Post flu - lost vocal range

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: GUEST,Alexia
Date: 10 May 12 - 11:39 AM

The only thing that helps me get my voice back after I begin to really lose it (usually I go back and forth between hoarse, mute, and squeaky for about 6 weeks before I realize I can't sleep it away) is a good, old-fashioned dose of steroids. Prednisone or a similar corticosteroid will reduce the swelling and relax the vocal cords, and I swear, I start getting my voice back the next day. You still need rest and it takes some time, but there's no more flip-flopping back and forth between progress and regression. In a few days you should feel good as new. (For infections, I get it prescribed with a Z-Pack - I think it's about 5 days worth of a broad spectrum antibiotic that kills everything and keeps working after the pills are gone. Together,these drugs make me feel better almost instantly. Might take 2 weeks more to be in peak shape though.)

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 02:48 AM

ask GP to refer you to Ear Nose and Throat specialist.

Subject: Laryngitis lost my voice completely
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 02:33 AM

its been almost 10 days and the doctor just keeps telling me not speack at all. he gave me some antibiotics but nothing is happening... any body have any ideas on i what should i do?

Subject: RE: Post flu - loss voice can't talk
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 04:03 PM

I got the flu shot and in 5 days got a cold and I still have not voice

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: Genie
Date: 30 Nov 05 - 12:12 AM

DK if what I have is "something that's going around," Guest. I had no fever (but then, I haven't had a fever since I was about 13, no matter how sick I've been). The doc said it wasn't bacterial and no pneumonia -- but, you're right, it still pays to watch out for the possibility of that developing.

Thing is, as of now, whatever ailed me is pretty much gone except for some fatigue, very minor mucus build-up, and -- the really troublesome part -- the loss of my voice.   

(I had a flu shot about a month ago, but I realize there can be varieties of flu.)

Still trying to find out how to get back to singing -- at least for a few hours a week -- ASAP. I can't afford to miss any more gigs than absolutely necessary.   And staying off the phone right now is likely to cost cost me 25% or more of next year's earnings.

This seems to be a real tightrope -- balancing between very real severe income loss over the next 6 to 12 months and the potential long-term loss of vocal ability.   Not an easy balancing act.

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 11:31 PM

If it is the current USA version:
It is NOT the influenza - fever will not reach 102 or above.
It is a virus.
You will feel good, bad, good, bad, bad, for six weeks and begin to doubt you will ever feel normal again.
Good news in the offing, you will probably recover...but watch out for its close brother phneumonia.

Sincerely,

Some folks believe it is a mass innoculation of the masses, by the govt, before bird-flu kicks their asses.

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: Genie
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 11:01 PM

Just want to say this old thread has been very helpful -- and more than a little depressing -- to me now, as I'm getting over the flu or a bad cold (or some other incurable disease) ;-) and it's taking what seems like an eternity (over a week) to get back to where I can sing without a severe break in mid-range.   (I've cancelled gigs, stayed off the phone, and hardly talked at all for a week. Today I tried a little very soft singing -- in my baritone range -- and yesterday when I tried some warm-ups, I could sing in my higher alto and baritone ranges but not in between.

I guess I was expecting better results from resting, taking guaifenasine (to loosen phlegm), sucking zinc lozenges, drinking lots of herb tea and water, and basically staying mute for a week.   Some of you have given very helpful suggestions. But it's depressing to hear that voice loss can last for weeks or months!

I know I need to rest my voice, and I'm doing that, but it also seems unrealistic to let any muscle atrophy for days and then expect it to be less than wobbly when you start using it again.
(BTW, I may not be able to sing again yet, but I just tried humming Over The Rainbow, and I hit all the notes. Sort of.
I guess that's a start.)

Now, where can I find port at this hour? Hmmm....
§;-D

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: Kaleea
Date: 30 Sep 01 - 12:36 AM

As a voice major, I had a nasty creepin' crud that lasted for weeks, and set me back for a semester on my senior recital. My teacher & I did lots of research that semester. As a voice teacher & vocal coach, this is what I preach:

Absolutely no alcohol! It is very damaging to the vocal folds. (mouthwash often contains alcohol) No hot or ice cold liquids *when singing* as this constricts the vocal folds-room temp water is good. To soothe your throat by all means have some warm tea with honey, lemon, peppermint, but no alcohol. Say yes to humming in your "head voice" (oh I hate that term but it's hard to describe in type as the masque). Start on the 5th of the scale & go down, moving up & down your tessitura as it feels good. Try a breathy SSSigh- ) ) )igh (slide down about a fifth like a trombone singing on the word "sigh") I prefer to think of "Cy" as handsome cowboy-- & sigh over him! If it hurts, DO NOT DO IT!. A friend had the instructor across the hall from me. This friend became a beloved character on a soap opera (she's no longer on). She was taught incorrect vocal technique. That instructer often heard "but Mrs. ******, that hurts when I do that" from her students. This friend had vocal nodules, surgery, & mucho vocal problems. Seek out good professional training. Good Luck!

