Speaking is difficult because of radiation treatment over 20 years ago

Hello, I'm right there with you. After 9+ yrs the after-effects from both radiation and chemotherapy. I been going to speech therapy... My therapist is using a "Tens unit" to try and stimulate my damage nerves. Maybe you can check into to this kind of treatment. I have 3 things going on with me, I'm attaching my latest ENT findings.

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I have gone through speech therapy and still use some of the techniques but the increased fibrosis is hindering even those techniques. I think a step for me at this time is to have another appointment with my ENT to see if there is anything in the area that looks more abnormal than it should. Thanks again and take care.

@omaest my husband was losing his voice 16 years after radiation. His surgeon did a laryngeal shot in his to close the opening he had. One side is paralyzed so the shot plumps up the other side to help closer. His voice is totally back. Swallowing is better but not fixed. It supose to last 2-4 months then you do it again or have the permanent operation called a throplasty ,

Thank you for the information. I need to make another appointment with my otolaryngologist who was also the head of my tumor team. One thing I was told is that I can have no surgery in the radiation area ever. The laryngeal shot might be an option although the difficulty I have speaking seems to be related to the huge amount of mucus that accumulates constantly. When that is momentarily gone my voice sounds almost natural. Thanks again for responding.

Hello, are you taking something to help with the mucus? I have try so many different thing, with no luck 🙁

Best

@janetlev did your husband have to go under Anesthesia or do they just numb the throat? Also, any chance your doctor is located in New Jersey?

@janetlev did he have to go under anesthesia for this procedure?

@cskippy , same as you - no luck. I do gargle with a solution of salt and soda. 1 tsp. each in a pint of water. I also use a nebulizer with a salt solution. But, these are only temporary fixes. The minute I try to do any conversing the mucus builds up again and all I can do is squeak or whisper and that takes a lot of energy.

@steve55 just local, I even watched. The procedure was very quick. He could even drive afterwards. His voice was hoarse for about two weeks while it settled . Now his voice is good.

@steve55 Mo, we are in Portland Oregon. His surgeon trained at John Hopkins and is well known for doing this procedure. it’s pretty common.