Vocal cord paralysis

SugarplumFairy2010

I've been having throat and ear pain since last fall, and my voice is increasingly hoarse and I'm unable to sing like I used to.I had a biopsy on my submandibular gland that I just found out is negative. The ENT diagnosed me with left vocal cord paralysis, saying it may be due to recurrent laryngeal nerve damage and said the cause needs to be investigated. I'm having a thyroid/neck ultrasound tomorrow and she is also ordering an MRI which is not booked yet. I searched the forum re: vocal cord paralysis and I'm terrified as I came across information that it can be metastatic breast cancer. Is there anyone out there who is dealing with this? Thank you so much for any information

SugarplumFairy2010

hoping someone sees my post :

ShetlandPony

SugarplumFairy, that would be a very unusual location for bc mets. But you do want to solve the problem, and it seems an ultrasound and MRI are sensible next steps. And I'm glad you have an ENT on the case. Get her reports and test results to share with your other doctors, so everyone is in the loop.

I know next to nothing about vocal cord paralysis, but it occurs to me that I would ask whether taxotere could have caused nerve damage in that location.

KBeee

Did you have radiation??? Could that have caused some damage? I'm sorry you are dealing with this. I hope you get answers.

Leighku

You probably have more answers by now but wanted to post. My mother is a lung cancer patient and recently dealt with vocal chord paralysis. It wasn't caused by the tumor but by nerve damage when radiation was done on her chest. If you had radiation on your chest, I think this may be the cause. Luckily they can do a very successful quick survey and implant a device next to chord and restore normal speech. Prayers for good news.

RavenDJ

I have vocal cord paralysis on my left side. ENT ran a scope through my nose to my throat and found nothing. I suspect its tamoxifen. I started taking it in April of this year and have had sinus problems, acid reflux and hoarseness. I will see if my oncologist will change my meds. God bless you ladies.

melmcbee

Hi. Another suggestion is to see a speech therapist. They can assess you and help you to strengthen it. I work with one who does phenominal things with patients.