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: Firecat
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 07:48 PM

That has actually happened to me, just before my GCSE Music exam. I found that I didn't have my full vocal range for about six months after a throat infection, and it was really getting me down. I found that my range came back of its own accord after that time, but I drank hot liquids (Not honey and lemon though, cos I don't like it), and resisted the temptation to sing along to my favourite songs on the radio. Every week I would try and do a bit of singing, just to see how my voice was doing, but I only sang for about five minutes at a time. I've got to admit there were times when I thought I would never be able to sing again, but about 18 months down the line from that infection, my vocal range has actually increased from 2 1/2 octaves on a good day or 1 1/2 on a bad day to 3 octaves on a good day and 2 on a bad one, so don't worry, your voice WILL come back. Honest *grin*

Love, butterflies, owls and stars,
Kat. xoxoxoxoxox

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: GUEST,punch the horse
Date: 28 Sep 01 - 11:52 PM

yes ella, it is the one you dilute.

however, the instructions do recommend that you take some undiluted.

as with every thing it effects differant people differant ways, I personnaly have suffered no side effects, so I suppose moderation is the name of the game

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: dorareever
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 01:29 PM

working but not overworking...if I don't practice for a week or two my voice breaks down even if I haven't had a cold or flu.So you just have to re-start your singing routine but never try to match your past efforts if you can't,just like when you don't walk for a while then need therapy for starting again.Same thing.But that's already known by everyone you included I'd bet! Drink a cup of hot tea with a drop of whiskey and honey,that's good for your voice.I always heard alcohol wasn't good for singing but that'not true.Too much is...especially beer which makes your voice shrill and obnoxious...but a little drop of whiskey or brandy is good.I used to chew honey sweets or too,or drink lot of water.Just don't rest too much,keep on working even if on a slow pace,the worst you can do is not singing.The instructor of the last post was right! Just my two cents,I said what I do with my voice,but i'm not an expert,if you have a teacher o trainer maybe he/she knows better about it,

Chiara

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: celticblues5
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 01:04 PM

You guys are more experts than I am, but just wanted to say there is a differing opinion out there - I once knew a voice instructor who RECOMMENDED continuing to sing with a sore throat, as he felt the exercise was beneficial, since it increased the blood flow to the area...(he did not, of course, recommend straining)

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 03:24 AM

ah, I think I've heard of that stuff... If it is the same old stuff, it is an old remedy, and you have to watch out for the ingrediants...

Is it the one you have to dilute? I have a friend who used something similar, and couldn't understand why she was so tired all the time...

It had some sort of seditive stuff in it.

Ella

(off to look for some all the same)

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: GUEST,punch the horse
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 04:21 PM

ammendment to my last thread: it is called:

"SANDERSONS THROAT SPECIFIC MIXTURE"

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: GUEST,punch the horse
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 07:16 AM

Really sympathise with this complaint. Same thing happened to me at whitby fest. this year,especially since I had a gig right in the middle of the fest. After trying some inhalation remedies (as recommended from that well known warballer and arometherapist Maggie Graham)I find what really works for me is "ROBINSONS SPECIFIC THROAT REMEDY" This is a very old remedy and freely available folks, at all chemists.It was recommended to me by an old Trade Union mate as a good thing to use for public speakers (and you know how we lot can talk) at £1.97p the small and round about £3 the large bottle, is excellant value and I am never without a bottle in the old gig bag.

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 03:45 AM

Alison...

I just went yesterday to get my dodgy warbelling checked out by the doc, and to ask for advice....

Told me the choirboy wobble ( voice breaking thing - that I too have) is mostly due to being over tired, and worn out.

Advice, given, no singing for a couple of days (a week) and get lots of sleep...

