Laryngitis help, please!

[Harleigh]

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I have been MIA for the past week or two...first I caught that nasty flu that many of my students had last week and that lingered on for a few days. It comes with all sorts of loveliness, and by the time I was done being ill, my throat was nearly bloody.

Over the weekend, I was still tired, but feeling better, until I started coughing on Sunday night. The cough continually got worse and worse on Monday and Tuesday, and the loss of voice started Tuesday night.

I called the doctor, coughed into the phone for her and she prescribed some lovely cough medicine that helped me sleep on Tuesday night, but then woke to almost no voice by Wednesday morning and was sent home from school at lunchtime. THe dr. also prescribed a decongestant and 800mg Motrin to help with the chest pain, which I have been taking faithfully.

Even though I was told to stay home, on Thursday morning at 7 AM I had to be at an important IEP meeting and managed to somewhat whisper out the pertinent details necessary, but the rest of the day was miserable. They (my administrators) again tried to send me home from work, but it''''s the end of the second trimester and report cards had to be completed and ready to send home today (Friday.) I finished my work, stayed late and did lesson plans and agreed to stay home today, which looks really bad the day before a 2-week Spring Break, but there wasn''''t much I could do about that.

I have hardly spoken above a whisper or a squeak in 3 days, and I thought gargling with warm salt water, drinking hot tea w/lemon & honey, eating soup and getting some sleep would help...but this morning I woke up and I got NOTHIN'''', and I do mean, absolutely NOTHING!! Not even a whisper, a peep or squeak will come out! (For those who know me, you are probably aware this could quite possibly drive me insane!)

Do any of you lovely PS''''ers have any tried and true remedies for voice loss? I would be most appreciative of any suggestions...I am willing to try just about anything. My doctor thinks it may just be allergies and wants me to wait until at least Monday to go in and see her as she''''d like to give the cough medicine a chance to work. I just don''''t know if I can go that long w/out a voice! Any suggestions?

Thank you in advance, everyone!

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

There are two things and only two things that have helped me in those situation. One is hot tea and the other is vitamin C. I take truely massive ammounts of C when I am sick but because it is water soluble, it does not build up in your system so it doesn''t hurt your liver and you have to take it every few hours to get an effect. I couldn''t drink orange juice for 2 years after I had mono since I drank so much so my throat didn''t hurt and I could talk.
I am sorry I can''t be of more help.

 

[Gypsy]

Oh honey I''m sorry. Honestly? Rest, rest rest is the best thing. Sleep, be lazy, nap, sleep some more. Don''t stress as much as you can. DO NOT EVEN TRY TO WHISPER. Rest yourself and your throat. Have some HOT HOT as you can bear it chamomile tea with honey and lemon in it (ends up tasting like hot apple juice when you add it all in and it''s cloudy).
(((HUGS)))

 

[Miranda]

I don''t have any advice to offer you, but, I sure do hope you feel better soon. It sounds like the irritation in your throat just needs some time to heal.

 

[perry]

Gargling with salty water often helps (twice a day).

However, I need to point out this should be water that you dissolve some table salt in (say a teaspoon per cup of water); and not salt water from the bay or ocean.


True story from when I was in the Navy: Gargle with salt water twice a day - the Navy corpsman told my shipmate. 3 days later my shipmate was back with the worst infected throat and mouth, high fever, chills, and severely ill.. that the corpsman had ever seen.

Turns out that our shipmate was tapping the fireman system and gargling with seawater.. and all the gunk in it too from just offshore of a major industrialized area (with known pollution problems). Yes he gargled with salt water... and became very ill in the process (which did not help his throat at all).

Please mix your own.

Take care and have a speedy recovery.


Perry

 

[chiapet]

Ugh, sore throats are horrible! Sorry to hear that you''ve been sick for so long. I agree with Gypsy: don''t try to whisper. It''ll actually hurts more to whisper than try to talk in a normal voice. Try drinking hot tea and drink chicken soup. I hope you feel better soon!

