Tech: Vocal cord paralysis

Subject: Tech: Vocal cord paralysis
From: GUEST,JB
Date: 30 Aug 18 - 10:18 AM

Almost 3 weeks ago I suddenly lost my voice after playing at a street festival. It started with a numb feeling in my right face, which then progressed to a pain in right ear, then hoarseness and subsequently total loss of voice. After medication the ear pain disappeared and I have no pain now, but also no voice.
After several visits to different ear and throat specialists, I was finally diagnosed with Vocal chord paralysis, or paresis.
I am now having logopedic therapy to try and re-activate the vocal chords, but progress is very slow. I have had loads of blood tests carried out to detect any signs of a viral infection and I have had MRT scans on the brain and throat area looking for signs of tumours. So far all my tests have been good and all the exoerts seem to be in the dark as to what the cause is. Some feel it could be pychosomatic as I lost my dear wife to cancer after a long illness just 8 weeks ago and am totally devastated and lost without her. We were married for forty years.
I just wanted to know if anybody has had any experience with this phenomenon and how things worked out for them.
Naturally I have had to cancel all my gigs and can not say if I will recover or how long recovery might take.
I would really appreciate any information or suggestions on this.
Sincerely.
JB

Subject: RE: Tech: Vocal cord paralysis
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Aug 18 - 10:38 AM

Condolences on the loss of your wife, JB, and it sure *feels* like this might be connected, doesn't it? Have you also thought about seeing a psychologist or other mental health professional to help with the grieving process? You may need to talk yourself to a cure.

Best wishes and good luck with resolving this.

Subject: RE: Tech: Vocal cord paralysis
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 30 Aug 18 - 10:56 AM

If this helps just a little...

How Shirley Collins Got Her Voice Back


"My voice just — my throat locked," she says.
"I was trying not to weep.
Some nights I could manage a few notes, sometimes nothing came out at all when I opened my mouth.
And it was in front of an audience, you know, and the band."

Collins developed a form of dysphonia, a condition often associated with psychological trauma."

This is just a brief PR news item.
But googling further might go into more depth on her recovery...

Subject: RE: Tech: Vocal cord paralysis
From: Raedwulf
Date: 30 Aug 18 - 12:26 PM

I have no experience of this at all. Beyond the trite "it sounds like it could well be something psychosomatic / psychological at the root", I can offer you nothing.

Except my best wishes. Which every 'catter who responds will also offer, and hopefully that will be a small source of comfort in difficult times. The only thing I can add it is that everything you've shared so far says there is no physical cause, so there is equally no cause to fear that your voice will not, in time, return. If it is a psychological problem, then stressing & fretting will only inhibit improvement, so try to be relaxed about it. Accept that this is where you are now, and do your best to deal with the larger problems you've got right now. You might well find that working through stuff helps with the paresis.

Oh, and please keep us up to date with any positive progress, so that we can all cheer you on! ;-)

                                                                                                                                                                            {{{{{{{{{{GUEST,JB}}}}}}}}}}

Subject: RE: Tech: Vocal cord paralysis
From: leeneia
Date: 30 Aug 18 - 12:54 PM

You have my sympathy, JB.

Do any Mudcatters have personal experience with this?

Subject: RE: Tech: Vocal cord paralysis
From: GUEST,JB
Date: 30 Aug 18 - 01:35 PM

Oops! sorry for the incorrect spelling.
The story about Shirley Collins was very moving.
What worries me a bit is that the lady specialist who diagnosed me with this condition (a throat specialist and so-called phoniatrist) did not seem overly optimistic about getting the voice back. When I asked her directly about my recovery chances, She said she was concerned that singing is my job.
I`m certainly not giving up.
JB

Subject: RE: Tech: Vocal cord paralysis
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 30 Aug 18 - 05:02 PM

So sorry to hear this, JB, and my condolences for the loss of your wife.
While there may be a psychological element to this coming so soon after your sad loss, I would not rule out the viral theory.
Must be about 15 or so years ago, I developed a sore throat, resulting in terrifying croup every night for about about 4 weeks: really thought I'd never be able to draw another breath. My singing voice went out of the window then, very hoarse and unpleasant. It was before the smoking ban, and any attempt to sing in a smoky environment brought on the croup again.
I was referred to an ENT consultant who looked at my vocal cords and send one of them was paralysed, presumed cause being viral. I also had an MRI scan, which ruled out any more serious pathology.
I was reviewed after some months (?^ months), by which time my voice was back to normal and a repeat laryngoscopy showed that both vocal cords were again working properly. So I am throwing out some grains of hope to you, JB for a complete recovery, given time, but that may be measured in months. And one "silver lining" for me was that the "break in register" that plagued me before all this had gone away!
I'll also mention a dear friend, and professional singer, who was unlucky enough to contract adult whooping cough last year (yes, it is on the rise again). she has had to rest her voice completely for months on end,having been used to being able to sing for hours at a time. But she is slowly getting back to it.
And finally, you might find it helpful to go to a speech and language therapist for further advice.
All my best wishes and hopes for safe return of your voice.

