Flu/laryngitis - when will I get my voice back?!

[darkchocolatecoffee]

Anyone had experience of laryngitis?

I got flu like symptoms a couple of weeks ago which over time get better but now I’m left with the sore throat, coughing and worst of all I cannot speak!! I can only whisper at best.

I went to the GP (with my notes written in my phone to show her to save me trying to talk 😂) and it could be laryngitis… I’m having lots of hot drinks, paracetamol etc. GP said no other concerns as she checked a few things and no need for antibiotics.

I’m slightly panicking now as I’ve never had this before and I’ve had a week now of not being able to talk!! And it doesn’t seem to be getting better over this week!

Go to boots or similar and get some Vocalzone throat sweets.
they’re not medicated and we’re deigned for singers apparently.

They are magical for me and help my voice come back from nothing. First recommended to me by a pharmacist when I was a very stressed new teacher. Never without them.

Don’t whisper! Apparently it’ll wreck your voice more. Try to have complete rest (no talking at all- easier said than done) for a few days to see if it returns. If not, you may have to visit a speech therapist to regain your voice.

Thanks both - will try refraining from whispering!
@persisted i got a pack of those recommended from the pharmacist but then saw on the back not recommended if breastfeeding so won’t chance it, such a shame, they sound effective!

I'm in the same boat. G.P said try not to talk so DH has given me a small white board and white board marker to use. Being rather childish I quite often write swear words on it to annoy him.

Good idea @GerardWay123 😂how long have you had yours for? Google says it can take 1-2 weeks to recover 😫

A week so far and no improvement. I had a chest infection before (I had to have antibiotics and an X-Ray for that). According to my GP the Laryngitis 'piggybacked' onto the end of it.

Pineapple juice helps. No idea why.

I've just gone through this after having really bad tonsillitis with the most horrendous non-stop cough ever - I think the two combined must have severely traumatized my voice box or something! I had virtually no voice at all for about 3.5 weeks and it's only been the past 1.5 weeks or so where I've been coughing much less that my voice has been coming back, it still sounds a bit gravely, though.

I think it's the bromelain enzyme which helps. I had a quick google. I'd try the raw fruit (but the "supersweet" type if you can as they're much less tart) so you get the fibre as well as the sugar hit that comes with it. Otherwise warm salt water gargle is great for the throat, sore gums). Hope you feel better soon. 🌹

The bromelain in pineapple juice can help break down mucus and reduce congestion and inflammation. This may provide relief from the pain and discomfort of a sore throat. Bromelain also has antiviral properties , which may help fight off infections that cause a sore throat.

Ooh I’ll try the pineapple juice, I’ve got the same problem. Really sore painful throat, cough, can hardly talk and totally fed up. I’m also struggling to eat and swallow anything, it’s vile 🥴

Oh, one thing that just about kept me sane with the throat pain was a numbing spray called Difflam - it's an nsaid like ibuprofen but topically, so it temporarily eases the pain and inflammation in your throat and you can apply it pretty regularly.

I don't know if this is suitable for pregnant women though, but it might be helpful for others on here to try out of they don't know about it. It works great for really sore mouth ulcers too!

I had this about 2 months ago I could barely talk it I used lozenges honey and lemon and tried not to talk think it lasted couple of weeks more I spoke more it was uncomfortable hope you feel better very soon

Thanks everyone- I had no idea about the pineapple juice. Will try that today!

I have a dodgy vocal cord which always gets upset when I get a cold - pineapple juice was recommended by my speech therapist.