Tips to help with laryngitis?

[GLC1968]

Somehow, I woke up on Saturday morning without the ability to speak normally. It returned by the end of the day just in time for a party we were hosting, but by the end of the party, my voice was gone again.

I haven't seen it since. Normally, it wouldn't be that big of a deal, but tomorrow I am attending a career fair for my company and I need to be able to communicate in a loud room. Not going is really not an option.

Anyone have any tried and true remedies? Resting my voice doesn't appear to work as it is worse in the AM than in the PM. I've tried gargling with apple cider vinegar and it did nothing for me. Neither does salt water...

Other than the lack of voice, I feel fine. I am coughing pretty regularly, but that's because my throat has a tickle to it. There is no congestion, no fever, no aches and pains (since last Friday). If I was sick/contagious, I think I'm long since over it but I still have no voice.

Thoughts?

[Triskeliongirl]

Sounds like allergies. Here in south texas we have mountain cedar now. When that happens, I have to take allegra and flonase in the am, and if still symptomatic at night singulair. I also found running a good humidifier in my bedroom helps a lot. But this is all preventative.

For you, right now, try the following:
1) Check and change your AC/heating filters
2) Drink hot tea
3) If your gym has it sit in a moist heat sauna (w eukalyptus)
4) suck on cepacol throat drops
5) take a benadryl before bed (or during day if resting but it will make you sleepy)

goog luck!

[Crankin]

I got this every fall after I moved back here. The combination of teaching and cold weather did me in.
I found cool water, sipping all day long worked for me better than tea. And +1 to the humidifier.

[pinsonp2]

Just a shot in the dark, but have you ever suffered from acid reflux? A couple of years ago I had a bad case of laryngitis with a tickle in my throught and it felt like I always needed to clear my throat. After an ENT exam, it was determined that I had reflux laryngitis. After a couple of weeks of Prevacid and some diet restructions it has not recurred. Hope that isn't what you have since it does take a while to get the voice back. Good Luck!

P2

[OakLeaf]

Worse in the morning makes me think it's allergic, too.

If you can, get a pillow cover that's impervious to dust mites.

Wash your face before bed - lots of allergens settle on your face and hair during the day.

Change your pillowcase often and either be sure it's covered during the day, or just flip it over so that airborne allergens don't settle on the side you sleep on.

Ricola drops help me, too.

[GLC1968]

I've never had any allergies before, that would be kind of weird for them to show up all of a sudden, wouldn't it?

I am travelling to a totally different climate in a few hours, so maybe I'll see improvement if it is allergies?

I really hope it's not the acid reflux. I used to have problems with that (mostly chronic heart burn) but it vanished when I went paleo with my diet. Though, to be honest, last week was by far the most I've strayed from paleo foods in MONTHS, so maybe there is something to that...

Interesting.

I have found that chewing gum keeps me from coughing too much, but it doesn't help with speaking at all. Unfortunately, I HATE chewing gum but I suppose I can make an exception at the career fair. I've read that hydrating, hydrating, hydrating is important, so I'm being very conscious of that.

Thanks for all the ideas!

[Tokie]

One of the local TV and radio news reporters swears by "Throat Coat" herbal tea. I have found it very soothing too. tokie

[malkin]

Vocal rest.

I know it sucks, but really, it's the best treatment.
I'm a professional!

[tulip]

Bourbon. With lemon and honey. And a bit more bourbon.

[Chicken Little]

I second the bourbon and honey. I would stay away from any of the antihistamines, the cords need moisture, not drying.

[marni]

LOL whene ver we went skiing, we would de velop cold weather laryngitis and my father would break out the bourbon, honey and lemon. Not only did the voice return, the sore throat disappear but we skied so much better!

marni

[zoom-zoom]

Yep, Hot Toddies are amazing for throat and respiratory gunk. They'll make you sleep happily, too.