Seeing as I usually have at least 2 gigs a week, I am going to find that hard... So I asked her if I can book a quiet week next week as this week, I'm too busy...

Hope this insight helps...

Ella

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: harpgirl
Date: 25 Sep 01 - 10:43 PM

...ah, my dear Alison...correlation is not causality. Your vocal problems might be from almost anything you might have been doing in the same time frame as your flu. Remember the butterfly effect! Perhaps it's too much tough sox! *wink*

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: Gloredhel
Date: 25 Sep 01 - 08:49 PM

I sympathize--got a flu two years ago and it took me three months to get the top two notes of my range again. Rest and fluids of almost any kind really are the best remedies, and besides not singing too much, rest your speaking voice as well. It affects your singing voice. And if you are really sensitive to how your voice feels when you're singing properly, be warned that it may not feel the same when you get it back, even though it will sound the same.

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: alison
Date: 25 Sep 01 - 08:21 PM

not over here black walnut... we've just come through winter... I am surprised that so many of you Northern Hemisphere people have got it though.....

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: black walnut
Date: 25 Sep 01 - 10:23 AM

Well, Alison, your thread here has convinced me to take a couple of more days off teaching this week. If I try to sing with this throat as it is, it will only strain it beyond the breaking point.

Doesn't it seem too early in the year to be getting such strong colds? I feel like the viruses are wearing Super-capes this year.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: Alice
Date: 25 Sep 01 - 09:37 AM

Yes, rest and wait before you start doing the exercises and singing again. (Hope you got my email on the resting bit.) Especially if you have a sore throat, try not to sing until you've recovered.

Alice

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: GUEST,Alison C
Date: 25 Sep 01 - 07:18 AM

Thyme tea is good for helping lost voices (but don't overdo it as it is also a diuretic). And hot lemon and honey is also good. But importantly - DON'T SING! Don't even talk if you can avoid it. You are still recovering, and you must let it happen gradually. The same thing happened to me last August - two weeks of flu, with no voice at all. A fortnight after I got better, I did a gig, and finished it with again no voice (and frightened that I'd done permanent damage). Rest and wait!

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: alison
Date: 25 Sep 01 - 01:28 AM

I think you mean echidnas Liz!! lol.... Ozzie hedgehog / porcupine type creature........ not good to gargle with....lol

get well soon all of you other flu / sinusitis sufferers...

maybe we should open a croak room at paltalk and go practice our exercises together....

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 25 Sep 01 - 01:15 AM

Kendall, why would gargling with achidnas and seals help? It feels like I've been gargling with the achidna anyway.... I think I got that flu here! Bugger.

Haven't even tried to sing for a few days, think I will not bother for a week!

Will try the brandy/port based recipes, although 6.00am is a little early even for me!!

LTS

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: alison
Date: 25 Sep 01 - 12:57 AM

sounds great WW...... I quite fancy lying around in some hot springs for a while

thanks everyone, and especially Alice for the exercises....

this did happen a few years back and I lost my singing voice completely for 3 months..... thankfully its not as bad this time round...... looks like I'll just need to be patient..........

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: WyoWoman
Date: 25 Sep 01 - 12:45 AM

Hey Fair One, Sorry to hear you've been feelin' puny. I had a terrible flu/bronchitis/laryngitis/pharyngitis and general epizoodic last March and thought I'd lost my voice for good. It went completely away for a couple of weeks, which was good for the sympathy vote, but not great for the fact that I was trying to hustle a new job and needed to talk to the prospective boss every few days. Didn't want him thinking I was unreliable, or that I had a sickly disposition, but I just couldn't make a sound a couple of times when I tried to call him back.

It finally all got better, but it took weeks, literally. Good thing I didn't have any gigs lined up at the time. (Nor at this one, actually.) I'm 100 percent now. However, I didn't do myself any good by trying to force it before it was ready. So ... I'd say a steady course of hot toddies, deliciously hot baths-if-you-can-have-more-than-5-minutes-with-kids-in-the-house, and rest, rest, rest. Be consciously kind to yourself. If you were here and I were back in the mountains, I'd hie you off to a hot springs I know of and we'd go float around letting you see how different the stars are here.

ww

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: nutty
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 06:24 PM

I've always relied on rum to soothe the vocal chords .... one great advantage of copious amounts is that you eventually don't care if you miss those top notes.