 

[Deelight]

I think it is more of a fact it needs to take its course, try not to use your voice at all and sleep as much as you can. I also like warm milky honey tea and chicken soup because it makes me feel nice when I am sick

I really hope you get better soon

 

[Harleigh]

Hi b_i_h...thank you for the reminder of Vitamin C...I have some tablets and will start those straight away! They obviously can''t hurt and hopefully might help in the process, and I swear you could steep me in hot water I''ve had so much tea the past two weeks! (Good thing I love tea, huh?)

Hi Gypsy...thanks, sweetie! I did sleep from almost the moment I got home on Wednesday until I got up for work yesterday morning, but yesterday was kind of rough trying to whisper to a child to tell the rest of the class what to do...I''m sure that didn''t help one bit. I have proudly not uttered a peep (not that I could anyways!) today at all, and I actually took 2 naps today and plan to be in bed by a very reasonable time tonight. My problem with sleeping during the day is that I then can''t sleep at night, and then I wind up tired and more frustrated, but I know just resting will help. I will also try the chamomile tea...I have been having Lemon Zinger w/honey as that''s the only one I can taste, but I''ll give the ''ol Chamomile a try! Thanks for your kind thoughts, and I''m sorry you didn''t get better news from your mom about your grandpa. I hope things turn around for him soon.

Hi Miranda, thanks for the well wishes...you are probably quite right about my throat just needing some rest! I have been a good girl and not spoken one word this whole day...I could go nuts, let me tell you!

Funny story, Perry! I have been gargling w/salt water 2-3 times a day, and thankfully, I have been smart enough to use plain ''ol table salt! Thanks for the good thoughts, and I will keep your story in mind if I start getting too down in the dumps over this! (I can''t imagine using anything but tap water, but I am an Air Force brat, so maybe I got my smarts that way!)

I hope your buddy came out of that all right...that doesn''t sound pleasant at all!

Hi chiapet! (Love your name, btw!) I have been doing well today, but I think you''re right...whispering yesterday so much is what did me in. I have let everyone I know that I will not be answering the phone if they call, and that they may just want to wait to hear from me. In the meantime, I have been doing a lot of emails and text messaging between my naps! Thank you for the good thoughts!

Thanks, too, Deelight! I''m sure you are right and this just needs to run its course. I sure am hoping it does soon, as I''m just about chicken souped out! I''m keeping my fingers crossed that this works itself out on its own and I am back in my favorite mode: talkative! Thank you for the well wishes!

 

[Diamond*Dana]

Oh I feel your pain. I had laryngitis about 2 months ago, and it was horrible! I was only without my voice for 2 days, but had a rasp to my voice for about a week. The only thing I can say is rest your voice, do not talk if you don''t have to. I hope it gets better soon!

 

[Beacon]

I am so sorry you are going through this. I have had it before and at the end of 2006 I got it really bad. Like you I could not talk at all. It scared me! I asked my DH to work from home one day cause it was so bad that I could not use the phone if I needed to call help in an emergency.

Anyhow, rest and gargling salt water will help, but really it just needs to run it's course. It can take some time. I really hate that laryngitis. If it starts getting very painful to swallow, go to the doctor cause you do not want your epiglotis to start becoming affected. That can cause serious trouble. So keep an eye on it and take it extra easy.

I know what you are going through.

Get well soon - hugs.

 

[KimberlyH]

I had no voice my first day of student teaching, so I can certainly relate, Harleigh. It started out as a fever, chills, wierd flu bleck and then turned into a nasty cough and lots of mucus. Rest, rest, and more rest are what the doctor ordered, and it helped. I''m still a bit froggy, and coughing a lot at night, but definitely have improved. I managed to teach a lesson on Thursday, and not crack once! Take good care of yourself.

 

[Harleigh]

Aww, you gals are so sweet! Just a little aside here...I feel like I hardly get to speak to FI at all on the nights he''s working, so I tend to really look forward to them when he does call, but I was a good girl and sent him a text telling him I still needed to rest my voice and I couldn''t talk tonight.

