Ciricoarytinoid is what it is called.
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Cricoarytenoid-what? Another not-so-known symptom of RA and Lupus

Cricoarytenoid Arthritis. Ever heard of it? Most people haven’t. There is a weird silent suggestion that CA is rare, but is it? Not at all. In fact, post-mortem findings from the American College of Rheumatology found that 7 out of every 8 patients show evidence of CA at autopsy. I learned about this unfortunate aspect of my disease when my ears and throat were constantly hurting with no apparent cause.

So what is CA?

CA is really a symptom common in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus (among other conditions, but these two are most common). Despite it’s frequency among patients, it’s one of those areas that you would never think could be affected by the disease nor is it discussed or known by patients to be associated with their autoimmune disease(s). Cricoarytenoid arthritis occurs in the cricoarytenoid joints, between the cricoid and arytenoid cartilages in the back of the larynx

The function of the C-Joints? Tone changes of the voice by rotating as your vocal chords vibrate. Your CJ helps open, close, and tighten your vocal cords while talking and breathing. (Note: terms “cricoarytenoid joint,” “cricoarytenoid joints,” and “cartilages” are often used interchangeably in various studies/articles. The findings remain the same regardless of name usage).

What happens when this joint is affected by Autoimmune Arthritis or Lupus?

Hoarseness or loss of voice
Difficulty breathing
The feeling of something being stuck in your throat
Earache/pain
Pain with swallowing (odynophagia)
Anterior neck pain
Nodules

(For reference: the diagram is from an Anteiolateral view: meaning to the front and away from the middle/to one side)

In addition to your c-joint(s) being affected, your ears can take a hit from your disease if the ossicular joints become involved. Ossicular joints are the joints of the three tiny bones in your ear (the malleus/“hammer,” incus/“anvil,” and the stapes/“stirrup”). Rarely, this results in hearing loss (usually during extremely acute flares), but can cause frequent pain.

Treatment for Cricoarytenoid Arthritis depends upon your physician’s findings, the severity of your symptoms and the course of treatment you’re on for your disease, but generally involves steroid injections or usage. CA is often not detected among exam. Another weird symptom. Who knew?

Your larynx has tiny "joints" in it, just like ears or ribs.
All of this can get inflamed & make you hoarse. It's pretty common in the RA group I talk with the most.

One thing I have experienced with RA is muscle spasms. I askec about them at an RA meeting and was told it is rare! I don't care how flippin' rare it is, I do suffer from them, end of.

I loose my voice when I am having a flare. That is one good sign that I need to rest. Sometimes it comes and goes. The doctor told me that RA attacks your larynx causing inflammation and loss of voice. One time I loss my voice for over 3 months. I hope your voice comes back soon.

My voice always sounds like I'm half growling at people now lol.
When I am actually mad - students think I'm really really angry! Lol