Raspy Throat

[Holden4th]

I've had a raspy/hoarse throat for over six months now. I had an abscessed tooth and thought that was the problem. A month after that was fixed the issue remains. It appears to be worse in the morning and this could involve a number of factors including PAP therapy. It was at the stage that I went onto the Resmed BiPAP (an S9 originally but now have an Aircurve) that the throat issue became obvious. I have an appointment with my doctor on Thursday and need to let her know as many factors as possible. Could PAP therapy cause a hoarse throat? I use a heated humidifier with distilled water. Has any one else experienced this?

[Pugsy]

I have never heard of cpap causing voice issues and can't think of even having it since I started using cpap except for the times that I got it as a result of an upper respiratory infection and had a lot of coughing go along with the illness. The coughing caused the larynx to get irritated and become hoarse/raspy. This I have experienced in the past long before I ever started cpap and was a normal by product of a bad upper respiratory infection for me....a nice Lauren Bacall voice. I used to laugh about it and say I knew the sexy voice was a sign that the illness was almost gone.
Also had it after my neck surgery which put some trauma on the larynx...that lasted about 6 months and was expected side effect of the surgery because the incision was right below the larynx.

You might mention the cpap use to the doctor but I don't see it being the cause.

[greatunclebill]

This all sounds familiar to me. I have that same hoarse/raspy voice. At some point in time one of my vocal cords became paralyzed. I was unaware that it had happened. so the cord was just kinda hanging limp, open and every time i would do something that closes and opens the cords, the opposite good cord was over reaching, stretching trying to close with the paralyzed side. this caused the good cord to always be red and inflamed. The answer was that the ent implanted a piece behind the paralyzed cord to hold it permanently at midline. this was from outside the neck, not in the throat. so now the good cord closes on the paralyzed cord to make a good seal as it should. The voice hasn't changed. hopefully this isn't your problem, but is worth investigating in the absence of other good solutions.

[Holden4th]

Thanks Pugsy and Bill. I also don't think it's PAP therapy but didn't want to rule anything out. I'll still mention it to the doctor.

Speaking about the doctor, this will be a new experience for me (but not in the way you might think). My regular GP is away in the Northern Territory treating the indigenous population in what is a very remote area. He's away for five weeks and I didn't really want to wait so I looked at which doctor in the clinic has an ENT specialty. Dr Hiba (her first name) stood out as having all the qualifications. The new experience is that she is a former student of mine. Her references are glowing and having been her teacher I know that she will be on the ball. It could be a great reunion as we talk less about my medical issues and more about the past/future. I'm looking forward to it.

[zackds]

I've had a raspy/hoarse throat for over six months now. I had an abscessed tooth and thought that was the problem. A month after that was fixed the issue remains. It appears to be worse in the morning and this could involve a number of factors including PAP therapy. It was at the stage that I went onto the Resmed BiPAP (an S9 originally but now have an Aircurve) that the throat issue became obvious. I have an appointment with my doctor on Thursday and need to let her know as many factors as possible. Could PAP therapy cause a hoarse throat? I use a heated humidifier with distilled water. Has any one else experienced this?

ever thought of gerd?

[Holden4th]

Yes, GERD did occur to me, though I don't seem to have any of the heartburn issues that are associated with it. That said, I know that you can have GERD without those symptoms. If it is GERD then it's easily treated.

This raises an off-topic point which is also a cautionary tale. Prior to 2013 I suffered from chest pains and a feeling of fullness in my oesaphagus which would go away even if I continued exercise. It couldn't be my heart or the pain would have continued was the illogic that I used.

Consulting Dr Google I became convinced that I had GERD and my bulk billing doctor was happy to treat me for that. A change of doctors literally saved my life. While he also bulk billed, he also listened and used his medical knowledge to set me on the right path. He treated for GERD (Nexium) and then quietly suggested that I visit the radiologist for a myocardial perfusion (which is an advanced version of the stress test using nuclear materials to give an internal picture of the coronary arteries). I was on the operating table 48 hours later for a triple bypass as my blockages were so severe that they feared I could have an MI at any time which in my condition would have proved fatal! I no longer use Dr Google and trust my physician instead.

[Holden4th]

Without an oesophageal endoscope examination the doctor is starting with post nasal drip and has prescribed sinus irrigation plus an antihistamine. That's step one. Step 2 is possibly treating for for silent GERD. Step three is the endoscopy - don't really want to go there.

[Julie]

Have you tried just taking half a Tums before bed to see if it makes a difference? I think it's a fairly easy way to at least get some direction. Has an ENT looked at your vocal cords recently - they are often responsible for similar symptoms.