I am 43 year old smoker(since I was 13) and for the past 8-9 months I have had a hoarse throat with a feeling of something in it and a painful ear ache. I have had my thyroid checked and they say it is fine. My voice keeps going in and out and scratchy as well. I know that this isn't just a cold or flu bug it's something more and it doesn't seem to want to go away! I am suppose to see a specialist at some point but I was just wondering if anyone had some suggestions on what it could be!! :confused: kimberley

I quit smoking in 1983 having smoked since 1961 as a freshman in college. My throat felt like hell, raw and sore, all the time... I felt like I was getting throat cancer. I was lucky, no cancer, and it is 2008.

See a physician, get a chest x-ray, and quit smoking.

LIfe is absolutely wonderful without cigarettes. :)

Thank you for the input!! :)

I think you should see a specialist ASAP. The horseness could be laryngitis. But with a persitant ear ache, it could be referred pain from the larynx or neck and that in a smoker is not something to be ignored or treated at home. An X-ray will not show anything either. You need to see a throat guy SOON. And if you mention about your symptoms (smoker,hoarseness of voice AND earache) you should get an appointment within the week.

I concur with sypriya that you need to see a dr fast. The fact you have smoked for this many years with no consequences just means that you have been lucky so far. Throat hoarseness and ear problems means it's not good. Everything in your neck and head are so interconnected that one thing goes and it takes something else with it. There are nerves around your ears that can be triggered by your throat. If I get swollen glands my ear hurts like the ens. Don't try to self treat this if it continues for more than a week tops.