Hi Everyone,

I sing for a living here in the UK playing guitar. I really enjoy it but have been having voice/throat problems of late! A few gigs I've had to finish early due to not being able to reach certain notes that I usually get with ease! I've been singing for about 27 years professionally but mostly in bands. Now I'm solo I'm experiencing problems! I drink water mainly on the gigs and have been using Vocalzone pastilles on gig days. I try to rest my voice between gigs as I usually work at the weekends. I've also keyed some backing tracks down using the excellent 'Transcribe' software. I also suffer from silent reflux which means (for those who don't know..) stomach acid travelling up to the throat and affecting the vocal chords. I have had the camera up the nose and looking down my throat treatment and they found nothing. I'm on acid suppressant liquid ('Gaviscon') and tablets called 'Repabrazole' (otherwise known as 'Pariet'. Have also tried Sanderson's Throat Specific Mixture which you can either take neat or dilute with water and gargle! This I've got to try as I've heard it's very good! Taken orally it's the worst tasting medicine ever but they say the worst tasting ones re the best don't they? ;-) I'm booked in to the ENT again for next month but I'm still worried about my singing future! Hot honey and Lemon also is good to take on the gigs with you in a flask! Anyone with any other suggestions please let me know!

Best wishes,

Colin :-)