So I've lost my voice

A white board.

Sorry, no real answers, although I agree with gsquaredmom 's suggestion for iced drinks. Normally, I will break out the hot drinks when I get a sore throat (usually the first step in my developing a cold), but I came down with something in October that made me lose my voice for a week, and the hot drinks really hurt. The iced drinks (which I prefer anyhow) felt a lot more soothing that time around. I was surprised.

Feel better.

ETA: I'd also probably pop some advil or other NSAID to try to reduce the inflammation.

I have tried honey before and it seemed to help. If not, at least it tastes good. I always found my classes were the best behaved when I couldn't talk. I was generally a pretty loud and active teacher and the kids would try to match me.

Are iced drinks really recommended? I hate hot drinks. I hate all hot drinks so if I know ice water is helping then that is what I will continue to do. I love my ice water!

Dairy increases mucus production, so if you're having to cough to clear gunk, take milk and cheese out of your diet. Coughing is worse than talking. Keep hydrated, and above all, REST your voice.

Get better soon!

Hot brandy - seriously!

Rest and hydration. Remember that nothing you eat or drink actually touches the vocal cords, so teas are of limited use except that they may feel soothing. Rest is most important.

I think that most physicians, when you're ill, would probably recommend that you get plenty of fluids however you choose to consume them.

I love a tea made of lemon, honey, a tiny touch of cayenne, and a LOT of ginger. It's great for a cough, and it feels great on an irritated throat.

Cough drops can be soothing and keep you from getting too dried out.

It's soooooo hard not to push the voice when you have laryngitis. If you're still voiceless in a day or two, seriously consider taking the last couple of days of the week off so you can REST it for 4-5 days in a row. That would probably help more than anything, but I know what a pain it is to write up sub plans!

Drink regular Coke. No diet or flavored, good old-fashioned Coke

DD lost her voice, doctor was treating her for sinus infection etc, nothing seemed to help her voice. friend suggested a Coke, she kept dismissing the idea, and then they were at a party and someone convinced her to drink Coke. short time later her voice was back.

she has had times that it doesn't work, but most times it does help.

It does not hurt to give your vocal chords a rest. You should see an ENT if it continues. My problem was exacerbated by acid reflux that I did not know I had. When it got so bad it was affecting my breathing, I was finally sent to an ENT who discovered all the vocal chord issues. (In those days, you had to have a referral to specialists or the insurance would not cover it)

I did not mean to scare you and hope you understand that. I just wanted to be sure you were being careful. So many times we just don't realize the long term consequences.