Laryngitis - no speaking for 4 days?!

[amy56]

Hi all

I'm sat here feeling very sorry for myself!.

I've basically been unwell since we returned from New York at the end of October. Ive lost my voice three times during this period, and whilst ive had a couple of days here and there of feeling well again, the aches and tiredness etc keep coming back. Ive been working throughout, but basically resting on my days off (I work 3 or 4 days a week but my job basically involves talking to people, so losing my voice doesn't work! )

Anyway, I finally went to the doctors after work yesterday as my voice had disappeared again & the aches had come back - ive now been signed off for a week and told not to speak at all for four days!

This is my favourite time of year, and I'm missing everything I love (DH & the boys are going to visit relatives for a christmas get together today without me now & ive had to cancel going to my annual christmas quiz tomorrow, carol singing for the elderly on Tuesday & another night out!)

Has anyone else ever been advised by the Dr not to talk for a long period? How did you cope?

I'm finding it dreadful - ive been in full on tears twice since last night - partly through frustration, but also from just feeling so isolated and lonely in my own home - I can't even talk to my boys (and I realise now how much I answer them on behalf of their dad, when he doesn't hear their questions! It's driving me bananas! )

[KarenG]

Oh Amy! I feel so sorry for you (hugs).

I can only suggest - and this is such a rubbish suggestion but it's all I've got - turning it into a game? So using writing / miming / drama and making it more like "guess what Amy's trying to say".

Could be very frustrating for you but you'd be included and part of what's going on around you? It might make it more fun?

I suppose at least it's now, and not Xmas (small consolation I know).

[KarenG]

And, can you still go out to see relatives but use the above tactics so you aren't stuck at home? Go out for a walk? Do stuff that doesn't involve interaction with strangers (who wouldn't understand why you can't speak).

[Alfiesmum]

This happened to me a few years ago.
I used a bell to get a persons attention.
I used a small whiteboard and marker to write everything down that I wanted to say.
I have to admit though, I think my husband enjoyed the quiet a little too much😉

[Oliver123]

I wouldn't mind the misses not been able to speak for a few days!

[Emi]

I lose my voice regularly now. I think whenever I get a chest cold my larynx is just the first thing to get hit annoyingly. I've been told to try and not talk but with a 1 and 3 year old that's impossible. So I've been whispering. It's not what they said but I've found it makes a huge difference.

[AnnieB]

Can't you still go out but explain to everyone you can't talk?

I had this a while ago and it was very odd and frustrating not to be able to talk. I did actually still say things very quietly but only the essential.

Just make sure you look after yourself, get plenty of rest and you will be properly well and ready for Christmas (the main event).

[WhereIBelong]

I was advised not to talk for 3 days after an op, it brought it home how insular hubby and his mum can be - we went for Sunday lunch and there was silence for 4 out of 5 hours, a right miserable visit.

Obviously usually down to me to keep any conversation going...

[not2old4disney]

I've had this a few times! My throat has always been my weak spot and I even ended up having to leave my job on medical reasons as it involved constant talking and basically the specialist I saw at the hospital and my employers occupational health dept said if they didn't move my department to a non speaking position that the same thing would keep happening!

The worst case I had was when I had a baby, a 1yr old and a 2yr old at home which was really tough, but as has already been suggested a mini whiteboard/blackboard with something to write really helps. I was also told one of the worst things to do is to try and clear your throat - once I knew that I became really conscious of how often I had been doing it. Another thing I was told to do was to make sure the air in the house wasn't too dry (due to central heating etc this can exacerbate the condition) either by using a humidifier or placing a bowl of water on the radiator - other than that its all the usual rest, keep hydrated and everything else you probably already know! Hope you're feeling better soon and you're voice gets back to normal asap!

[amy56]

Thank you everyone for your lovely replies and suggestions

Ive been trying to work over the last few weeks whilst trying not to speak too much around people in order to rest my throat, and for me it just proves impossible - people forget and ask open questions, and me being me, I can't refuse to answer, so find myself speaking! .

I really think ive got to literally go 'cold turkey' for these four days, as trying to limit my speech over these last few weeks just obviously didnt sort it. I can't afford to keep losing my voice, as its my job to talk!, so I guess I'll just have to keep myself to myself until Wednesday and let the family get on with it!

This morning I tried to text DH with anything I wanted to say and he'd either misread it or was texting me back, even though he can talk! It's actually hilarious how people mimic one another without realising it! - Yesterday when I was whispering, (although inside I was actually shouting to get that noise out), without fail everyone I spoke to responded with a whisper themselves! )

I just couldn't cope with going to our cousins and having to remember not to speak. Actually now that they've all gone and I am alone in the house it's so much easier - there's no one to talk to, so I don't have to remember to keep my mouth shut, which helps me forget to some degree that I'm poorly!

At least reading the Dibb isn't banned! - once again you guys are there in my hour of need!