Breathing irregularities caused by vocal cord injury

Posted by chris77 @chris77, Jan 22, 2021

Two years ago while lying down I sneezed heavily and the force was much that I felt a painful shock In my throat(left side)it seemed like I ruptured a tissue or something .Since then my voice has changed,i can no longer talk for few minutes without taking a break just so I can breathe,my left nostril feels empty like air enters uncontrollably.At some point food began getting stuck in my throat,also my chest is always pumped with trapped air which makes it difficult to breath and feel relax,I feel there is a hole somewhere inside which allows excess air to get trapped inside of my chest as I always feel bloated which only gets better when I belge or fart.When I eat or drink Is like the fluids and food particles goes down to my chest region and the weight Straines my back muscles more painful the food doesn’t digest I can’t eat in public because of this.
Now I feel the injury/hole has caused a lot of triggers Over the time and has extended to my second nostril as both can’t breath moist air.My voice box feels like it’s about to scatter when ever I try to sing or talk for long.when this air enters my nostril it makes me feel lightheaded And dizzy too.I have done the following scan:
:Ct scan of the nose(paranasal sinus )
:barium swallow
:nasal endoscopy
Doctor says the problem is not significant but yet I can’t live my normal life.Anyone with a solution or experience that can help I would be most grateful.thank you

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Support Group.

@chris77- I recommend seeing/talking to someone who looks at the entire body system. Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine/Functional Medicine Doctor/Body Systems worker. It sounds like the heavy sneeze caused quite a bit of force and shock to your nervous system. I would also include that in trying to get calm. Don’t underestimate the power of the mind/nervous system. It can bring so much attention to an already stressed area, preventing relaxation and homeostasis from happening. With lack of feeling at ease, your senses are on high alert. If you can find someone who can calm your system and work on getting your sleep restored that will help immensely. At this point you can not leave that part out. The “parts” department, i.e. ENT, Gastro etc...will not discuss nor help you with this part. The positive is that it was a sneeze that caused you to feel the discomfort. So it was a natural/normal occurrence. Did anyone ask you what your stress levels were like prior to this or at the time? If already in a tense state this can contribute to the way the body responds. Look at both entities. I hope this helps.

REPLY
@nrd1

@chris77- I recommend seeing/talking to someone who looks at the entire body system. Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine/Functional Medicine Doctor/Body Systems worker. It sounds like the heavy sneeze caused quite a bit of force and shock to your nervous system. I would also include that in trying to get calm. Don’t underestimate the power of the mind/nervous system. It can bring so much attention to an already stressed area, preventing relaxation and homeostasis from happening. With lack of feeling at ease, your senses are on high alert. If you can find someone who can calm your system and work on getting your sleep restored that will help immensely. At this point you can not leave that part out. The “parts” department, i.e. ENT, Gastro etc...will not discuss nor help you with this part. The positive is that it was a sneeze that caused you to feel the discomfort. So it was a natural/normal occurrence. Did anyone ask you what your stress levels were like prior to this or at the time? If already in a tense state this can contribute to the way the body responds. Look at both entities. I hope this helps.

Jump to this post

Thank you very much for your selfless And detailed response.i was asked by the doctor of my stress level which I told them wasn’t quite much.I was not stressed emotionally or physically.it just happened(the sneeze) and till this very moment I still feel some sharp pain at that side of my throat when ever i try to take/swallow a Big pill of medicine .I have been calming myself by keeping faith and believing I will b myself once again.I will unfailingly go see the Doctors that will check my entire system just like you said and hoping there will be a headway cause my life is really on halt right now.Thanks once again for your view am more than encouraged and opened to any updates.God bless

REPLY
@chris77

Thank you very much for your selfless And detailed response.i was asked by the doctor of my stress level which I told them wasn’t quite much.I was not stressed emotionally or physically.it just happened(the sneeze) and till this very moment I still feel some sharp pain at that side of my throat when ever i try to take/swallow a Big pill of medicine .I have been calming myself by keeping faith and believing I will b myself once again.I will unfailingly go see the Doctors that will check my entire system just like you said and hoping there will be a headway cause my life is really on halt right now.Thanks once again for your view am more than encouraged and opened to any updates.God bless

Jump to this post

@chris77-you are very welcome. If there is something you have not tried, then pursue that route. Be it spiritual practice, restorative yoga and things that bring you joy and gratitude. It’s easier said than done, when dealing with the discomfort. But if you can turn the dial down on the stress response to this, it will help you immensely. You might need to rely on others, outside of the western medicine world. I believe after so many visits, they actually contribute to the heightened awareness. You have your own innate power to feel better. Don’t forget that. Take care.

REPLY
@nrd1

@chris77-you are very welcome. If there is something you have not tried, then pursue that route. Be it spiritual practice, restorative yoga and things that bring you joy and gratitude. It’s easier said than done, when dealing with the discomfort. But if you can turn the dial down on the stress response to this, it will help you immensely. You might need to rely on others, outside of the western medicine world. I believe after so many visits, they actually contribute to the heightened awareness. You have your own innate power to feel better. Don’t forget that. Take care.

Jump to this post

I sure will.Thanks soo much for taking your time to understand and also encourage my quest on recovery,I take everything you said tonight and in faith I will act towards them.The fact you acknowledged spirituality in healing really goes a long way too.I really appreciate.Best regards

REPLY

@chris77 You are having symptoms related to your nose and throat that you have had diagnostics on and you have been told that the findings are not significant enough for further treatment. However, due to your symptoms you are unable to live a normal life.

