Monday, June 1, 2009

Okay, guess what. Can't guess? Well then I'll tell ya.

I've been having recurring hoarseness since December when I had laryngitis for 31 days .. remember? Anyway, I was concerned and got a referral to see a throat specialist. The appointment was this morning and after looking at my vocal cords (kinda cool how they do that ... spray a numbing solution into one side of your nose, then put a l...o...n....g tube thru the nose and down to the vocal cords) ... not bad at all.

The camera showed that I have irritation on a portion of the right cord and some damage on the base of both cords; plus, when I speak the cords don't touch. When we talk the vocal cords are supposed to vibrate & touch each other ... mine don't. Hmmmm.

Doctor J thinks the irritation is caused by asthma medication and also thinks I may have 'silent acid reflux' ... never heard of it but I'm now taking medication for it. I have to see a speech therapist on Monday for an evaluation, take the med's, and see the dr. again in 6 weeks. In the meantime I can't whisper and I can't shout. I'm not to talk excessively and I'm not supposed to try and talk over back ground noise, like television, lawn mowers, children or dogs. If possible I'm to make eye contact with the person I'm talking to and keep my voice at an even level. Also, I can't do my class at church for at least a month. I talked with my co-teacher this evening and she was completely understanding and sympathetic. I had hoped to ease out of the class, but not this way.

I am hoarser than usual right now because of the scope being down my throat. And once again I'm finding silence isn't such a bad thing. I am also grateful that I can type and use the blog as my voice again.

Wonder what all I'm supposed to learn this time? I'll keep you posted.

3 comments:

  1. From one acid reflux sufferer to another - - - you have my empathy. I don't have the vocalization issues though. Thank goodness for a blog and that IT doesn't require speaking!!!

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  2. Weezy...I have suffered from acid reflux for a long while now. I have to carry Donatol with me, at all times... because out of nowhere I will start having esophageal spasms...NOT fun! Take care my friend.
    ~hugs~
    trish

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  3. I'm hoping you soon have your voice back to normal, Louise. I do love the way you always look for what the lesson might be in all the difficult things that come your way. Thanks for being such a good example to me. I'm praying for you.

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