throat clearing and voice problems

[queenrollo]

Juts posting in case anyone else has experienced this and can offer support or advice.

For about three years now I have had a persistent problem with mucus in my throat. It's thick and sits on my vocal cords and the only way to shift it has been to clear my throat and cough. I HAVE to do this or I cannot talk at all.

I have seen the GP several times. After being treated with antihistamines and then ENT ruling out sinus issues or post-nasal drip I was put on omeprazole which made no difference and then basically I wa told it was 'one of those things' and offered no further investigations or treatment options.
The problem has not gone away and now after all this time it is actually affecting my voice.
I sing for fun with musician friends and in the last few months I have suddenly lost a large part of my range particularly top end and have had to stop.

Then two weeks ago my husband commented that my voice sounds very different. It's haorse/raspy. I find my throat hurts - both sore and muscular when I either talk for a long time or am reading bedtime story.
Mt GP's response to this was to give me antibiotics, which have done nothing - because it's not an infection!

What now? I think I have nodules on my cords from this repeated throat clearing.
I feel very low about this, especially the thought of having lost my singing voice completely.

I personally have no experience but I have read in internet that some singers use mucinex (guaifenesin) before concert for exactly the same reason as yours. I'll post a link if I can find it again.

Here is the link- who knows it might help
www.valeriedaysings.com/blog/the-singers-guide-to-staying-hydrated

Oh that's interesting reading. I have been working at staying hydrated and avoiding foods that might aggravate my issue but I'd not come across that approach.

Did ENT put a camera down your throat? I had a similar problem, ( have constant post nasal drip, assumed it was that) and turned out to be a cyst on my vocal cord. Had it removed under GA, voice now back to normal.

Did ENT put a camera down your throat? I had a similar problem, ( have constant post nasal drip, assumed it was that) and turned out to be a cyst on my vocal cord. Had it removed under GA, voice now back to normal.

You need a referral to ENT.

There are other drugs that thin mucus. Carbocysteine (sp?) is one.

You need better care then you're getting.

If the GP doesn't want to refer straight back to ENT, could you ask for a referral to speech & language therapy? They will definitely be able to give you advice on how to reduce problems with repeated throat clearing etc, and hopefully then be able to further refer you.

I had to jump through a SALT hoop to end up with an ENT referral for a possible throat issue. They really couldn't do anything for me themselves but it meant I had someone qualified confirm there was something to investigate, and that got me moved on in the system.

I second speech therapy. They see lots of different variants of this and help and also can refer you on in the correct direction.

@olivo no they didn't. They were investigating it as a sinus issue, so I had camera up the nose and an MRI. It was still worth it as I ended up with finally having a chronic pain issue diagnosed as Persistent Idiopathic Face Pain.
Because they ruled out sinus problems they bounced me back to the GP to investigate the gastric route and that just stalled.

@DonLewis yes, i've been left to it really. I could have pushed harder but have had so much going on in the rest of my life that it was one of those battles that has been shelved.

@Lellochip and @ChavvySexPond i'm happy to go the SALT route if it means I get answers and some help in the meantime.

A friend who works in thie field indirectly said it sounds like the chronic throat clearing has caused muscle tension dysphonia but she can't diagnose and says I need to see a specialist.

I am trying so hard to rest my voice and not shout but I had to raise my voice at my young son yesterday as he was about to do something silly (he was too far out in the garden for me to use a normal level voice) and had a sore throat for the rest of the day as if I had been singing in a concert crowd for hours.

With Covid I'm not expecting referals any time soon though.

Hi. I had this but not as bad as yours. I cut down massively on dairy and it’s no longer a problem. I don’t want to cut it out entirely as don’t want to become completely intolerant to it but now use oat milk or coconut milk for tea and cereal, and I avoid milkshakes, creamy sauces, etc. I still eat cheese but less of it, and still treat myself to an ice-cream. The mucus does start up again when I eat them but to a lesser extent as I am conscious of what I am eating. Obviously yours might not be related to dairy at all but just wanted to share as my throat clearing was driving me (and DH) nuts, and this has helped massively.

@Jerble i've never consumed lots of dairy anyway. I've used oat milk for a couple of years now and barely eat any cheese/other dairy and have seen very little improvement which is annoying!

