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Throat clearing and hoarse/raspy voice

I have been clearing my throat and getting a hoarse/raspy voice off and on for 8 mos. now.  I went to my Dr. and he told me to take Claritin for allergies.  That didn't seem to do anything so I went to an ENT  who said my voice box was red from reflux and was prescribed Omeprazole 40 mg. I have been on it for 3 mos. and it hasn't done much.  I was having some heartburn and seemed to help. The type of job I have some days I'm on the phone a lot and that is when I have more of a problem.  The more I talk the weaker my voice seems.  My ENT also had me get a Barrium swallow xray which wasnegative.  What can it be?  Any advice??
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Thank you
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi, based on what you are describing, you might have inflammation of your superior laryngeal nerve which is the nerve that controls the muscle around your larynx (voice box) that controls pitch.  An upper respiratory tract infection (cold) can cause the inflammation.  You might need oral steroids or nerve medications like Lyrica to quiet down the inflammation. It can take up to 3 months for the inflammation to subside, but sometimes the problem is permanent. The best way for evaluation is to see a speech pathologist who specializes in voice and who can perform a videostroboscopy which is a special camera to look at the movement of the vocal cords.  The speech pathologist can recommend vocal strengthening exercises and works with an ENT who can prescribe the medication. Regards.
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