He might actually look at it as a reprieve

but I know he''s been worried about me and wants me to get healthy. ETA: I just got a text message back that he''s feeling pretty crappy, too, but to come over anyways in the morning so we can hang out and feel crappy together! (I think he''s just looking forward to me having to be silent, to be honest w/you!)

Thanks Dana! I used to lose my voice all the time, maybe for 2-3 days at a time, before I got my tonsils and adenoids out in I think 1997 or so. I''ve only lost it a handful of times since then, but I have now lost it twice this school year so far, and this time is worse than any I can ever remember, even before losing part of my pipes. I guess maybe the combined illnesses aren''t helping. Thank you for your kind words!

Hi Beacon! It''s so nice to hear other people understand...it was getting really frustrating trying to get people to understand at work that I really couldn''t talk, and asking me to repeat what I was trying to say really wasn''t working at all, which I''m sure hasn''t helped me in any way! I was really scared this morning when I woke up and couldn''t get any sound out at all, but it definitely forced me to keep my big trap shut and not even attempt to speak at all today. Since I haven''t tried to talk all day, my actual sore throat is better, but I still have a strained/achy feeling pretty deep...since I have no idea what my epiglotis is, I hope I didn''t screw something w/that up...I''m afraid trying to teach the past few days did more damage than good, but the Dr. just said to rest my throat until Monday and then give her a call...not like I could call her myself anyways, huh?

I hope you''re right and that it just needs to run its course...that and lots of sleep! I can already see a little nappy-poo taking place out by FI''s pool tomorrow! Thanks again for the hugs and well wishes...they mean a lot!

Kimberley, you poor thing! I lost my voice a few times during student teaching, and I do feel your pain! That is just the worst. You actually made me think that maybe this IS all related to the flu I had last week...I honestly thought they were completely separate things I was dealing with, but maybe not? I have still had a bit of a fever and chills, a little bit of nausea too, but no vomiting since last week (thank you, God!), but now since I''ve been on this cough medicine the dr. prescribed, I have a horribly nasty cough with more mucus than I know what to do with! I know some people can cough all that up and dispose of it, but to do that makes me literally gag, and I know I would be vomiting all over again! I almost gagged when I took my meds earlier today and it took every ounce of my being to not get sick...for one, vomiting scares the hell out of me, and two, I just don''t think my throat could handle that again! Sorry, not the prettiest of topics, but I think you understand where I''m coming from! I promise to get lots and lots of rest...I am so weak I feel like a new puppy...sometimes I find it too difficult to even hold my head up! I am so glad to hear you''re finally doing better! BTW, what grade are you student teaching in? I did the 3-semester program that including 3 student-teaching gigs, and I remember how difficult it was trying to deal w/losing my voice during that...a little embarassing, I must say! Hang in there, and I know you''re going to be a great teacher one day!

 

[Skippy123]

Oh no, I hope it gets better soon; you poor sweetie pie!!! When my throat hurts I love warm liquids and soups; hope you feel better soon and rest!!!

 

[Harleigh]

Hi sweet Skippy! You are so kind! Thanks for caring, and I hope I am better soon, too! So glad to have you back!

 

[scarleta]

So sorry to hear you are not well Harleigh..I hope it gets better soon.I have been fighting cold like symptoms like you are describing since December (on and off).I have been taking several non prescription meds and they help a bit but time, rest, fluids,relaxation is what you need.Take it easy and just follow your doctor''s advice.She has you on the right track.Sipping on warm water helps to ease the pain a bit.I just take tylenol, advil cold etc to help with the pain.
If it does not get better perhaps you can have Xray done to make sure your lungs are ok.
Hope it gets better soon..

 

[diamondfan]

Sorry you are not well!

I think, from a vocal coach I knew, the whispering is actually the worst thing you can do as it strains the vocal cords further.

Not sure if not talking at all is best, but I know pitching your voice an octave higher is supposed to help.

