weakened vocals!

[faithnlve]

What is the name of your state? Vt.....I have a dilemna and not sure how to deal with this. I had my thryoids removed in march of this year. Since then my voice has become weak, and I have days that I am hoarse and it's tiring to talk. (hubby likes that). Anyways, my surgeon the week after my surgery went on permanent/temporary medical leave due to illness (depending on outcome he will come back). His office sent me to a specialist whom actually works with my surgeon's office. This specialist after seeing me referred me to a voice specialist to deal with my voice issues. I got a phone call yesterday that this voice specialist does not accept the insurance we carry and I will have to pay the 90.00 an hour. I am frustrated since this problem began after having my thyroids removed and we cannot afford this. What can I do now? I cried the other night, because I could not even sing happy birthday to my little boy, plus I used to love singing and cannot project. What now? Thanks Faith

 

[ecmst12]

Now you look for another specialist that DOES accept your insurance. I believe this is a known/common side effect of this type of surgery.

 

[moburkes]

Now you look for another specialist that DOES accept your insurance.

I'm not sure what other answer you were looking for.

 

[faithnlve]

Now you look for another specialist that DOES accept your insurance. I believe this is a known/common side effect of this type of surgery.

The doctors office is calling back this afternoon with another specialists name. This is a common side effect? I didn't know that. I was told if there is paralysis of the vocal chord it either gets better with the help of therapy or surgery, or I could permanently lose my voice down the road. I just hate the idea of having to pay out more money for my vocal chord being like this because of having my thyroids removed. But, I guess like any surgery the risks of it happening are there, and there is nothing I can do about that. But what if my insurance won't cover the therapy? Thanks Faith

 

[moburkes]

The doctors office is calling back this afternoon with another specialists name. This is a common side effect? I didn't know that. I was told if there is paralysis of the vocal chord it either gets better with the help of therapy or surgery, or I could permanently lose my voice down the road. I just hate the idea of having to pay out more money for my vocal chord being like this because of having my thyroids removed. But, I guess like any surgery the risks of it happening are there, and there is nothing I can do about that. But what if my insurance won't cover the therapy? Thanks Faith

Whether or not your insurance company covers it, the answer to that can be found in 2 places: Your copy of the health insurance policy, and customer service.

 

[ecmst12]

Most likely it will be covered as long as you can find a participating provider.

 

[lealea1005]

The doctors office is calling back this afternoon with another specialists name. This is a common side effect? I didn't know that. I was told if there is paralysis of the vocal chord it either gets better with the help of therapy or surgery, or I could permanently lose my voice down the road. I just hate the idea of having to pay out more money for my vocal chord being like this because of having my thyroids removed. But, I guess like any surgery the risks of it happening are there, and there is nothing I can do about that. But what if my insurance won't cover the therapy? Thanks Faith

Hi. Because of the proximity of your voice box to your thryoid & parathyroid glands, it is not unsual to have some difficulty projecting your voice or making higher pitches noises, like singing, post-op. You'll sound a little hoarse for quite a while. It may take weeks to months to return to normal. In rare cases, it's permanent. The therapy to strengthen your vocal chords is well worth the money if your insurance doesn't cover it. Good luck.

 

[faithnlve]

ok, thanks. Here is a stupid question...What is the difference between singing lessons to strengthen the vocals to voice therapy? I mean, is the therapy to help strengthen the vocals the same type of exercises one gets when they taking singing lessons? I am asking this since that is what I was told. If I have to pay out of pocket, then that would be the cheaper way to go.. Faith

 

[lealea1005]

A properly trained speech therapist is the way to go.

 

[cbg]

Faith, my singing teacher was also one of the first vocal therapists. The difference is subtle and difficult to describe, but trust me, there is a definite difference.

Your basic singing lessons will not provide vocal therapy. However, some vocal therapy can be helpful as supplement to singing lessons.

If you are in need of vocal therapy, your basic singing lessons will NOT give you what you need.

 

[lealea1005]

In addition to what cbg stated, basic singing lessons can actually cause additional irritation, and the risk of polyps forming on your vocal chords.

 

[faithnlve]

Thanks all. I didn't know singing lessons or singing could cause polyps on vocal chords. That is interesting. My doctor's office did find another person to send me to...this person is a speech therapist/pathologist. Thanks Faith

 

[lealea1005]

Among aother things,it's attempting to project improperly that causes irritation to your vocal chords which may cause the polyps. Glad you found some one. Good luck!

 

[ecmst12]

Any voice teacher should be able to teach you how to sing without irritating your vocal cords, but since yours are already injured, even proper singing technique could be more then you should be attempting. You should definitely seek out a therapist that has experience with this type of injury!

For a person with healthy vocal cords, IMPROPER singing can cause injury, proper singing technique should not. Just to clarify

 

[lealea1005]

Thanks for clarifying that ecmst12. I was referring to OP's issue, specifically, and not trying to make a generalization.