Voice going out | Arthritis Information

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Hello everyone,

 

          I was wondering if anyone gets a cough and a horse voice from RA.  I have had a cough for a while and my voice is gone.  My

RA doctor says I need to talk to my primary care doctor regarding my throat and voice problem.  I think its the medication or the RA thats causing this problem.  Any ideas?  Can I go on any antiboitics for this while still on Embrl?

Here's a link to the Mayo Clinic page on arthritis of the larynx: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/arthritis/AN01030

I had no idea it was so prevalent, Mayo says. . . 

"Approximately 50 percent to 75 percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have inflammation of these joints. It typically causes no signs or symptoms. But about 25 percent of people with RA affecting the cricoarytenoid joints have:

I also have some strange thing going on with my voice. Sometimes, particularly when I begin a conversation my voice "squeaks". It then resumes normally but it can occur any time. Not sure I would classify this as hoarseness.

Had my rheumy double check my thyroid but that was fine. He thought maybe I has "chronic laryngitis". He told me the next thing would be to see a ENT. So far I haven't acted on that. Not too excited about seeing yet another Dr.

I have hoarseness quite often; and like you Hessalina it's mainly when I start a conversation.....or even talk too much. lol

I've found that I have to clear my throat everytime I answer the phone or I won't have a voice when I start to talk. I mean; I'll have a voice.....but you can't understand what I'm saying.

This has just started in the last year. I'm in my 13th year since offical dx'ed.

Lovie-

That's comforting to know that someone is in the same boat as me. It also did not start occurring til recently for me. I've had "official" RA for 11 years.

Have you ever had it checked out??

My rheumy did not seem to be concerned with it. But how can you know it's not a tumor??

hessalina

YICKS! Hadn't thought a bit about that.

I'm ashamed to say also that I'm a smoker. That could have something to do with it as well. I don't know. I haven't really ever mentioned it to my doctor. Maybe I should? We'll see.

It's more annoying than anything else. Doesn't hurt.

Panda,

Gerd is often the culprit, even if you don't feel like you have it.  Also I know of someone who complained of this same voice, coughing  problem.  Everyone kept blaming it on her RA.  Turns out she had thyroid cancer.  So please make sure you get this throughly checked out.  Don't let them blame RA until they have ruled everything else out.

 

Panda, do you also have dry mouth or dry eyes? If so, ask about Sjogren's Syndrome, a relative of RA that can also cause trouble with coughing and swallowing. when I am very fatigued my voice gives out. My H notices my voice going long before I do.I lost my voice for 6 weeks once and after seeing many many doctors they determined it was my RA. You have to be able to rule out everything else first though. Get checked by an ent and go from there.I have had voice box troubles on and off over all the years I've lived with RA. It's never been so severe that I completely lost my voice or could not swallow - but I am often hoarse sounding - especially in the am.
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