Croak

Subject: Croak
From: Thompson
Date: 13 Jan 17 - 04:38 AM

Fifty years of inhalers and my voice sounds very froggy - hadn't realised quite how croaky it was till I went to record myself speaking yesterday. I can no longer sing - it started off with being off the note and by now what comes out is a creaky whisper.
Is there any solution to this?
I'm not a singer, or any kind of a musician, so this isn't an urgent question; I post it here partly because others may be helped by the answers but mainly out of the selfish knowledge that people here will probably know how to solve it, if there is a solution.

Subject: RE: Croak
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 Jan 17 - 06:06 AM

Yiu may have benign polyps/nodes/cysts (different names for the same things!) in your larynx. They would cause the issue you describe. As ever, when asking for info on a discussion forum, the best advice is to go and ask your doctor!

Subject: RE: Croak
From: Thompson
Date: 13 Jan 17 - 06:19 AM

Hm. Could be. But when I first went on a steroid inhaler (becotide), the doc said it would give me a sexy huskiness in the voice…

Subject: RE: Croak
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 Jan 17 - 06:35 AM

Yep. Those inhalers can do it too!

Subject: RE: Croak
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Jan 17 - 08:04 AM

Cigarettes and whisky consumed in shady bars late at night will eventually cause the problems you describe.

But instead of lamenting (or celebrating) your sordid past, please go see a doctor. It could be something very serious.

Subject: RE: Croak
From: Thompson
Date: 13 Jan 17 - 08:37 AM

I see the doctor often enough, and croaks are a known side-effect of steroid inhalers, but thanks for your concern.
I was just vaguely hoping to break into song some time again.

Subject: RE: Croak
From: Charmion
Date: 13 Jan 17 - 08:42 AM

Like Rap says, Thompson. Do it; see the doc and, if you get blown off with remarks about sexy huskiness, ask for a referral to an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat guy).

I am both a singer and a bad asthmatic. I used inhaled steroids every day for the better part of 30 years, and my voice is as clear as it ever was, if somewhat weaker due to shortness of breath.

Subject: RE: Croak
From: Thompson
Date: 13 Jan 17 - 12:04 PM

Oh all right, I'll ask him, but he'll think I'm a lunatic! I've been on steroids for… let's see… actually, was using inhalers for maybe 50 years, but the steroids only appeared in the 1970s or so. Since then, and increasingly strong Becotide, and now Duovent.
The sexy huskiness pledge isn't my current doc, it was the one who put me on Becotide all those years ago, God rest him, when I asked whether there were any side effects.
But the not being able to sing any more started maybe 10 years ago and has gradually got worse. It might partly be because I don't sing at all - used to sing around the house and so on.

Subject: RE: Croak
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Jan 17 - 12:20 PM

He shouldn't think you're a lunatic, I can remember at least two mudcatters who brought up throat problems in threads here, were encouraged to see a doctor, and ended up with a diagnosis of cancer and resulting surgery (they're both still with us).

Subject: RE: Croak
From: Thompson
Date: 13 Jan 17 - 03:54 PM

But these were singers. I'm a listener! Only reason I'm here is that occasionally I can give some knowledge on Irish songs. If only I could still sing! But that's been gone from me for many years.

Subject: RE: Croak
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Jan 17 - 12:00 AM

You have a Voice that you're concerned about, so whether you sing or not, get it checked out.

Subject: RE: Croak
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 14 Jan 17 - 10:05 AM

I've had a hell of a croaky voice for the last two weeks and I've been coughing my guts up, but I'm on the mend at last. Tried singing in the kitchen last night and it came out all funny. I have a big, loud voice and I can hit the note all right, but it just never sounds right. I can't ever admit here that I can't sing because Jim'll turn up and tell me off as he thinks that everybody can sing (I'm sure he's right). I'd love to be able to go out there with confidence and have a go. I'll stick to the harmonica for now.