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 12:56 PM

I had something similar last year and it was a full three months before I could sing properly again which was incredibly frustrating. I agree about sucking on a fishermans friend - it may not do much for your voice but they are always so grateful;0)

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: JenEllen
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 10:43 AM

All good advice. 'Take it Easy' being the best of all. You talk about working your voice, but what are you doing to rest it? *g* Treat yourself to lots of tea, echinacea/honey, peppermints for blood flow, and rest. Get to feeling better,
~J

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: kendall
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 10:09 AM

Gargle with echinacea and goldenseal. If you have gained a whole octave at the low end, it wont last. As long as you have that, you still have the flu.

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: Alice
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 09:25 AM

Hi, alison, what Sean and soph said about warming up and taking your time to be patient while it heals - I agree with that. It does take time to regain the muscle tone, especially since you couldn't talk at all for awhile.

Each day, do some vocal exercises, starting with humming. Don't do anything that strains your voice or causes pain. It is expected that you lost some of your top range after not being able to use your voice. It will come back, but work at it slowly and gently, so you don't do any harm to it. Do the exercises in the afternoon or evening, not early morning. It is harder to sing right after you've awakened and the muscles haven't been used for hours.

Even though you are frustrated with not having much power or range, always use the air control from your lower torso, NEVER push air against your vocal folds to try to get range or volume. Here is an article about fixing voice problems using good old world style technique Alan Lindquest.

Float the air through your vocal folds gently, like threading a needle and pulling the thread through. Relax and sing the warm up scales softly, going higher with each scale (sing an A scale, then a B scale, then a C scale, etc.). Do this each day, and you will gradually add more top notes to your range again. Start sometimes at the bottom note of the scale going up and down, and at other times, start with the top note and sing down. It is often easier to sing down from a high note than to sing up to it. Do warm up scales on vowels, just singing oo or ah. Move to consonants and singing scales with the phrases "mada meena mada meena" and "kagle ogle agle ogle ay". Start singing songs after you have warmed up on the scales. Always remember to keep the throat relaxed, don't blast or push air through it, and let the lower muscles of your abs pull down and do all the breath control work, gradually releasing the breath. When your voice is stronger, work on volume modulation by choosing one comfortable note and singing "oo" on one breath, starting very softly, increase volume, and back to pianissimo again. Count in your head to 8, starting quietly on one, then gradually getting to the loudest volume on 4, then gradually back to the soft volume by the time you reach 8. If your voice is still too weak to do this, wait another 5 or 10 days and add that exercise to your warm up. Whenever you think you've run out of air, pull down on your lower ab muscles, and you will find more support for a few more seconds of singing. This works for the whistle, too, but you may already know that.

You can humidify the air in your bedroom at night, if it is dry and your sinuses are irritated. The night time humidity is really important, if dry air is a problem. A vaporizor in the room works best, with a bit of pure eucalyptus oil, not the mixtures they sell for vaporizors - just get the pure stuff.

Do some gentle singing each day with the scales progressively going higher, and you will eventually get back to your singing voice again.

Good luck. Let me know how you are doing.

Alice

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: black walnut
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 09:03 AM

I'm reading this with a box of tissues and a mug of herbal tea at my side. I teach music. I need to sing for 2 hours straight. I need to sing tomorrow morning, as a matter of fact. I already took Friday off. I can't take more time from work (I don't get sick pay).

'Don't force it'! I wish I had the luxury.

I force my voice to do more than it should every Sept. to June. By mid-July, I know my REAL voice again! It always comes back, or at least, it always has....

~black walnut

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: sophocleese
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 08:19 AM

Don't force it. Sometimes bugs can take weeks for the last effects to disappear. Sean's advice with warm water is good, you can also try singing in the shower. Spend more time on warmup exercises than you perhaps used to. Don't panic, relax and trust that you will get it back and you will.

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: alison
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 07:42 AM

nothing like sucking a fisherman's friend, eh Morty? *grin*..... yes we get them over here...

thankfully I can hide behind all my other instruments when I'm doing gigs... but there are a few songs that I like to harmonise with and I simply can't do it at the moment...

thanks for the advice.. keep it coming

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: Dharmabum
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 07:22 AM

I'm just getting over that same kickass flu myself.

Something I've done everyday for years now is drink a mixture of apple cider vinegar & honey. It doesn't taste as bad as it sounds.

