To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=161320
12 messages

Croak

13 Jan 17 - 04:38 AM (#3832249)
Subject: Croak
From: Thompson

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.


13 Jan 17 - 06:06 AM (#3832280)
Subject: RE: Croak
From: Steve Shaw

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!


13 Jan 17 - 06:19 AM (#3832281)
Subject: RE: Croak
From: Thompson

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…


13 Jan 17 - 06:35 AM (#3832285)
Subject: RE: Croak
From: Steve Shaw

Yep. Those inhalers can do it too!


13 Jan 17 - 08:04 AM (#3832304)
Subject: RE: Croak
From: Rapparee

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.


13 Jan 17 - 08:37 AM (#3832313)
Subject: RE: Croak
From: Thompson

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.


13 Jan 17 - 08:42 AM (#3832315)
Subject: RE: Croak
From: Charmion

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.


13 Jan 17 - 12:04 PM (#3832358)
Subject: RE: Croak
From: Thompson

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.


13 Jan 17 - 12:20 PM (#3832362)
Subject: RE: Croak
From: Stilly River Sage

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).


13 Jan 17 - 03:54 PM (#3832405)
Subject: RE: Croak
From: Thompson

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.


14 Jan 17 - 12:00 AM (#3832462)
Subject: RE: Croak
From: Stilly River Sage

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


14 Jan 17 - 10:05 AM (#3832532)
Subject: RE: Croak
From: Steve Shaw

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.