I've had it many times. Hard to do, but keep quiet! resist even whispering. It will indeed take a week or two. Unless you have other problems, like a bad cold, the doctor probably won't be able to help. If your throat is sore, there's an OTC spray to help numb the throat.

Thanks @sushipup2. You give me hope. It's only been 3 days. I will look for a numbing spray. I have been using cough drops. Unfortunately this had to happen while on vacation....

Thanks @sushipup2. You give her hope. It's only been 3 days. I will look for a numbing spray. I have been using losengenders. Unfortunately this has to happen while in vacation....

It has been quite sometime ago so I can't remember all the details but I do know that I gargled with salt water and avoided talking. I did see my doctor, did not really help, other than setting expectations. The hardest part was not trying to talk. I would get a bit more tired than normal but otherwise I felt fine. Hoping you get well soon.

My SIL's was caused by reflux. Perhaps an antacid might help?

@jill302 I will see if I can find some salt. Why didn't I think of that before now?

@deegw I don't have acid reflux but might be willing to try and antacid just in case.

Thanks

@ilkefriday- Her only symptom was the laryngitis. Even if it turns out to be not from reflux, a Tums or two won't hurt. Also, have fun in Italy! Isn't that where you are now?

deegw,

Yes, we are in Sorrento, Italy. Our plan was to go to The Amalfi Coast today but we missed the boat .... So instead we are headed to the farmacia for the closest thing Italy has to Tums and throat numbing spray.

Oh dear. The pharmacists in Europe often speak English and are often very helpful with recommendations. I got eye cream in Greece that is a prescription here. Just this past New Year's Day a pharmacist in Krakow of all places gave my son a COVID test and medication.

Feel better soon!

Side story: I had it once many years ago while in college. My then boyfriend brought me to his parents house for dinner. His grandmother was invited too.

I had laryngitis and even though bf told her, she always spoke of me negatively after that as unfriendly because I didn't speak!

I believe resting your voice is the best option. Hope you feel better soon.

I've lost my voice a number of times in the past - usually because of a cold or similar. Haven't had a cold in quite some time now, tho.

I agree resting your voice and treating the inflammation is the best practice. Try having some gelato 😀

Well I have been resting my voice and trying to text my kid and DH instead. That is pretty difficult but it is peaceful for them because they get a break from me running my mouth non stop about lipstick color and sparkly eyeshadow and other girly things that they have no interest in. I'm saving it all up for when I get my voice back. They won't be able to get a word in for a few days. 😂

I picked up a few things from the pharmacy. Let's pray for a miraculous recovery and my voice being back to normal tomorrow...

@eld6161 that grandmother seems like a total handful. It almost reminds me of the things my mom would come up with when she was alive with dementia. Of course there was no reasoning with her.

I used to lose my voice every summer at sleep away camp. It is my body's way of telling me that I'm not getting enough sleep. This still holds true today. Agree with all that resting is key.

Are you going to be able to go to the Amalfi Coast on another day? I’m not sure if you’ve been there before - it is beautiful!

I’ve had voice issues before (after cheering on my team at the super bowl, for example) - but I’ve only had true laryngitis once before. It happened three days before high school graduation - shortly after grad rehearsal. I was giving a speech - and the teacher running the rehersal (inside at the auditorium) explained to me that it would be different at the stadium - I would hear a two second delay of what I had said due to way the sound from the speakers would travel back towards me at the football stadium (and sometimes messed people up while giving their speech).

My throat was a little sore - but I think my doctor thought it was psychological. I was already nervous about speaking in front of such a large group of people (560 in my class + all their families + teachers). Now that I had been told about how the mic “feedback“ had the potential to throw me off, I was extra nervous!

My best friend agreed to be my ”understudy” just in case + no talking (at all) until graduation day. My voice came back about two hours before graduation - it probably was psychological - but everything went fine.

I hope your voice returns to normal ASAP.

I am very jealous of your trip! I love Italy - and need to go back there soon!

Just realized I didn't answer the question about how long - usually just a day or 2, unless you aggravate things.