Subject: RE: Tech: Vocal cord paralysis
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 30 Aug 18 - 05:12 PM

That was supposed to be 6 months not ^months!

Subject: RE: Tech: Vocal cord paralysis
From: GUEST,Kristoffer Ross
Date: 30 Aug 18 - 07:46 PM

JB,
    Oh, Lordy. I can only offer you my sincerest wishes, not only for your complete recovery, but also for your spirits to stay strong as you work through it and your grief. I'm a young newcomer here, but it warms me to see the genuine care these Mudcat folk show to one another through these pages, and I hope that it can serve as a comfort to you.
    Bless,
~Kristoffer

Subject: RE: Tech: Vocal cord paralysis
From: GUEST,JB
Date: 31 Aug 18 - 11:07 AM

Really appreciate everyone`s input so far and I believe one has to be patient, but there is hope.
JB

Subject: RE: Tech: Vocal cord paralysis
From: vectis
Date: 03 Sep 18 - 12:26 AM

I have no advice which you haven't already had apart from some humming which friends do after they have had throat infections leading to loss of voice. Humming seems to have helped them get their voices back.

Be gentle with yourself and don't push it too hard once the voice starts to come back.

Subject: RE: Tech: Vocal cord paralysis
From: Mark Ross
Date: 03 Sep 18 - 01:03 AM

I have been suffering from a loss of vocal power and range for a while now. I finally got to see an ENT who looked at my vocal chords and said that they looked fine. He sent me to a speech therapist (who also happens to suffer from a paralyzed vocal chord) who diagnosed my problem as a vocal tremor. He set to doing some exercises designed to strengthen my diaphragm. It seems to be working, I have about 60-70% of my old voice back, and we hope that my voice will continue to improve over time.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Tech: Vocal cord paralysis
From: GUEST,JB Update
Date: 02 Dec 18 - 12:39 PM

As a mattery of courtesy and to show my appreciation to the Mudcatters who answered my stress signal when my vocals had completely disappeared, I just wanted to give you an update on developments. Radewulf also suggested I keep you posted. The good news is that the vocals are making a good recovery although according to the ENT expert, there is still a paralysis on the right side. However, just as predicted, the left side seems to compensate more and more, so that most people, even my sons who play with me think my voice has recovered completely. I still recognize some limitations but hey, it`s still only a little over three months ago, so I`m feeling very pleased with the progress and it can only get better I feel. I feel the logopedic sppech teherapy/exercises were very helpful, but most importantly I feel the electro-stimulation treatment was very effective. In fact I am still having this treatment.
Last Thursday night was a major occasion for me as I decided to play a gig together with my great pal Keith on the fiddle and my son JP on guitar and tenor banjo at my old haunt in the Irish pub in Munich, where it all started about 40 years ago. Naturally I was very nevous that the voice would not hold up, but I was surrounded by great friends and fans and the evening was pure magic. It seems everyone knew about my situation with the voice and having recently lost my wife to cancer.
Finally on the Saturday night we played a few songs at home and someone made a quick recording. No idea if this will work or not.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAF2tMiO_qk
This shows that the voice is still a bit shaky, but on the mend. Please enjoy everyone and thanks to all. JB

Subject: RE: Tech: Vocal cord paralysis
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 02 Dec 18 - 01:09 PM

Very pleased to hear of your good progress JB: if it's like mine, another 3 months should see it better still. The clip is great, and the voice sounds fine!
Here's the magic blue clicky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAF2tMiO_qk

Subject: RE: Tech: Vocal cord paralysis
From: GUEST,JB
Date: 02 Dec 18 - 01:20 PM

Oh yes, thanks for that. Not my strong point.

Subject: RE: Tech: Vocal cord paralysis
From: leeneia
Date: 02 Dec 18 - 02:54 PM

Thanks for getting back to us JB. I enjoyed your singing on the video.