Two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar/Two teaspoons honey/mixed with lukewarm water. I usually mix it in one of those squeeze type water bottles that you carry on your bike.I drink one bottle a day,sipped,not gulped down quickly.

This is an old folk remedy that's worked pretty well for me.

Good luck, DB.

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: JudeL
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 06:39 AM

For the sinusitus - try putting a bit of Vicks or Bengue's Balsam in the bottom of a heatproof bowl (pyrex is good) pour boiling water over it lean over it with a towel over your head and breathe in the fumes ( in through the mouth and out through the nose) for a few minutes. you may want to keep your eyes shut as the fumes may make your eyes water. It helps open up the airways and relieve the pressure that can cause the pain. It seems to work for me.

For soothing the throat, I'd agree that port and brandy can help, spiced rum or rum & shrub are two others you could try and again I'd echo what others have said don't try to force it or do too much too soon.

Hope you feel better soon Jude

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: Morticia
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 06:20 AM

I was told that you can do a fair bit of longer term damage if you try and force it,Alison.I am in the same boat, except that I sound like Eartha Kitt ( without the vibrato), so I'm trying not to sing at all.....not easy when I usually sing all the time.If you have a gig, better to cancel, if poss.Otherwise, Fishermans Friends and port and brandy ( do you get Fishermans Friends in Oz?).

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 05:30 AM

Allison... long time no erm... type...

Well, I seem to be getting one nasty bug after another lately...

My advice, is warm up excercises, (was told humming somewhere over the rainbow is a good one, as gets to most notes). And most of all rest... no shouting, and hot toddys... irish style... Hot water, brown sugar, lemon quarter with cloves jabbed in it and a drop o whisky, and sometimes a drop of honey... but here's my fave!

Brandy, port and lemon..... YUM! A lovely velvety drink that really coats yer throat.

Hmm I just notice a distinct common recipe in my above...

but would also strongly advise, exercise your vocal chords... I'm having a similar problem, I keep finding myself yodelling in mid song.

Can sympathise totally.. oh, and smokey places doesn't help...

(I have a case of sinusitus at the mo... any tips for that?)

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: alison
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 04:08 AM

allie I am 36....... but at the moment I sound like a teenage boy whose voice is breaking.. but only when I sing.... lol... my talking voice is fine

thanks for the advice allie & Sean (mick.. watch your back!!! *grin*)

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: SeanM
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 03:35 AM

Errr... should have added above "you can get your throat back into condition for singing, and as tone re-develops you'll be ready for it, rather than jumping back in cold."

Oopsie...

M

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: SeanM
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 03:32 AM

Aiyeeeee!

That is NOT good!

My best was to have moderately warm water (warm to touch, so as not to do damage) and drink that while gently running through warm up exercises and doing NOTHING that would otherwise strain the already damaged areas.

The hope is by keeping everything relaxed (and soothed, therefore the water. Tea also works, but it also closes the passage), and not straining, you can get your throat back into condition. Be careful though - overwork CAN damage things. Think of it as if you'd hurt your arm and had to stop using it for a time - you'd favor the easier things, wouldn't go out and expect it to do the work pre-hurt for a while.

And who knows? If you're lucky and concentrate and work on it, you might even get to keep some of the lower register.

Care to you,

M

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: allie kiwi
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 03:26 AM

Hi Alison *grin* (one Alison to another)

My advice is that Rest is best, and talk normally. Whispering always seems to hurt me more, and you dont want to strain your vocal chords any more. It may take some time to rebuild your range.

How old are you? I found that my voice lowered naturally when I was in my early 20's anyway.

Sorry, not very helpful.

Allie

Subject: RE: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: Big Mick
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 02:54 AM

I am having a hard time with the mental sound I am getting of the "Belfast Cackle" with a voice problem..................shit................FAIR ONE.........put down that griddle...........damn........woman has an Orange belt in Shorin Ryu, and a black belt, 10th dan in Griddle Fighting.......Ouch..........shit

Subject: Post flu - lost vocal range
From: alison
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 02:38 AM

OK I'm looking for advice here....

a few weeks back I had the flu, and lost my voice ....couldn't talk for a few days (the kids loved it *grin*)......

2 weeks down the track my voice is back, but my singing range isn't..... I can sing an octave lower than I used to.... but if I try to go up into my usual range, it cracks all over the place and I can't control it...... also I can't get any "force" behind it and it sounds very breathy........

anyone got any advice, techniques etc?????

slainte

alison