I get laryngitis when my allergies emerge twice a year. Always lasts about 2 weeks. Not much you can do. Even whispering can hurt and keep it going longer. "Whispering" also makes my throat tired.

Italy is a favorite of mine as well. Enjoy!

Use Google Translate. Go into an apothecary (green cross on sign). Explain to chemist (this is where Google Translate comes in) the problem. Although my experience in Europe is that the chemists often speak some English.

There is a cute little apothecary in Sorrento close to the street market. I bought Voltaren there OTC for $11 when it was selling Rx only in the US and my co-pay was $70!

Like others above, I’m plagued by laryngitis during allergy season. Maybe try some antihistamines. Mine never lasts more than a couple of days.

MIL had laryngitis and had a polyp on her vocal cords. She had to go to speech therapy and it ultimately resolved. So, it was a little more involved than just a typical cold.

I am really surprised at how many of you have had multiple bouts of laryngitis. This is probably my 4th time in 5 decades. I woke up this morning with my throat feeling like it was on fire. I purchased a throat numbing spray that worked miracles. I don't think they sell this is the USA. If you have sore throat problems and ever find yourself in Italy, I suggest picking up several bottles.

Last year I had a sore throat for 3+ months. No real laryngitis but my voice was hoarse. Finally went to ENT; it was reflux, but laryngial (sp?) reflux. No digestive issues, just a sore throat. I took a prescription med for a couple of months. It hasn’t come back, so far.

Dani

Isn't it crazy the illnesses that stress cause. We were able to take a boat to Amalfi today. It was very beautiful but too busy for my liking. We are staying in Sorrento which is more my pace.

Sjerin

The kids matched your volume with whispers? I have had a couple of adults do the same. It's pretty funny. They even continue with the whispers when I tell them I can't hear them.

Bbstx

I found the same with Voltaren in Barcelona. It was 3% otc. That % in the USA requires a prescription.

Sueb20

I don't know if I could make it three months with a sore throat. I am sure that was a challenge!

Gsciencechick

I am glad all is well now with your MIL

I know someone who had laryngitis, it lasted for several months and finally she got her voice back but a month or two later she had laryngitis again and it lasted a year. She went in cycles of briefly having a voice and years without one. She has never been able to figure out why this happens. Its been about 30 years. It is just horrible.

ilikefriday- it is quite amazing how stress can cause illnesses or aggravate your health (which is what I’ve been dealing with for several years - the underlying cause of my other health issues/diseases = systemic mastocytosis - geatly affected by stress, especially emotional stress).

We toured the Amalfi Coast by private boat. We visited Isle of Capri (crazy busy) and Positano (plus, went to dinner there a couple nights - my SO knew the owner of a restaurant there - so, we had to eat there!) Positano is beautiful - from the water. I’m glad that we didn’t stay in either place.

We stayed in Ravello for a few nights - much quieter - during the music festival (stayed at the Palazzo Avino - right in the center of Ravello - has a really cool beach club down the side of a cliff).

We also stayed in Conca dei Marini (located between Amalfi and Positano - about 10k to each) for a few days - at a boutique hotel (20 total rooms/suites) that used to be a 17th century monastery (Montasaro Santa Rosa) - it was thoughtfully renovated over a decade+ from 2000 - 2012 (the spa was AMAZING - they kept the vaulted ceilings + arched windows that were in the nuns rooms- which were beautiful + the doorways into rooms were much shorter than normal). It was a short drive to Amalfi.

The infinity pool looks like it goes right over into the sea. . .

I know that I have a better photo of the infinity pool - but I’ve started separating pure landscape photos from ones where people are in the photo (even if it’s only my back - I hate having my photo taken - I am not photogenic 😂).

Hope your laryngitis is better - and am still very jealous re: your trip! 💜

Sue i had to look that up! Never heard of it.

"Laryngopharyngeal reflux is a lesser-known form of acid reflux in which stomach acid travels all the way into your throat, causing symptoms there. LPR can be the underlying cause of hoarseness, laryngitis, chronic throat clearing and related symptoms. "

Hope you are feeling better ilikefriday! Enjoy the rest of your trip. : )

How am I just now seeing this thread?!