Do you have any sound emanating yet?!

 

[Sparkalicious]

Hey Harleigh!

It''s always awful feeling sick ... sorry.

I hope that you get to relax and recoup and start feeling better soon.

LOL to what you said about your SO being happy you couldn''t talk ... I hear you! When I had my tonsils out, I couldn''t talk for over a week! Let''s just say ... the bf AND my family were pleased as punch. Jerks!

Get well soon and back to being your good old talkative self. They may not realize it but they''ll miss you yakking before long!

 

[Ellen]

No advice, just wanted to say I hope you get well soon Harleigh!

 

[Catmom]

Harleigh, this advice is coming from a mother of a daughter that lost her voice for over a year and it took 3+ surgeries and Mayo Clinic to get it back.......DO NOT TRY AND SPEAK............not even a whisper. Just let it rest until it comes back. Use the old paper and pencil means of communication. My daughter''s troubles started with a virus. Please, please do not force it and by the way whispering is the worst thing you can do!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/8/2008 8:31:39 AM
Author: Catmom
Harleigh, this advice is coming from a mother of a daughter that lost her voice for over a year and it took 3+ surgeries and Mayo Clinic to get it back.......DO NOT TRY AND SPEAK............not even a whisper. Just let it rest until it comes back. Use the old paper and pencil means of communication. My daughter''s troubles started with a virus. Please, please do not force it and by the way whispering is the worst thing you can do!

WOW. Is she ok now?


Sorry for threadjack.

 

[Catmom]

Date: 3/8/2008 8:36:08 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 3/8/2008 8:31:39 AM
Author: Catmom
Harleigh, this advice is coming from a mother of a daughter that lost her voice for over a year and it took 3+ surgeries and Mayo Clinic to get it back.......DO NOT TRY AND SPEAK............not even a whisper. Just let it rest until it comes back. Use the old paper and pencil means of communication. My daughter''s troubles started with a virus. Please, please do not force it and by the way whispering is the worst thing you can do!

WOW. Is she ok now?


Sorry for threadjack.

Yes, the docs at Mayo were finally able to get one of her chords vibrating again and even though the other can''t because of the scar tissue, all you need is one to have a voice. This was the worst time of her life, college kid with no voice for over a year. They couldn''t find the cause at home even though we had the best voice docs in Chicago and what they put her through was disgusting but that is another story. Suffice it to say, never try and force your voice when you have laryngitis!

 

[Ellen]

Gosh, poor thing. I''m glad she''s ok now!

 

[KimberlyH]

Date: 3/7/2008 11:44:04 PM
Author: Harleigh

Kimberley, you poor thing! I lost my voice a few times during student teaching, and I do feel your pain! That is just the worst. You actually made me think that maybe this IS all related to the flu I had last week...I honestly thought they were completely separate things I was dealing with, but maybe not? I have still had a bit of a fever and chills, a little bit of nausea too, but no vomiting since last week (thank you, God!), but now since I''ve been on this cough medicine the dr. prescribed, I have a horribly nasty cough with more mucus than I know what to do with! I know some people can cough all that up and dispose of it, but to do that makes me literally gag, and I know I would be vomiting all over again! I almost gagged when I took my meds earlier today and it took every ounce of my being to not get sick...for one, vomiting scares the hell out of me, and two, I just don''t think my throat could handle that again! Sorry, not the prettiest of topics, but I think you understand where I''m coming from! I promise to get lots and lots of rest...I am so weak I feel like a new puppy...sometimes I find it too difficult to even hold my head up! I am so glad to hear you''re finally doing better! BTW, what grade are you student teaching in? I did the 3-semester program that including 3 student-teaching gigs, and I remember how difficult it was trying to deal w/losing my voice during that...a little embarassing, I must say! Hang in there, and I know you''re going to be a great teacher one day!

Hi Harleigh,

I wasn''t vomiting with the flu, thank goodness, but I had the cold, sore throat, shivers, weirdness. I bet that vomiting paired with the sore throat contributed to laryngitis for you. Allow yourself to heal.

