OfflineI just had surgery about two weeks ago, and have not recovered my voice...seems it's not even better at all 
Can't even make a phone call.
I have read some allude to vocal cord paralysis in these posts, but say their voice is weak..my just is non-existent.
Most annoying were the nurses that would not answer my call because they couldn't hear my response after buzzing for pain meds! I would advise anyone having this surgery to make sure their surgeons keep the nursing staff informed of the fact that they may not be able to talk!
Anyone ever have no voice at all? Do exercises help with this? I had my husband make an appt. for me with an ENT doc, but I thought I would have my voice by now.
I had C/4-7 fused. Long scar chin to collarbone...hence zipper neck...hope to be getting some Vitamin C serum on this soon.
The best news is: my hands are working !!! And the trapezius pain and neck/shoulder is so much better, as are the headaches. I knew I did not have carpal tunnel (and of course their tests pre-surgery confirmed that.)
Thanks for listening...I can barely whisper and even that just wears me out.
Anyone with total loss of voice out there?
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Cervical myelopathy, 15 surgeries to date, Severe OA, bilateral knee replacements, DDD, 13 MRI’s, 4 sets of spinal cortisone procedures and dozens of cortisone shots in other areas for OA. Upcoming scheduled surgeries include laminectomy and removal of synovial cyst located at left facet joint of L4-L5 (may require fusion); Right resection of A-C joint (left was done 12 years ago, by far the most painful of all my surgeries)
I know a little about how you feel. I had C6-7 ACDF with plating in July and still cannot speak well. I saw the ear nose and throat specialist in September who looked in my voice box with a scope and told me one of my vocal cords is paralyzed. He also told me I have 90% chance of complete recovery and there are things that can be done if I don't recover completely (he didnt' specify what though). My surgeon also reassured me it gets better with time. I still cough and choke a lot and my voice is very high pitched and weak. It is a lot better than it was the first few weeks after surgery so hang in there. Seeing the ENT doctor is a good idea. I follow up with mine at the end of the month. It is very frustrating sometimes. On a positive note, I got great relief from pain and numbness I had before surgery.
This is what I am much concerned about as I am facing possibly the same surgery. I am waiting for one more MRI. I know he is going to be doing surgery on the C5-C6 level. I have problems to varying degrees C3 thru C7.
My Neuro Surgeon was talking about a possible Foraminotamy. I'm probably spelling that wrong. But he was thinking of maybe a posterior approach, trimming the disc where it impinges on the C5-C6 nerve root, drilling more space for the nerve root. If he does that I would not have to be concerned about voice problems.
But I don't know which way he is going yet or how extensive my surgery will be. I have to wait for one more set of diagnostics.
I do hope your voice recovers quickly to its normal state, both of you!
Ken GreyEagle
hypertension, type 2 diabetes, 56 yrs old, married 34 yrs, 2 children, 2 grandsons, cervical spine surgery upcoming, tonsilectomy 1959, carpal tunnel surgery both hands 1997