Hugs, Friday, I’m so sorry this happened on your trip, and hope you feel better soon! ❤️

@jojoco well it seems you found your voice when necessary at summer camp 🏕️

Hope you get better soon Friday! No fair getting sick for a great vacation! Maybe you can find some strong ginger tea over there. That seems to help me. With some honey.

Dani

I have spent about an hour learning about systemic mastocytosis, LPR too. Makes me feel silly complaining about laryngitis... Sorry that you are having to deal with that. Italy is beautiful. My DH is from a small Caribbean island. The mountains and architecture here remind me a lot of the Caribbean. I am drawn to this little town of Sorrento. I could definitely come here again. Your photos are simply breathtaking. What are you talking about not being photogenic? The pool photo looks like it was made for a magazine.

SEA SEA

Believe it our not, I keep a travel bag packed for spare of the moment trips and one of my staple items is strong ginger tea. I have been alternating that with hot water and lemon.

Jilly

Thanks for the hugs. My voice is still completely gone but that has not stopped me from having fun and exploring this beautiful place. We are headed back to Milan tomorrow and then deciding where we will spend our last few days here.

Oh Mtn, I definitely found my voice at summer camp, Lol (although silently batting eyelashes probably wasn't a bad technique either.)

headed back to Milan tomorrow and then deciding where we will spend our last few days here.

Hands down, head to the lakes region. Rick Steves: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/italian-lakes

Even though it is 2.5hr by fast train from Milan, I'd vote Venice. The reason being that while the LD is fabulous, Venice is truly a singular, irreplaceable destination.

Venice, without a doubt. There is no place like it; it’s unimaginably beautiful.
I found it very easy to avoid crowds- when you see one, just go the other way; most tourists are in a few distinct areas and don’t venture far, as they are afraid to get lost…getting lost is the best part! Also, the Biennale is happening now, if you’re interested.

If you go to Venice, don’t forget to check to see if you are going to be there on one of the days when you must pay to enter the city. https://www.travelandleisure.com/venice-website-day-visitor-fee-ticket-8430756

General information on the fee https://www.travelandleisure.com/venice-2024-day-trip-tourist-fee-8638865#:~:text=The%20fee%2C%20which%20is%20in,at%20Venice's%20main%20access%20points.

Enjoy! I love Venice. There’s a JW Marriott there in its own island and they have a roof top pool overlooking the city. It’s beautiful.

And on the topic of unexplained laryngitis and hoarse voice - it can be a sign of thyroid issues.

We ended up deciding on Venice and are headed there tomorrow. You are all great travel agents!

After that, back to life in the USA but I will only be home for a day. Then I am headed to Scottsdale and San Francisco. By the time I actually return home for good I will need to sleep for a full week straight.

Btw, my voice is starting to come back. I think in 2 or 3 days it will be back to normal. I am very excited about that!

The Hilton Molino Stuckey also has a wonderful rooftop bar. We watched sunset from there. I enjoyed the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, too. Have coffee and dessert at night at Caffe Florian in St. Mark’s Square and listen to their orchestra. It is a bit over-priced but worth it for the experience.

We used the VisitACity app to map out our sightseeing in Venice. We were very pleased with the results.

As I understand it, the new“entrance fee” is quite minimal, and is not applicable to visitors who spend the night in Venice proper- which I would absolutely recommend doing. If you go, ride the Vaporetto down the Grand Canal at sunset, and watch the Murano chandeliers light up in the palazzo windows! Also, I recommend visiting Ca d’Oro, the Fortuny Museum, and the Guggenheim Museum, among others. Have an Aperol Spritz in Piazza St. Stefano.

For me laryngitis is a really common symptom when I have a cold or flu. I often completely lose my voice for a day or two and then probably around a week with diminished voice and hoarseness. I've never seen a doctor for it, or at least not as an adult. I just know it's how my body seems to react to viruses and I just have to give it time.