Help with a 3 year chronic voice/throat and ears problem?

[robodelfy]

Hi

 

I am a 33 year old male from the UK but I spend quite a bit of time in Thailand. I have had a horrible chronic voice/throat problem for almost 3 years, I'm in pain whenever I use my voice and have spent 95% of the last few years in silence, and miserable. I have seen 7 ENT doctors and specialists in the UK along with numerous other specialists and voice coaches etc.

 

I would like to get my throat checked by an experienced ENT doctor in Thailand. I'm looking for any relevant tests that are available, many of which they just make so difficult to get in the UK. I would like another endoscopy just to get a current video of my vocal cords, but also maybe cat scans or MRI's and hearing and ear tests if possible as I've not had any help with that back home

 

Can anyone recommend anywhere? Or how to go about finding someone and getting the right tests. 

 

I'd really appreciate any advice ????

Thankyou, 

Alex

[faraday]

What did the Ent docs diagnose?

 

 

[blackhorse]

Doubt you will get help here if 1st world specialists can't help

Are your symptoms any different after a good sleep and in a stress free environment? I have serious nerve damage where symptoms dtop dramatically when I'm not stressed. Thailand helps with that

[theguyfromanotherforum]

Sounds a bit like my acid reflux. Let me guess... you got some ear pressure problems? Occasional tinnitus?

 

ENT may be completely useless in this case. You need a GI

[Sheryl]

You can certainly get a hearing test done at most of the major hospitals.

 

As for endoscopy, CT and MRI you will have to convince a doctor they are necessary and will shed light on the diagnosis.

 

What diagnosis have you been given so far? As if the ENTs you have seen did not find anything on the vocal cords or in the larynx, reflux is indeed a possibility.

 

This  ENT has specialty in laryngology:

 

https://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Premsuda-Sombuntham

Same dioctor can also be seen at St Louis hospital on Saturdays and will cost less there

http://www.saintlouis.or.th/index 

(website only in Thai, call to confirm hours)

 

 

 

 

[robodelfy]

Thanks for the replies everyone

 

Of the 7 ENT's and numerous GP's I've seen in the UK, many of them were confused by what has happened to me, and had nothing to offer. They just said that my vocal cords and throat were ok and I should get speech therapy. One of them diagnosed Muscle Tension Dysphonia, and another cobblestone throat/granular pharyngitis.  

 

The issue is that these aren't causes, they are symptoms. Firstly I get intense burning and tension whenever I talk, which I have come to believe is mostly from a life of extreme anxiety and insomnia. I do believe there is a huge psychosomatic element to the pain, not that I am imagining it, but that on some level it's created by my brain. Maybe that certain neural pathways are just firing off constantly when they dont need to. Pain is a strange phenomenon.

 

The other issue is all the irritation and occasional little cysts I get behind my tonsil pillars, and on the back of my throat. The ENTs say its nothing to worry about and unrelated to my voice issue, which I find hard to believe. 

 

I went down the reflux route, did many diets, tried everything I could find online. I recently had a Gastro-endoscopy and everything is functioning fine, no signs of reflux. I have also tested eating complete junk food and it never makes a difference to symptoms.

 

At the end of the Gastro endoscopy as the camera was coming out we noticed an 'abnormality' in the area where my vocal cords are, a few cm away. It looked like an irritated lump to me. I then waited 2 more months to see and ENT again which I just did and he said everything is ok. Unfortunately he didn't have the scope with a screen so I could see, and he was one of those doctors who seemed like he didn't really care, was distracted and not really listening or paying attention to me. I didn't leave feeling everything was ok, and for me its really important to see it for myself. 

 

This is part of the reason I would like another scope. Just to see that the lump is gone, and also to have a recent video for my voice teachers in Italy.

 

Then my ears are a whole other story, but surely related. In the UK you have to wait months to see someone and you cant address multiple issues at once, so it can be endless waiting for simple things.

 

This is why I hoped I could get any relevant tests in Bangkok, more immediately and less than the private cost in the UK. 

 

I got a response from Samitivej, they said 1500 to 2500 for initial consultation, which I dont think includes a scope, they said 16,000 for MRI per body part. Saint Louis said 1000 for consultation. A place called Yoskarn said 7000 for consultation and scope. 

 

I am happy to go to a hospital and get a consultation and see what they can offer. There are just so many hospitals I dont know which one would be most appropriate for my issues. Is there somewhere or someone renowned for ENT stufF?

 

Sorry for the long post, I'm a little bit desperate as my quality of life has greatly diminished.

 

Thanks for the help

 

[faraday]

I would listen to Sheryl's advice, & do as she suggests.

 

Hope you find a solution to your health issues soon.

 

????

[Sheryl]

Don't go to a clinic.

See the ENT I suggested at either St Louis or Bumrungrad.

Don't assume CT or MRI indicated but you can ask the dictor aftwr they've had a look

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[PeterA]

Any allergies, including food allergies? Cats and or dogs in the house? Any issues before you came to Thailand? How much spicy food do you eat? Look at these things and you might find an answer. Just maybe..

[robodelfy]

Thanks everyone for the help. I am in Chiang Rai now, so was hoping maybe I'd find someone in Chiang Mai, but would I be right in thinking I'd be more likely to find a good specialist and/or tests in Bangkok?  

 

I dont have any allergies I know of, but I've never been tested. I've moved so much in the last few years and it hasn't changed anything really. The same with reflux, I can eat anything or nothing and the issue is the same. It's all about voice use, and I can only speak for maybe 15 to 20 mins a day without ending up in a bad state. It's very debilitating and confusing as nobody knows whats happening. 

 

Thanks again for the help

[Sam1984]

Hi Alex,

 

My name is Samy, I´m 35 years old and I have the exact same problem.

 

All started after a cold 1 year ago , the sore throat never went away. But if I don't talk I would feel better. I´m not a singer but only talking a little even in very low voice would start the pain again.

I do suffer from acid reflux, but I never thought this is the problem. 3 months ago I had surgery and put a device call Linx in my esophagus to keep the acid from coming up, already 3 months still with the pain and I'm still taking Nexium and zantac everyday .

 

What is very strange is that, when I eat it I feel better and can talk a little bit more with less pain. 

 

Already went to 4 ENTs a few of them said that maybe I have a slight paralysis in my left side vocal chord and the other said that they see all okay . They recommend voice therapy but talking make all worst so I haven't done the therapy,

Did you find anything new with your case ?

 

Hope you are better.

 

Regards,

Samy

[scoutman360]

I can sympathize. I was once a singer, with strong voice, but since moving to Thailand have had weekly hoarse voice come and go. The usual "acid reflux" excuse proved wrong. Doctors always start with their "most common" list. You need to rule all these out in order to get to a specialist. I recently found that clearing my throat (bringing mucus up from lungs) is causing my hoarseness. I have yet to find a cure.