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Throat/voice

12 replies

worstofbothworlds · 20/10/2025 14:51

My throat and voice are really bothering me, it's been up and down for about a year but it's taken a turn for the worse the last few weeks.
I'm really croaky a lot of the time. This seems to be worse on work video calls but I could just be imagining that.
I sing in a choir and sometimes I'm fine but sometimes it actually hurts to sing.
I feel like I've got a frog in my throat a lot of the time.
I tend to yell at the DCs unfortunately (mainly up the stairs Dinners ready rather than the GET YOUR SHOES ON NOW when they were younger - they are early secondary). I've decided to not talk unless they are in the room (tip I found on the internet - a speech therapist who said don't talk to anyone you can't touch - including phone calls). Over the weekend they found they couldn't shout to me and get an answer which is probably good!
Unfortunately I am a lecturer and though we use microphones I find my voice still goes croaky. I have most of my lecturing this term towards your end so I'm trying to save my voice. I have a NP appointment early in Nov.
I know to keep lubricated, warm drinks, honey and lemon. Should I also try and avoid phone calls? Is lecturing with a microphone bad or am I somehow making it worse and if so how can I avoid that?
I'm going to skip choir for the rest of term (which makes me sad but it does literally hurt). What other tips are there - ideally medically backed!

OP posts:
24Dogcuddler · 20/10/2025 15:46

Once you have ruled out any medical causes a Speech and Language Therapist can help you with voice projection, power and breathing control.
Expect you will need to pay privately.

24Dogcuddler · 20/10/2025 15:46

Once you have ruled out any medical causes a Speech and Language Therapist can help you with voice projection, power and breathing control.
Expect you will need to pay privately.

24Dogcuddler · 20/10/2025 15:47

Sorry for double post site crashed

PoppySaidYesIKnow · 20/10/2025 15:48

Have you seen your GP? I’d think a referral to ENT is needed to rule out any medical cause.

worstofbothworlds · 20/10/2025 16:52

I'm due to see someone at the GP practice early next month - hopefully there can be a referral of some kind. I did think if was viral but it's been going on way too long and there aren't any other real symptoms.
I originally thought "maybe I need singing lessons" as it started with just croakiness but it's got worse so it's time for serious help.

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Justputsomeyoghurtonit · 27/10/2025 18:01

I went to GP with this, was told it's silent reflux. So they put me on omeprazole which I regret more than anything as I now have non-silent reflux!!

But it could be silent reflux. Do you cough to clear your throat?

worstofbothworlds · 27/10/2025 18:12

I actually already take omeprazole for something else but maybe I do?

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Justputsomeyoghurtonit · 27/10/2025 21:41

@worstofbothworlds ah so maybe!

Omeprazole literally made no difference for me and the nausea and cramps were horrible, so I came off it, GP later apologised 'oh sorry, we forget to tell patients about acid rebound'!

I'm constantly throat clearing or coughing. Thankfully I'm not a singer like you!

GingerPaste · 27/10/2025 21:56

I saw my GP as my throat didn’t feel right. I was put on the 2-week pathway for an investigation. Luckily, the test (a nasendoscopy) was clear. The consultant thought it may have been caused by my thyroid issue.

worstofbothworlds · 27/10/2025 22:11

Oh gosh @GingerPaste that sounds scary!

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Huntrix · 29/10/2025 23:19

My ex had this and I think it's fairly standard to go via the 2 week pathway with these things. It sounds scary but it's just their procedure so they can rule out anything dodgy. Ex was nervous but everyone was very good and kept us in the loop. His problem was a paralysed vocal cord which the ENT clocked. I think it's fairly common and for lots of people it resolves by itself. He had SLT and it helped a bit but he got annoyed with it and asked for the injection that sorts it out. So he had a quick injection of filler into his vocal cord and within a day or so his voice started to recover.

I hope yours is just virus etc, but if you do go to the GP, please don't panic if they put you on the 2 week pathway. 😄

worstofbothworlds · 30/10/2025 07:53

Thanks, I'll try not to panic!

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