Below I have linked a discussion where many of the members describe similar symptoms.
- Vivaer nasal valve remodeling and Empty Nose Syndrome? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/vivaer-nasal-valve-remodeling-and-empty-nose-syndrome/

Members in this group like @marychickadee @123d @eboch9 @pastore @healthiswealth1 may be able to offer information and/or support.

Below I have also linked a similar discussion that you may wish to scroll through for suggestions and information.
- Empty Nose Syndrome https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/facial-pain-empty-nose-syndrome/

May I ask if you have considered getting a second opinion at a specialty hospital or teaching hospital that specializes in ENT?

REPLY

Thanks very much for your selfless outreach and Yes I have met another ENT doctor whom i explained all my symptoms to and he Put me On some drugs(Rabeprazole and motilium)for two weeks.Am not seeing any changes atoll and the medicines are making me look sick and lean as I find it difficult to eat because of my swallowing problem.is really a nightmare.Hopefully I get to find a headway from the links.Thank you

REPLY
@chris77

Thanks very much for your selfless outreach and Yes I have met another ENT doctor whom i explained all my symptoms to and he Put me On some drugs(Rabeprazole and motilium)for two weeks.Am not seeing any changes atoll and the medicines are making me look sick and lean as I find it difficult to eat because of my swallowing problem.is really a nightmare.Hopefully I get to find a headway from the links.Thank you

Jump to this post

@chris77 - good to hear you got a second opinion.
Did your ENT explain to you the reasoning for the Rabprazole? Assuming the thought there was to try and address your symptoms as if GERD was the issue? Also the Motilium for nausea? Did you ever feel like you had reflux? And motilium works by blocking dopamine receptors, blocks feelings of nausea and increases muscular contractions in the stomach. I am assuming this is all the ENT had to offer for what you explained? I truly hope you can find peace with this distress, with a different type of provider. ENT (Surgeons) just are not going to have the answers. Especially if you already done all the testing you have tested for. Work with a whole body systems provider. Osteopathic, Functional/Naturalpathic. Or even a Neurologist for advice on the mechanical portion (just a thought) Hang in there and stay positive, even if these medications don’t “work” for you. If they don’t know what they are treating, medications for it won’t work.
Your body is powerful and wants to work for you. Find the right person to assist you.

REPLY

Thanks a lot for the unreserved encouragement.
The Whole situation is actually tiring because the doctors in the ENT here are almost if not saying the same thing and when ever I point my problem to be connected to throat and breathing I get redirected to ENT.One of the Doctors who is also a Professor keeps bringing the Surgery idea,coupled with the post surgery complaints I have seen on this thread I am going to be extra careful .I don’t have a choice but to keep looking.I have already made some contacts regarding seeing the osteopathic doctors and functional medicine,hopefully thier wholistic approach will make a difference no matter how little I just need to feel a difference and have a feeling of getting well.My eyes are dim from the whole respiratory distress and unhappiness but I can’t give up now.
A million thanks to you,I remain open to Any helpful suggestions

REPLY
@chris77

Thanks a lot for the unreserved encouragement.
The Whole situation is actually tiring because the doctors in the ENT here are almost if not saying the same thing and when ever I point my problem to be connected to throat and breathing I get redirected to ENT.One of the Doctors who is also a Professor keeps bringing the Surgery idea,coupled with the post surgery complaints I have seen on this thread I am going to be extra careful .I don’t have a choice but to keep looking.I have already made some contacts regarding seeing the osteopathic doctors and functional medicine,hopefully thier wholistic approach will make a difference no matter how little I just need to feel a difference and have a feeling of getting well.My eyes are dim from the whole respiratory distress and unhappiness but I can’t give up now.
A million thanks to you,I remain open to Any helpful suggestions

Jump to this post

@chris77- you are most welcome. I hope you can find some peace in addressing this from a different perspective of the journey you have been on. You have had all the tests, and seen the ENTs. It sounds like their advice/ideas have not been helpful. And keep in mind an ENT “Professor” tends to be someone hired to teach other med students/fellows. They use any opportunity to teach, especially if at a University. I find it interesting that a surgery would even be recommended based off of no history and a sneeze being the cause of symptoms. Do not get discouraged that these specialists say different things or don’t have an answer for you. This is not a you problem. It actually starts with the way Western Medicine has engrained in people to believe that the doctor knows best. Unfortunately MD’s are just people too. And medicine is not 100% accurate. Most are educated guesses, and as a physician you hope you get it right but it is always a guess and never exact. This is why it’s called a “practice”. They practice medicine. So you have to look at yourself as someone they are practicing an idea on. I say all of this because when someone is in distress, and go from appt to appt waiting for a solution or light bulb moment. It can cause more distress when you think the people that should have the answers don’t ha w the answers. This is to reassure you that you do have full control of your mind and your body. Feel empowered that you are in control here. I would keep reminding yourself that this feeling came on after a sneeze and not something catastrophic. That could hopefully calm your nerves a little bit. The lack of sleep/distress is going make anything feel more unbearable, so that has to be addressed first. If the feeling of distress can be managed, some of the intense feelings may lessen for you. Thoughts become feelings in the body. That’s why I encourage you to remind yourself this came on after something simple and you are safe. Work with someone to restore this feeling. This may sound more in depth than needed, but the thing western medicine docs do not practice, especially when talking to their patients is distress also leads to dis-ease (uneasiness)in the body. So start bit by bit with other types of healers that can atleast help to get you out of the distress and unhappiness. Stay positive about yourself.

REPLY

I appreciate your encouragement and am glad to say that after much lobbying the Ent have agreed to refer my case to the physicians (osteopathic and functional medicine).Am looking forward To see a headway.
A million thanks!

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.