Vocal cord paralysis

@jbell22, It was good getting some more info about your "filler." Prior to my surgery I had an injection but it was only supposed to last a few months, but it was a "tester" to make sure that the surgery would produce the results I needed, so my experience might be different than yours. When I had my surgery, I had a silastic implant (which is probably different than the plastic piece that you are discussing) so I hesitate to make any comparisons to your situation. After two years, however, it still seems to be working so I'm glad for that. You will probably have the vocal cord checked on a somewhat regular basis after the surgery so the doctor will have a good idea of how things are working for you. Have you had any speech therapy? That is a good way to keep your vocal cords in good working condition, however, speech therapy will probably be suggested after the surgery has healed some.

I understand that it is hard to know what symptoms are related to what condition. I also have heart problems and I'm never sure if my symptoms are related to cardiac issues or some other issue! Once again, best wishes and keep in touch! Teresa

I have bilateral paralysis and I totally understand what you are going through. Every treatment option is a guessing game as we suffer everyday and have few options. Because I'm off to work now I cannot expound but I am so happy to finally find a GROUP. I will be more specific in my answer later but just know you are not alone in this.

Hi @marydwyer51! Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I'm glad you found the community and were able to offer support to past and future readers. It's really what the community is about.....so welcome! 🙂

I'm sorry to hear about your struggle with vocal cord paralysis but happy you have found some people here that you can connect with. I would like to introduce you to members @dand,@jimjudym4,@jennybell, @ksparekh, @romorrill and @seaside162- All people here discussing the same topic

@marydwyer51, what questions do you have for the group regarding bilateral paralysis? If you feel comfortable answering, how long have you had it? What kind of treatment regimens have you been placed on? Has anyone had great benefit from therapy?

I appreciate your joining our discussion, @marydwyer51, and welcome to Mayo Connect. I also have had surgery for a paralyzed vocal cord and I am grateful for the surgical treatment that I received. We look forward to hearing more about your journey,

Teresa

I have left vocal cord paralysis. I have a vocal cord implant, and have had it filled once, and now they want to put in body fat and I am interested if anyone has had that and what they do and if there are any cons with this. Its wonderful to find this group, thank you!

Hello @d1215 and welcome to Mayo Connect!

I am a volunteer mentor, not a medical professional, just a patient like yourself. I also have a paralyzed left vocal cord. I had a silastic implant inserted surgically several years ago and I'm doing fine for now.

If you are comfortable sharing more, how long ago was the first surgery done? How long after that did it have to be filled again?

I have never heard of body fat being used, but there are new medical breakthroughs all the time. Perhaps someone else will respond to this with more information. In the meantime, here is an article that I found on the NIH website regarding using body fat for the vocal cord injection, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4930845/

What type of symptoms are you having now? Before my surgery I had a very raspy voice and trouble swallowing and lots of choking. Do you know what caused the paralysis?

I look forward to hearing from you again!

Teresa

Hi Teresa,
Thank you so much for responding to me. Twenty yrs ago I had cervical disc surgery and that is what caused the paralysis. I had it filled 10 yrs after. I am going hoarse again and breathy. I went to doctor and he said they are having good results with an incision made and fill vocal cord with it. I have read some things and it varies on the results. It seems like a lot more recovery than just regular fill. I did have an implant 20yrs ago. I guess every once in awhile it needs to be filled. He said I have a lot of scarring also. Thank you so very much for going on that website, I will definitely read that and see what they say also. I am so grateful for finding Mayo connect, I don't feel so alone.

@d1215

I understand what you mean when you say, "I don't feel so alone." There is something about dealing with a health condition that is lesser known that creates that "aloneness" feeling. We really do need to connect with others who have had similar experiences.

Have you had speech therapy? If so, has any particular type been most helpful to you? Has singing helped you?

The cause of my vocal cord paralysis is still unknown. I do have Parkinson's and while sometimes that causes voice problems - it usually doesn't cause the paralysis - so until something else is discovered, I'll stay with the Parkinson's theory.

Do you have a date for the procedure for using the filling with fat? Are you going to a large medical center for this procedure?

I look forward to hearing from you again and following your progress - it is not easy to find other people with vocal cord paralysis - I am glad that you found Connect.

Teresa

Hi Teresa,
I do not right now have a date yet. It is supposed to be in a few months. I had speech therapy 20yrs ago when I had the implant and it was wonderful. I am going to Hackensack voice center in Hackensack,NJ. I had Dr Woo at Mt. Sinai in NY who is world renowned for this. He recommended this Dr. Benson at Hackensack so I did not have to go to the city again. I will let you know what happens, I have an appointment Wednesday to discuss this next procedure.

Hi,
Your post was so informative as I had a vocal cord implant and have had it filled twice. The next step is the Gore-Tex thyroplasty. I have read so many things and you confirmed what many articles say is the swallowing after the procedure. I am nervous about that, and some say it varies as to how effective this is due to the reabsorption of fat it may be good or may be poor results. Would you recommend doing this? How is the recovery of the incision and the hoarseness and breathy breathing?
Thank you for sharing as I am so happy finding this group and sharing with others what we all are going thru or have been thru.