I don't think it is good medical advice when you say that most cases of Laryngitis don't require a visit to the doctor, when you're also saying that it may due to a Stroke or other serious diseases. While Laryngitis is NOT a serious medical concern, it doesn't hurt to go the doctor to rule out other potentially deadly illness like a stroke or pneumonia.

This past year I seem to get reoccurring laryngitis. I am not a smoker and do not have a cold with it. Gargling with warm salt water and stoking tea with honey seems to help a little but won't go away! This time I've had it over a week.

In September of 2009, I had a bad head cold that quickly turned into bronchitis. The doctor gave me a steroid and antibiotic. The symptoms all subsided within a few weeks except for the laryngitis. I was not over the laryngitis yet when I came down with another very severe cold with almost the exact same symptoms. This was in January of 2010. There was a lot of drainage down my throat but very little coughing. I was given the same drugs and had the same results that left me with laryngitis that was so bad I couldn't talk at all for three days. Most of my voice has returned now (June 2010) except I still have a very raspy throat and feel very winded when I talk. After the first cold, the doctor told me I had acid reflux and treated me with medication for reflux. I told the doctor I didn't think I had reflux as I have no other symptoms except the laryngitis, but I did as I was told. After the second cold, another doctor again told me it was acid reflux and sent me to a throat specialist. He said to continue on the medication for acid reflux and put me on a special diet of no alcohol, citrus, spicy foods, cheese, no snacks at night and raised the head of the bed 6 inches. He had checked my vocal chords, which were red and swollen. There were no nodules or sign of cancer. He also told me to take pills to reduce mucus and allergy pills even though I have never been diagnosed with allergy problems. None of the medications for acid reflux or other pills have helped. I am going to see another throat specialist tomorrow. I'm about ready to accept the fact that I will always have a raspy throat. Bummer!

I have had laryngitis for one week now, and I believe that it is caused from the stress that I'm under. I saw my doctor last Friday as I thought I had pneumonia because my chest and back were hurting. Instead, I found out that I had strained my muscles from coughing. Also, I found out that there is something in my throat, and I have to keep coughing very, very hard until I get something up to clear my airway. When I finally do catch my breath, my face is red and my heart is beating very hard. I have also had bad chest pains. It felt as if I was going to have a heart attack. My whole chest was in pain, and a strong pressure was on it. Thank God it finally calmed down. I am now on my second week of antibiotics and find that they are helping as the swelling that I had on the side of my neck.

My laryngitis is an annual visitor. This is the third time in three years! My mistake was thinking that I could whisper. Oops! I just read the articles and found out that I was wrong. I'm a teacher, so I'm out for a day and a half, but my recovery time has typically been a few days. I have a sore throat, fever, and total loss of voice.

I have had laryngitis for about 3 months now. I have thyroid disease and went to see my endocrinologist 3 weeks ago. She ordered a thyroid ultrasound and even though my thyroid is enlarged, I am told it is not the cause. I now have an apptointment with an ENT next week to see what they say. I am frustrated and concerned. In the end of June, I woke up one morning and noticed a huge change in my voice. I thought I was getting a cold. Never got sick and it has progressively got worse. I have a hard time even having a conversation anymore because I have to strain so much just to talk and I constantly feel like I have a lump in my throat and sometimes have to spit. I also have a very dry cough when I try to talk too much.

So I have Laryngitis and to top it off I have Strep Throat. It's horrible! I can't sleep, eat, talk, spit up cause it hurts so bad. I'm so frustrated.