowly turn into kermit and croak. - or at least, thats what it feels like. (sounds like to me)

     

    Speech therapy seems to be helping, they addressed my voice, or lack of, as well as working on my swallowing.

  • MrsBD
    MrsBD Member Posts: 615 Member
    #4
    Did I wake you?

    That's what people ask when I answer the phone in the morning.  I just tell them it's my morning voice. Three years after treatment ended, it's still a bit unpredictable. I definitely can't sing anymore, but have met professional singers who are able to perform again. I'm back to teaching part time and have enough strength in my voice for those hours. It just takes time and maybe a little voice coaching. I avoid salty food, which can cause tissue swelling, and keep well hydrated, too.

  • aak16
    aak16 Member Posts: 24
    #5
    MrsBD said:

    Did I wake you?

    That's what people ask when I answer the phone in the morning.  I just tell them it's my morning voice. Three years after treatment ended, it's still a bit unpredictable. I definitely can't sing anymore, but have met professional singers who are able to perform again. I'm back to teaching part time and have enough strength in my voice for those hours. It just takes time and maybe a little voice coaching. I avoid salty food, which can cause tissue swelling, and keep well hydrated, too.

    When your voice is your profession...

    It seems like every day that I talk to someone new, whether on the phone or in person, I have to come up with an answer to the question of if I'm losing my voice or sick.  Since you mentioned that you're a teacher, are you able to raise your voice in class when it's at its strongest? Like to talk over kids when they're doing group work? Or do you have to nonverbally get their attention first to make sure they're listening to you?  My doctor said that speech therapy won't help the vocal cords if they're not vibrating Undecided  Didn't think about avoiding salty food. I have stopped drinking much caffeine.

  • aak16
    aak16 Member Posts: 24
    edited February 2018 #6
    SuzJ said:

    Froggie!

    In the mornings, I croak, can barely get anything out. I turn music on LOUD in the car, and sing at the top of my voice - of course, like you, I am very quiet, and whereas I used to be able to sing, I would never let anyone hear me now.

    Midday, not too bad, afternoon and evening, I slowly turn into kermit and croak. - or at least, thats what it feels like. (sounds like to me)

     

    Speech therapy seems to be helping, they addressed my voice, or lack of, as well as working on my swallowing.

    Hey Froggie

    I can't even sing at the top of my voice because when I try, nothing comes out. I'm not sure if singing the loudest I can at the tone that comes out the loudest would help? I wish I did have some exercises or something to try. My doctor said speech therapy won't help if the vocal cords aren't vibrating Undecided

  • aak16
    aak16 Member Posts: 24
    #7
    CivilMatt said:

    I hear you

    aak16

    I can barely hear you, you write quiet too. I am sorry, not funny.

    Seriously, I did have the quiet voice, could not depend on voice for phone calls, it was a real pain.  I did have very good results from voice lessons, but I also think I was vibrating, vibrating sounds important.  If one doctor says “no luck” you might consider a 2nd opinion from someone familiar with H&N treatments.  Maybe, she is correct, I do not know.

    It will do you no good to compare yourself to other H&N members, some of those cowboys are out riding the range, eating salsa, singing and spitting. I am not one of them.

    You sound like a good teacher and if you have to modify your type of work, then I am sure you will be successful. 

    I still see improvements and I am going on 6 years post.  The first year is baby steps (for most of us, NOT ALL).

    Please don’t give up and  if the current news wasn’t so blasted scary I would say your picture is cute.

    Matt

    Thanks Matt

    My oncologist and his nurse had good things to say about the laryngologist I saw and she seemed like she has quite a bit of experience treating patients who have had radiation therapy. However, if at the end of the year she says that there's nothing we can do, I'll probably extend my search location-wise to try to find someone better. My doctor said speech therapy won't help if the vocal cords aren't vibrating. With all of the other medical advances they have these days, you would think they could fix this problem!  Surprisingly, I am fine otherwise (other than being somewhat tired)- I can eat spicy foods and it doesn't bother my throat at all.  I guess it makes me hopeful that you're still seeing improvements 6 years out, however that seems like an awfully long recovery time! It is nice to hear similar experiences from people on here because I no one else who has gone through this or understands.

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