Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

I am just gonna throw this question out there. Can RAD mess ur vocal cords up?? Just wondering cause I am always hoarse. I used to sing in my choir but I am not sure if I can do it anymore. and if it does mess the vocal cords up what helps it to get back to some type of normalcy

Yes Alby it can. Vocal cord (cricoarytenoid) arthritis is quite common. I get it as well.

You can find more information here:

http://rawarrior.com/cricoarytenoid-arthritis-in-rheumatoid- arthritis-part-1/

I get it too. Very hoarse and froggy during flares.

Alby, I don't think much will help it except the flare stopping.

This is my greatest fear with RAD. That I'll lose my voice. I love to sing. RAD has already robbed me of playing the piano and several other instruments. I guess it won't be satisfied until it robs me of everything.

Does anyone else get sore, tired, and exhausted vocal cords besides the hoarseness? Even singing one or 2 sentences hurts at times for me and it's been so bad at times even a few words hurts. This may be part of the Dystonia so just wanting to compare symptons.

I can sing for a little while - about three verses/choruses without much trouble. But I do have problems after that. It usually manifests itself with uncontrollable coughing, which hurts worse.

This monster of a disease just seems to interfere with or take away absolutely everything I enjoy doing.

speaking..(that's a pun! i have no vocal cords). speaking from experience, i think it is imparative you see an ENT dr. to have it checked out to make sure that it is RA related & not something else.

don't want to scare you, but i brushed it off as RA related & found out too late, it was cancer. it's better to be safe then sorry.

Sorry to hear that Stoma! Were you able to fully treat the throat cancer? I hope you did!

I get croaky voice sometimes as well (like right now, but don't know if i am getting a cold..). Makes me sound weak, shacky. I adore singing too. Was in choir too. Whether flaring or not, my voice gets tired after two or three songs. But i think it is also because my technique is not optimal. Too much comes from throat itself, with not enough use of diaphragm. My cardio state is lame lately, and it shows in little breathing control, and little strength iin muscles.

Another situation when my vocal cords show their weakness is in bars... You know, with so much noise and loud music you have to speak up real loud. After some time my voice sounds like a 15 y/o boy who is going through the puberty change of voice, lol!

I have always been a low talker. I blame it on the RA - why not? With low energy and weak vocal cords, it makes sense...

Alby, when the flare passes the horsness should pass too if it is RA related. And when the RAD is more controled, you may have less episodes. You may still be able to sing and all, maybe just for not so long and not so loud. And anything good for the soul is good for the joints What voice are you all? I am a second soprano

I used to be a "high suprano" ... not anymore....can't hit the high notes anymore, aches in my throat...and since thyroid surg. then the c spine surg...where they had to mess with my vocal cords...I now get hoarse after a day of talking to patients...or trying to sing a few songs...and yes, I get that "over use" feeling in throat when I sing...like it's tired...

Stoma,

I'm going back and finding posts that I ment to respond too, but forgot. I figured your name indicated that you had no voice box. That must be so hard. Do you use a voice synthesizer? I like to talk, so don't know what i would do if i couldn't. I will be seeing my doctor next week and getting her to refer me to an ENT. The hoarseness I get is back and has been happening more than usual. Thank you for lighting a fire under my butt.