I''m student teaching in 5th grade. It was a challenge to keep classroom management in check and teach but I did it, and it was a good experience for me, because there will be times when I''m in my own classroom and I get sick and have to teach anyways.

Take care!!!!

 

[Harleigh]

Thank you so much scarleta, diamondfan, Sparkalicious, Ellen, Catmom and Kimberley! I can''t say I am feeling any better this morning, so I am back on the hot tea regime. My cough is starting to break up a bit, but I am even more stuffed up than I was before and my ears are still plugged, so I need to go take another decongestant, but I think the mix of mucus & meds upsets my stomach, so I need to have some bread w/whatever I take to help counteract that.

I think I must''ve clenched my teeth during the night because my jaw is killing me (was having some delusional dreams, compliments of the cough syrup, I''m sure!), so I have been trying to exercise my jaw a bit, too.

I promise I won''t try to talk...I already told FI he was getting the silent treatment today!

Thanks for all of your kind thoughts and well wishes! You are all the best!

 

[diamondfan]

Mucinex is great for breaking up the stuff in your chest. I think there is now an extra strength one too.

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 3/8/2008 1:05:18 PM
Author: diamondfan
Mucinex is great for breaking up the stuff in your chest. I think there is now an extra strength one too.

Oooh! Nice tip, Diamondfan ... Thx!

Harleigh ... sorry you weren''t feeling any better today. I bet your rest and relaxation today has done you are world of good and you will be feeling a little better tomorrow? ... Hey, it''s worth a shot, if only for the power of suggestion, right?

Feel better.

 

[Harleigh]

Date: 3/9/2008 12:58:09 AM
Author: Sparkalicious

Date: 3/8/2008 1:05:18 PM
Author: diamondfan
Mucinex is great for breaking up the stuff in your chest. I think there is now an extra strength one too.

Oooh! Nice tip, Diamondfan ... Thx!

Harleigh ... sorry you weren''t feeling any better today. I bet your rest and relaxation today has done you are world of good and you will be feeling a little better tomorrow? ... Hey, it''s worth a shot, if only for the power of suggestion, right?

Feel better.

Ha! Couldn''t even find my own thread! Too funny...I thought it was due to the heavy medication, but it seriously moved locations! Good to know I''m not completely and utterly insane! Phew!

Thanks for the tip, DF...my FI is now getting sick, too, so I passed the info along to him, as well.

Sparkalicious, thanks for checking on me! I am still feeling pretty poorly. I have begun to get my voice back, but I still have that horrible croupy cough. I am almost out of the cough syrup, as well, and that is the only thing that even remotely keeps the cough at bay. If I don''t feel any better in the morning, I will have to break down and contact the dr. again. I just hate to go in as it seems that I end up with something worse AFTER I go see the dr as opposed to what I already had wrong before I went in!

I slept for 3 hours today and am already ready for bed again, so I guess sleep is first thing on the agenda!

Thanks again, you''re the best!

 

[diamondfan]

Harleigh, I rely on Nyquil at times like that. Also, tessalon pearls help with the cough, they are by RX but can work nicely too. A cough syrup with codeine can allow sleep in place of Nyquil. I had bronchitis once with a sprained rib and a terrible head ache. Every cough hurt my head and ribs even more. I had to finally load up on stuff to stop the cough so I could sleep.

I think if it is wet, it means the stuff is breaking up. DRINK tons of fluids, non dehydrating ones like water and weak herbal tea and juices. Flat ginger ale is good too.

 

[Sparkalicious]

Heya Harleigh ... Sorry you''re still feeling sucky. Sounds as though you are on the mend though so this is a GOOD thing!
Try to get some more sleep and you''ll be back in tip top shape in no time! After all, wedding stress awaits you, doesn''t it not?

 

[Ellen]

Harleigh, do you think maybe you need an anti-biotic? I just think you should be better than you are by now, yanno?