Oh that’s a shame. Worth a try! Hope you find an answer soon.

I'm had similar to you my voice got very raspy and husky at times was quite worrying actually.
I had an gastroscopy and was found to have candida in the throat/eosophagus which was the cause of the problem.

@kissmelittleass thank you for sharing. This is why I am keen to get it checked properly. I just want to know what the problem is and if I can do anything to either fix it or if I have to get used to this being my voice now.

Finally my GP agreed to place an ENT referal.
I have an appointment for December. I know the NHS is obviously under extra strain due to Covid disruption and my problem isn't urgent but I am feeling down about this as I feel by then the damage will be worse. Am worried that I won't be able to sing any more :(

I thought I would update this in case anyone else finds the thread in a search.

I had a phone Consult with the specialist in August and she says I definitely need to be examined with the scope, but because of Covid they are not doing any nasal/throat exams at all. So I am no further forward in getting answers, my voice is still deteriorating and realistically I'm not expecting them to restart physical exams for this until Covid risk is considered tiny.
I think I have to accept now that I will never sing again.

I saw on Youtube, a singer recommendation about not clearing your throat. I can't seem to link any more, but it comes up if you look for -

singer how to clear your throat.

I’ve been the same. I was putting it down to acid reflux eating away at my vocal chords. I’ve never spoke to my goad there is no point. Unless you are half dead he does nothing. I didn’t know you could get mucus thinning meds. That’s interesting as I get dizzy when I eat dairy. With heart palpitations if I go way OTT with dairy. Perhaps I would benefit from thinners so I could once again enjoy the odd mr Kipling slice without feeling dizzy later!

@omega3 I've been watching a few youtube videos on exercises etc to try and help myself. I do also have a friend who has some experience in this field and she has advised me too, but part of the problem is that if I am on a phonecall or talking to someone in person and my cords get clogged up I can't be there hummning hard until it clears! Taking a sip of water doesn't help either.
Where possible at all other times I am not clearing my throat hoping to avoid doing any more damage.

Yes, I can see that.

I really hope you can access some proper help soon.

I have a similar issue and have had a similar experience with the GP. I have been given antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays, antacids, and had a camera up my nose/down my throat. Have been told its probably because my septum is a little wonky so the very back of one of my nostrils is narrower than the other but that its just one of those things. I've had it for years and I just deal with it now as annoying as it is.

Hi, I sympathise. I spend much time in the mornings clearing my throat. It's very frustrating. I have post nasal drip which I've learned to live with, but what makes a huge difference is hydration. How much are you drinking? I drink water throughout the day and drink a large glass of water at bedtime which really helps me. Also avoid citrus and dairy. I used to love singing but my voice is gone now.

Well I'm bewildered why ENT aren't doing scopes, dh is a Gastro Consultant and he is doing gastroscopies. And yes his procedures are aerosol generating but he wears a mask and visor. How frustrating for you and another example of how patients are not getting the tests and diagnosis they need because of fears about Covid.

updating this to say there is no update. They are still not doing scopes and I just have to wait until they call me.
My voice has deteriorated markedly and of course now we are back to homeschooling so I can't even rest it during the day.
Fed up.

(my husband was incredibly ill shortly after I last posted and getting him help and treatment was so stressful because Covid has just taken over everything. Don't get ill with anything other than Covid - you will get fobbed off until the point it is dangerous or fatal)

@queenrollo So sorry to hear you are no further forward with this. I know this is terrible, but while the NHS grinds to a halt, lots of private practice is going ahead. Is there any hope you could see a specialist privately?

I have a similar issue and find it so embarrassing if anyone is nearby, and beyond frustrating if I’m alone. Initially the GP suggested it was in my mind but at my ENT exam I had the camera down my throat. They said all my anatomy looked normal and were just withdrawing the camera which brought along with it the most disgusting, long string of mucus. I was absolutely mortified and apologised profusely but the consultant seemed very excited to have ‘a positive finding’. I was given a diagnosis of post nasal drip and advised to take antihistamines, omezaprole (sp?) and nasal rinses. None have been very helpful unfortunately.