Vocal cord paralysis post total Thyroidectomy

Posted by steph45 @steph45, May 27, 2023

Hello, I had a total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection on April 13. My thyroid was stuck to everything so I ended up with nerve damage and right vocal cord paralysis. Has anyone else had this problem? How long did it take to heal? I did have it injected with prolaryn gel a couple of days ago but I am still having difficulty breathing and feel like there is something in my throat all of the time. My voice is louder and I think my swallowing is better but I can’t stand the need to constantly try and swallow something in my throat and the difficulty breathing especially with talking, with all the complications I have had I am just about at my wits end and I feel myself getting depressed again, thanks for your help

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Thyroid Cancer Support Group.

I failed to mention I am a cancer patient which has trans gressed from coln , to liver and now in my lungs , causing my beathing volumn.yo be somewhat diminished
I was a vocalist snd I kept up with my breathing techniques until recently

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Profile picture for joseph1952 @joseph1952

Yes iv been to vanderbuilt in nashville . Its been awhile th e y sent me to Baton Rouge whaere one of their doctors had set up shop . He is the one who did the 3 surgeries . Iv had botox treatments they dont last
The first surgery was 3 hours still awake just sedated so i could talk during it to get the best sound , but i was too swollen to get ot tied down correctly . The next 2 times affected chord was beefed up but still no volumn .

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@joseph1952 Did you have voice therapy after your surgery? If not, it might be something to consider. You might not have enough air to sustain the voice so therapy can evaluate your breathing for speech. If you don’t have enough air to support your voice you won’t have very much volume. Something to consider.
Good luck!

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Yes iv been to vanderbuilt in nashville . Its been awhile th e y sent me to Baton Rouge whaere one of their doctors had set up shop . He is the one who did the 3 surgeries . Iv had botox treatments they dont last
The first surgery was 3 hours still awake just sedated so i could talk during it to get the best sound , but i was too swollen to get ot tied down correctly . The next 2 times affected chord was beefed up but still no volumn .

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Profile picture for joseph1952 @joseph1952

@kmlnj me too . Iv had 3 surgical procedures to correct my dead vocal cord but none have corrected it

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Profile picture for joseph1952 @joseph1952

@kmlnj me too . Iv had 3 surgical procedures to correct my dead vocal cord but none have corrected it

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@joseph1952 After my cancer surgery many many years ago I had one vocal cord that was paralyzed. My ENT said if it doesn’t come back in six months it will never come back. Well six months later my vocal cord just got better you never now don’t give up hope all of the comments people have made were absolutely excellent .each case is so so different try them you never know what is gonna work for you because we are all completely different!!! The best of luck to you going forward!!! don’t give up hope.

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Profile picture for joseph1952 @joseph1952

@kmlnj me too . Iv had 3 surgical procedures to correct my dead vocal cord but none have corrected it

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@joseph1952
Have you been evaluated by a Speech and Language Pathologist? They can evaluate your vocal folds and might be able to help come up with a plan that will help….this is what they do!! You should definitely get a referral to an SLP who specializes in voice disorders…..in my opinion, an SLP who works with cancer patients at the hospital might be a good place to look; or a therapist who specializes in voice therapy for people with Parkinson’s might also be a good place to go. The field of Speech Pathology is very broad, so you might want to look for a therapist who has their primary focus on voice disorders for head and neck cancer, in stead of a therapist who has the occasional voice patient.

The SLP might be able to recommend exercises and non invasive strategies to build your voice. If one of your vocal folds is paralyzed, the SLP might suggest injections to “plump up” the other vocal fold so it will meet the paralyzed one to enable you to produce a voice.

Please don’t lose hope! But, please consider going to a Speech and Language Pathologist who specializes in voice disorders for an assessment…..this is their specialty!! The surgical procedures that you had could also be causing additional swelling, which could make the voice issue temporary….the SLP could help determine if that is also a factor.
Good luck!!

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Profile picture for kmlnj @kmlnj

Hi. I am impressed that you all have solutions.
My radiation oncologist knows I lost my voice weeks ago. No response from her or her nurses on this topic.
How do I find out what is going on with my voice?
What help do I ask for and who do I ask?
I have a medical oncology chemo team who are terrific. But they've not commented on my loss of voice.
My radiation team doesn't communicate with me. Ignores messages. But they will call and leave a MESSAGE FOR ME TO CALL BACK - KNOWING I CANNOT SPEAK.

thanks all. You are all in my prayers. Feeling cranky today

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@kmlnj me too . Iv had 3 surgical procedures to correct my dead vocal cord but none have corrected it

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You’re very very welcome I hope you feel better and better each and every day!!!

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@lindaadele, Thank you for the encouraging words!

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Profile picture for sophias @sophias

Hi, I had a total thyroidectomy (papillary thyroid cancer) in July. I am constantly clearing my throat due to feeling like something is stuck in my throat. I have to keep myself busy or it drives me crazy thinking about it. Night time is the worse. I actually dread going to sleep because I can't get comfortable with the feeling of something stuck in my throat.
Sometimes are better than others. I do believe it may have a bit to do with acid reflux. I have noticed if I burp it helps. (I know that sounds crazy) Also, I have found if I don't eat soon before bedtime it's more tolerable.
I hope knowing you are not the only one having this issue helps.
Good luck to everyone!

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@sophias I had thyroid cancer many many years ago and one of my vocal cords was paralyzed and the doctor says now if it doesn’t get better in six months it’s never gonna get better well six months went by and believe it or not it got better!!! bottom line is don’t give up you never know what’s gonna be happening going forward. Try to keep your glass half full. Again good luck to you going forward!!!

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