Anyone had laryngitis?

[CheeryCherry]

If so how long did it last? Started with a sore throat on Sat morning, full blown laryngitis by Monday - went to emergency doctor as the pain and swelling was so bad. Have been told there is nothing I can take for it, and not to talk or even whisper! Want to slit my throat. How long will it last???

oh god you poor thing. I've only had it as a result of too much yelling on a night out and my voice started to come back within 48 hrs.

HAVE had pharyngitis though which was so painful i thought i would die, and that did go on for a couple of days i'm afraid. are you gargling with dispirin, do they still tell you to do that? take whatever painkillers you can, it might make it a tiny bit better, and endless hot lemon and honey or camomile will soothe it. not being able to talk is so difficult - can anyone help you with DCs while you're in the silent zone?

I've had it a few times but one in particular knocked me off my feet for nearly two weeks! I could not believe it and have always stopped talking whenever it starts since. And I mean STOP talking. I was laid up in bed I was so ill. I dragged myself to the doctors in tears begging for something but there was nothing they could give me. The children were little and I had no family nearby and there was nothing they could give to even help. Hope yours doesn't get that far though it does sound bad.

It's miserable. I had it a couple of months ago and the sore throat lasted for a couple of weeks. I took paracetamol, sucked throat pastilles and felt sorry for myself for the duration.

Sorry.. I don't think that helps. Hope you feel better soon.

A couple of weeks???! Arghhh! I am using a whiteboard for communication, and use sign language at work so the family are learning fast! Everyone is at school/work though so its not hard not to talk. So painful though. Not taken any painkillers, though I may have to tonight as I barely slept. What a pallaver! Yes am sipping lemon and honey drinks, not particularly pleasant either! Thanks all.

... nightol? hear that can get you to sleep with a sledgehammer going next door (and give you some freaky dreams into the bargain!). you need sleep to get better so worth taking the drugs if you can.

and unfortunately laryngitis is like spraining your ankle - seems really minor but if you don't put the time into rehabilitation, sometimes it can bite you on the bum in the future.

loving the idea of your family learning sign language. have always wanted to institute that!

rest, don't talk at all and drink plenty. It's the only way to get better quick.

I find doing the above for a couple of days speeds my recovery up massively. Have had laryngitis several times from using my voice wrong at work.

gingernutlover...thats sounding better 'a couple of days'..! The dr said mine was a viral thing, not voice strain or anything. Wonder how they can tell the difference? Finding it so hard to swallow, and I'm a regular tonsillitis girl...this seems harsher somehow. Fed up!

Do not try and use your voice it will make recovery longer. Inhale steam at least once a day. Not much else you can do. It runs in my family, when we get colds and cough it almost always goes to the larynx. But not painful as you are describing, just tiring and very annoying that I can't shout at everyone!

The pain doesn't seem to be easing at all, its making me doubt the doctor - she was a locum. Or am I just being impatient? Can they really not prescribe anti-biotics?

oh you poor thing

I have several bouts, whenever i get a cold it hits my throat, and chest but there is nothing the doc's can do Lasts for a few days to a week.

Rest, dont talk, put your feet up if you can. Sleep as much as you can. Drink constantly.

At night time I found Actifed helpful as it knocks me out for six. If you can take it, try some chewable vit C tablets that will help with the infection fighting.

If your struggling with painkiller tablets, try the soluble kind. Your local chemist should be able to help you. Dont forget you can mix paracetamol with ibuprofen.

Hope your feeling better soon

If its viral, then anti biotics wont do anything. If it doesn't go by Friday, I would go back to your docs tho, just to make sure.