Loss of voice after lung surgery

Posted by vic83 @vic83, May 22, 2023

I had video assisted thoracic surgery for lung cancer surgery on Friday and immediately lost my voice. It is now Monday and no improvement. I can talk in whispers but have no volume and it is quite hoarse. Anybody else have this problem? What treatments are there?
I specifically asked the attending physician of the day but she only said "she was not worried" and offered no information on what to expect or do. I live alone and if I need to talk to someone, they now have trouble hearing me. Automated systems don't hear me.
Anyone out there have similar experience?

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Hi @vic83 -- I'm wondering if you had tubes down your throat during the surgery that may have just irritated your throat like when you get laryngitis and lose your voice. I've been sick with some virus for 10 days and first my throat was so sore, then sooo deep for a few days then hoarse and disappearing off and on and now just raspy. I've had laryngitis a few times in the past where I could only whisper, but my voice always came back full force. I think my throat is just swollen which is what I hope is the case for you. Very frustrating for you. I do wish your doctor had given more info. Press your doctor for an explanation. I hope your voice is back soon. Blessings!

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Thanks for your reply. Yes they put tubes down for breathing. My throat is not swollen as far as I can tell and not sore. I just have no volume and have to speak in hoarse measured words. I have put in a call and message about it and await some comment

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@californiazebra

Hi @vic83 -- I'm wondering if you had tubes down your throat during the surgery that may have just irritated your throat like when you get laryngitis and lose your voice. I've been sick with some virus for 10 days and first my throat was so sore, then sooo deep for a few days then hoarse and disappearing off and on and now just raspy. I've had laryngitis a few times in the past where I could only whisper, but my voice always came back full force. I think my throat is just swollen which is what I hope is the case for you. Very frustrating for you. I do wish your doctor had given more info. Press your doctor for an explanation. I hope your voice is back soon. Blessings!

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I have same thing...2 days of totally raw throat (thought it was strep), then lost voice and then so far I'm on 8 days of hoarse and raspy voice. Must be be some sort of new virus.

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@bbtn

I have same thing...2 days of totally raw throat (thought it was strep), then lost voice and then so far I'm on 8 days of hoarse and raspy voice. Must be be some sort of new virus.

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@bbtn -- that's just one part of the illness. I had a fever, trouble breathing, headache first couple days, 8 days of serious digestive issues, still have a cough and some chest congestion, but no nasal symptoms at all. I've never had the voice or digestive issues carry on like this from a virus. Yikes! I hope we all have a normal voice soon. đŸ™‚

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@bbtn

I have same thing...2 days of totally raw throat (thought it was strep), then lost voice and then so far I'm on 8 days of hoarse and raspy voice. Must be be some sort of new virus.

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Did this happen immediately after surgery? My hoarseness/lost voice is caused by intubation issue during lung cancer surgery. I am not sick

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@californiazebra

@bbtn -- that's just one part of the illness. I had a fever, trouble breathing, headache first couple days, 8 days of serious digestive issues, still have a cough and some chest congestion, but no nasal symptoms at all. I've never had the voice or digestive issues carry on like this from a virus. Yikes! I hope we all have a normal voice soon. đŸ™‚

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I found my VAT surgery not too painful, thanks to all the meds. But those med can really upset the stomach, and I was literally not able to eat until today but getting some real food has helped.

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@vic83

I found my VAT surgery not too painful, thanks to all the meds. But those med can really upset the stomach, and I was literally not able to eat until today but getting some real food has helped.

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@vic83 I'm glad you're starting to feel better. đŸ™‚

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@vic83

Did this happen immediately after surgery? My hoarseness/lost voice is caused by intubation issue during lung cancer surgery. I am not sick

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Hi @vic83 - no, mine didn't happen after surgery. I was replying to the other person with a throat virus. I only felt my loss of voice related to you since it was caused by inflammation and probably the reflux that occurred when sick. Even if your throat doesn't feel swollen, the tubes likely irritated it and there is some inflammation. They do warn of possible hoarseness after surgery, but I know you said you have total voice loss. I hope your surgeon has answers for you soon.

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@californiazebra

@bbtn -- that's just one part of the illness. I had a fever, trouble breathing, headache first couple days, 8 days of serious digestive issues, still have a cough and some chest congestion, but no nasal symptoms at all. I've never had the voice or digestive issues carry on like this from a virus. Yikes! I hope we all have a normal voice soon. đŸ™‚

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Thanks Zebra. You are talking about after thoracic surgery correct? You mention digestive issues also. What were they?

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@californiazebra

@vic83 I'm glad you're starting to feel better. đŸ™‚

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Thanks, luckily I only had VAT surgery. Can't imagine open chest

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