Laryngitis - treatment?

[ny biker]

I've had a bad cold for almost a month now. Most of the symptoms have cleared up, but I have a lingering case of laryngitis. This has happened before, where a bad cold ended with laryngitis, and a few times I've been completely unable to speak at all. This time around I can still talk but my voice is very hoarse. And as mentioned in other threads, it has affected my breathing while exercising because the swollen vocal cords make it harder for air to pass through.

It's been almost two weeks since my voice first became hoarse. Last week it was worse than the week before, so I worked from home in order to minimize the need to talk to anyone. The breathing problem has gotten better. But my voice has still not recovered.

I haven't been to a doctor because I don't think there's anything they can do to help. But I really need this to get better. Does anyone know if there is something a doctor can do, or if there's anything I can do other than drinking lots of fluids and using throat drops?

Thanks!

[Crankin]

When I moved back here, I would get this every October, a result of the colder weather and the beginning of school. I wasn't sick, just could not talk, which pretty much eliminates being at work for a teacher. I did go to the doctor the first time and the one thing she told me was do not drink hot drinks! Keep sipping and drinking cool water all day. And don't talk! I kept trying to talk in a whisper voice, which made it worse.

[OakLeaf]

You could still drink or gargle the cooled infusion

The University of Maryland is my usual go-to for home remedies when I don't have something specific in mind. Here's what they have to say: http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed...ion/laryngitis

[rocknrollgirl]

I had it really bad last year. My vocal cords were so swollen I was having trouble breathing. Especially at night. It was pretty scary. I went to the doc and they gave me a short course of steroids. It worked like a charm, at least for the swelling. The lingering hoarse voice and cough lasted for weeks, but at least I could breathe.

Might be work a shot.

[marni]

whenever we used to go skiing both my father and I would go completely hoarse. He carried of hip flask of equal amounts honey, bourbon and lemon juice. got a small swig every night. It helped, but it had to be at night or after I was done skiing for safety reasons.

[ny biker]

Thanks ladies.

I went for a bike ride last night. My legs felt great but I was wheezing on every hill, and it was from my throat, not asthma. So I'm going to try a doctor. Of course since this is a holiday weekend the earliest appointment I could get is for Tuesday morning. I made the appointment, but will go to urgent care tonight. I'm pretty sure my insurance requires a hefty copay for urgent care but if there is any treatment available I want to start it now.

The UMd website was interesting. I do usually take zinc lozenges when I first get a cold and they usually help. But this cold started differently than usual, with wheezing a full day before the tell-tale sore throat, so I didn't start the zinc early enough. I did find that menthol cough drops were very helpful, so much so that I almost went out and bought some old-fashioned Vicks Vapo-Rub when the cough and congestion were at their worst.

[thekarens]

Jackass docs aren't worth your time or effort. Definitely switch asap! Hope you get some improvement soon

[Crankin]

I am sorry this happened to you. Really, when the physician doesn't get intense exercise, then s/he is an azzhole.
I don't think you should have an issue after the CT scan.
I'm allergic to IV contrast dye, so as an asthmatic, make sure you tell them you have asthma, allergies.