I woke up the other night with congestion and had a really hard time clearing my throat because of weakened throat muscles due to the Botox shot. It only lasted one night, so it wasn't really a big deal. But what if I get a cold that lasts weeks?? How do I clear my throat?? Once (many years ago, before SD) I had to be rushed to the hospital because the mucous was making it difficult to breathe.
How do you manage to clear your throat??
Jill
Re: congestion and clearing my throat
Jill, I have experienced the same thing with mucous after a botox shot and even after Dr. Berke's surgery. Actually, it has been worse since the surgery and Dr. Berke advised me to take a prescription medication called guaifenex g-1200mg, generic duratuss g-1200mg. specifically designed to reduce the amount of phlegm in your throat. I took this medication for about 2 weeks and had a noticeable difference and now i don't take it at all. I have been told that some people have this problem when their vocal cords are weakened, either by botox or surgery. They also say that sometimes acid reflux can promote excess phlegm in the throat. It is very frustrating to have to clear your throat all of the time and it really isn't the greatest on your vocal cords either. Try the medication and I think you will get some relief!!
Re: congestion and clearing my throat
Sherry,
I was so glad to find your information about mucus in the throat.I had a bad cold the end of November and haven't felt well since. Found out I had sinus infection, after previous doctor didn't do anything for 6 weeks. Found good new doctor. I had Cat scan done on sinus's and they are clear. I went on a cruise for ten days and the mucus in my throat got so bad felt like I couldn't breath and I felt like I was being strangled. I went to ear nose and throat doctor that prescribed giaofemexg 1200mg. I just started taking three days ago, feel a little relief but not much. I've been sucking throat out with syringe but right after I do this it comes right back. I'm so frustrated, makes it hard to sleep, feels like I have rubber in my throat. It's been too long, you also said something acid reflux can cause this too, what did you take for this? I have never been able to hack stuff out of my throat, because it makes me sick, that's why I'm trying to get out with syringe. If you have any other ideas to help me out, I would really appreciate it. They want to test me for allergies, have you ever been tested for allergies. Sorry this is so long but I am so sick of feeling sick. Thank You Charla
Re: congestion and clearing my throat
Hi Charla,
Having mucus continually stuck in your throat is extremely irritating so I know exactly how you feel. Mine was and sometimes is the same as yours--as soon as you get rid of it, more comes back. My doctor prescriped the giaofemexg 1200 too. It worked for a while, but after continued use, your body gets used to it and it does not work as well. I have also tried allegra with some good results, but the best thing I can recommend now is to drink lots of water and no milk. Hope these suggestions give you some relief. If I come across something else, I will let you know.
Re: congestion and clearing my throat
Hi Jill. I know what you mean about botox making it difficult
to clear your throat and cough. That happened to me for
several weeks following my last botox shot. What I did was
anytime I had the urge to clear my throat, cough, etc., I'd
sip a drink instead (my speech therapist suggested
that). Of course, gotta be careful not to choke,
but I feel it helped clear the mucus slightly. Though, nothing
beats true throat clearing.Laurie
Re: congestion and clearing my throat
Jill,I never really noticed any increase in mucus after a botox injection (10 years worth). However, since the surgery with Dr. Berke at UCLA I have noticed a major increase in mucus and the need to clear my throat. I am going on 7 months since my surgery and I can still feel where the surgery was performed. Some days are worse than others but increased mucus output is definitely present. John
Re: congestion and clearing my throat
Hi John,I agree totally. I have the increased mucous problem in my throat, sometimes worse than others, since my surgery. Mine feels like it is mostly on the right side of my throat. I never experienced this with Botox either. I emailed Dr. Blumin and he said it might be from acid reflux but I am sure that's not my problem. I have never had any problem with it. Neverless, I bought some over-the-counter-meds to see if it helped and I noticed no change. I have tried to ignore it also, (mind over matter) but not too successfully. Having to clear my throat constantly to speak was how my SD started so I will be very glad when I figure a way to get rid of this feeling of phlegm in my throat. I didn't seem to have it before I caught a cough a few weeks ago. Now I have the phlegm problem and lower volume than before the cough. Interesting! Barb
Re: congestion and clearing my throat
I have also had the same problem since D-R surgery over 7 months ago, although it is not quite as bad as it was at first, especially while exercising (breathing hard). BTW, still no voice, but I don't yet hold the record for the longest recovery period (and hope I won't!). Jeff
Barbara -
Your statement that acid reflux has never been a problem for you caught my eye. You might not want to rule it out as a component to the mucous problem. You can check out the Wake Forest Voice disorders web-site; it says that many who have voice disorders have reflux but don't have heartburn and don't necessarily test positive for reflux.One of my SD-online welcome-wagon emails came from a woman who has been helped by taking antacids (this is for SD - not for a post surgery situation.) However, she was very surprised to find that she had reflux. And I was surprised to find that it is probably a component of my symptoms. Anyway, I guess my point is that reflux may not seem like what we think reflux should be. One simple way to find out is to try some over-the-counter antacids for a couple of days (I only mention it because that is what I did - you of course may want to check with your doctor or pharmacist before you try anything ;-) ) I wish you well! Robin Related link: http://www.bgsm.edu/voice/reflux_voice.html
--modified by Robin Stull at Fri, Mar 02, 2001, 03:54:39
Re: congestion and clearing my throat
Hi John. I have noticed a problem with phlegm build up after a botox shot and it could be that the difference between the build up post-shot vs. post-Berke surgery is in the level of inability to clear the throat.
For a couple of weeks after botox, I can't cough...it's more of a forcing of air like a wheeze. Very ineffective in clearing my throat. You once described the surgery as the "mother of all botox shots" so it doesn't seem surprising that you have a problem with persistent mucous. Now that we've delved into the subtleties of throat clearing hows about a more appealing thread ??
--modified by gavin hadley at Thu, Jan 11, 2001, 09:36:01 --modified by Moderator1 at Fri, Jan 12, 2001, 01:33:34 --modified by Moderator1 at Fri, Jan 12, 2001, 01:35:34
Re: congestion and clearing my throat
I am about 7 months post reinnervation surgery. I find that I have a significant phlegm/mucous condition especially in the morning. It is more significant than what I experienced with botox. John
Re: congestion and clearing my throat
John:
I had a lot of mucous after the operation on Jan 9th and also on Wed. but by Thurs. it was not so bad and I could live with it. By the weekend it was all gone. I had a hard time getting it up and upchuck sometimes when it was so bad. I was able to sleep last night without my head being elevated and rested much better. Hope your problem will clear up soon.
Re: congestion and clearing my throat
Thanks Lib. While it's not something I dwell upon, I do notice it. Only time will tell if it will disappear when my voice returns. John
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