Hi is there anyone on this forum who like me as had a total laryngectomy?I had it done last year after first having half my left lung removed with cancer I have nodules in my right lung which they are monitoring I'm scanned every 6 months for that.I have a speaking valve fitted but it leaks intermittently but my consultant says if its not causing problems leave well alone its ok him saying that he doesn't have to thicken all his drinks which causes my secretions to be thick so I have to keep sectioning and it tastes horrible.
Hi Maggie, I'm Tony one of the Lary's Dani mentioned, I don't normally use bad language but your consultant is an idiot you cannot go through having a Lary and suffer leakage the valve quite simply needs replacing, mine possibly last 3- 6 months between valve changes
Are you not assigned to your Speech Therapist as they are the people who look after your stoma and Laryngectomy after the surgery, please get in touch with them asap, in the interim do you know where it's leaking from the centre or round the side. Get someone to look inside with a torch and you drink some milk that should show where the leak is from
Please contact your Hospital asap to arrange the change, there must be a speech therapy department if they conducted the operation
Do get back to me if you still have problems and I can source further support if you need it
Keep in touch
Tony
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Voicebox Cancer- Laryngectomy 2020 and Oesophagus survivor 2022
Good evening Maggie13, i only had a speech valve fitted when i had my laryngectomy operation but due to damage elswhere in that area i could not use it as it would not work , so it was removed. Can i ask why you have to thicken your drinks. Sorry i could not help with the speech valve, i agree if they are leaking then it needs to be looked at. All the best.
Chris x
Its sometimes not easy but its worth it !
