Explaining to my doctor, need HELP!

[tiredpoet]

Please help me figure out how to explain my problem accurately to the specialist when I see him.  

I have been to two doctors and have not been able to accurately characterize my problem.  I have had voice hoarseness for several years, getting worse.  My voice always feels strained, as though I've been yelling or talking non-stop for a long time, even though I haven't.  It feels like either a strained throat muscle or something is wrong with my voicebox.  
My voice is different than it was a few years ago.  It seems a tiny bit deeper and "vibrates" more when I speak.  The volume is lower, I can't speak very loudly and people are always having trouble hearing me.  

I explained all of the above to my doctor and she said the quality of my voice sounded fine to her.  Well, maybe it sounded fine, but it doesn't sound like it used to.  To me it sounded hoarse, and it also felt like it was taking extra effort to speak and my throat generally feels "tired."  I think it could be allergies, or a form of acid reflux.  She gave me a referral, but I'm concerned about how she couldn't hear the hoarseness when I clearly could.

What can I say to the ear, nose and throat specialist when I see him to ensure he understands exactly what I'm concerned about?  

[geminigirl1963]

As this original post is over two years old, you may either want to post a new question (go to top of Forum page and click on Post Question) - or, I did notice that the original poster of this question is still active on medhelp, so you may also want to consider sending them a PM (private message) to ask what they found out about theri throat.  You can do this simply by clicking on their name, that will take you to their profile page and at the top, right hand side, you click on Send a Message.

Either one of these options should get you more response to your question than replying to such an old message thread.

I hope you are able to find some answers!

[travisi153]

What ever happened with your throat condition.  Did you ever get a diagnosis or treatment.  I have similar symptoms for about a year.  I feel like my ENT is too quick to rule everything out.  I'm going back to see him soon to ask him to check for any vocal chord nodules.  I believe it is either allergies for me, or something wrong with my vocal chords.

[travisi153]

What ever happened with your throat condition.  Did you ever get a diagnosis or treatment.  I have similar symptoms for about a year.  I feel like my ENT is too quick to rule everything out.  I'm going back to see him soon to ask him to check for any vocal chord nodules.  I believe it is either allergies for me, or something wrong with my vocal chords.

[friggy]

There can be many causes.  Some of them are:  result of infection, polyps on your vocal chords, Spasmodic Dysphonia (google: Spasmodic Dysphonia Scott Adams, to get best info), or you could be straining your voice by using it wrong, like I did, then consult Dr. Morton Cooper, whose book is called Change YOur Voice, Change Your Life.

[joneal]

I'm not a medical professional but you might want to read up on the causes ( and/or unknown causes) and symptoms of vocal chord paralysis.