Voice problems revisited

[JohnBFisher]

Joan, I sure hope you find a routine that helps you quickly recover your singing voice. Having participated in choral music for most of my life, I know how frustrating it can be to NOT be able to sing.

One thought, which I did not see clearly expressed, is that xPAP therapy can dry the mouth and throat. Particularly during winter months, even with a humidifier, I wake with a very dry mouth. I then find I need to spend several minutes sipping water and coffee to get my mouth back to normal shape. This also seems to be an issue with my vocal cords in the morning.

You might hve some sligh problems with saliva production (which normally declines as we age). I suspect that would make a sensitive voice issue worse.

So, remember those tricks to help with clearing your throat / vocal cords. A warm tea with lemon after you awaken. It can be an herbal tea. The point is to use a warm liquid which will not cause a mucous build up. So, stay away from milk and other dairy products for a little bit.

Here's hoping it is just something that simple!

[Trinity101]

John, thanks for the reminder about vocal "warmups" w/ Tea, etc. Also, I DO have Sjogren's syndrome, which does make my mouth very dry.
I spoke to my PCP re trying meds for reflux, and I am currently on a trial to see if there is any improvement.
So...will be updating in a couple of weeks if not before. Thanks to all!
~joan

[JohnBFisher]

... thanks for the reminder about vocal "warmups" w/ Tea, etc. ...

I knew it would just be a reminder. Most of us, who love choral music, hear about such tricks quite early as we learn to sing.

... Also, I DO have Sjogren's syndrome, which does make my mouth very dry. ...

Bingo! I wondered if that might be the case. Your symptoms reminded me of a friend, who also struggles with Sjorgren's. Again, I will probably be just reminding you of the obvious. But on the off chance you had not seen this, I wanted to bring it to your attention. Biotene products (made by Glaxo Smith Kline - or GSK) are designed to address dry mouth issues, such as due to Sjorgren's syndrome:

http://www.biotene.com/What-is-dry-mouth.aspx

Some of their products are designed to address chronic dry mouth issues:

http://www.biotene.com/Products.aspx

I am considering using some of those to help me avoid damage to my teeth and gum due to mouth breathing with my ASV unit. My tongue and gums can dry out so severely it actually is quite painful until my mouth rehydrates.

They also state the obvious other technique at night - to use a humidifier to help increase the moisture content. You might need to add a room humidifier to boost the humidity in your bedroom. This would be especially helpful during winter months.

Like I say, I imagine you already were aware of these tricks and products. But it never hurts to be certain.

Best wishes! And may you once again joyfully sing out!

[Trinity101]

John,
Thank you for your very helpful suggestions and advice- this has really bothered me and for a long while, I thought I was just over-reacting and kept trying to just hydrate- but now I am actively going to try ALL of these things- addressing the possible reflux, increasing the humidity on my machine, trying some hot teas, etc in the mornings- I can already see an improvement. Although I won't be formally singing it this year, I am going to try to be ready to at least sing PART of Messiah this Christmas! Even ONE chorus will be such a joy! Also, the antibiotics are just finishing up and I think that they have helped my voice a lot. So- I will keep at it, and keep singing!
Happy Holidays,
~joan

[Mr Earwig]

You may remember that a few months ago, I posed a question here about whether CPAP could cause me to lose my singing voice. The general consensus was no- but I still have not been able to sing, except for a few very isolated times.
Yesterday I asked my PCP again, and he said that he HAS seen this before in some of his CPAP pts- and it seemed to be a reaction from the constant air flow at pressure over the vocal cords. He gave me some antibiotics ( I have also recently had a sinus infection/ear infection) and suggested that I increase my humidity. If that doesn't help in a few weeks (antibiotics only for a week to ten days), he said that I should see an ENT to visualize the cords.
Will let you guys know what I find out- but it gave me some encouragement- this has been very frustrating to someone who just loves to sing!
A pleasant holiday season to all....
~joan

''It won't be easy, you'll think it's strange. When you try to carry a tune, that you still need some work because you'll sound like a loon. You won't BELIEVE me, all you will see is a troll you once knew, although he's dressed up to the nines... and sixes and sevens with you. Oh don't cry for Trinity One Oh One, the truth is it NEVER left you. All through your apnea, your transitional centrals. Your throat changed it's structure, now keep your persistence.

And as for fortune, and as for fame- You never invited them in, though it seemed to the world; they were all you desired. They are like bipap, they're not the solution they promised to be. The answer was here all the time. If it sounds hoarse, you can sing along anyway. Don't cry for Trinity One Oh One. The truth is it NEVER left you. All through your apnea, your transitional centrals. Your throat changed it's structure, now keep your persistence.''

[kenny ray]

I havent been at my normal voice since using bi pap..havent been singing on my show for 1 year..dont talk much anymore just realizing bi pap is the problem where can I get help?

[justin25taylor]

Joan,
I know this is an old thread, and I hope you have found something that works. I have something that may or may not help.

I see you mentioned the cpap drying you out.
I play steel guitar for a guy who has a condition called Spasmotic disphonia (sp).
He takes Botox shots in his vocal cords that returned his voice. Anyway, he often has a dry throat and cannot sing. He uses those little cough drops and they helped, but his voice Doctor has him using some Glycerin. You can buy it in liquid form in the drugstore. He mixes it 50/50 with water. It's just amazing how well it works for him. He as worried about the warning on the bottle that says not to ingest, but the doctors have all told him it is harmless.
He keeps it in a little spray bottle sitting on his amp. It really does work wonders.

He has been using cpap about 2 years and he says this really aggravated the dryness. I also know he runs full humidity on his machine.

I hope this helps you.

Best
Justin

[JohnBFisher]

I havent been at my normal voice since using bi pap..havent been singing on my show for 1 year..dont talk much anymore just realizing bi pap is the problem where can I get help?

I seriously doubt if BiPAP therapy is the cause for your vocal issues.

Instead, think of it this way, there are probably issues related to the BiPAP therapy that might be causing issues for you:

If you don't use a heated humidifier, your air in your BiPAP device might dry out your tissues more than normal. That can cause some vocal problems.
If you are not talking much, it can weaken your voice and contribute to your vocal problems.

I would ask your doctor to see a speech therapist to see if there is anything they can do to help you regain your normal voice.

[Debbiekochajda@gmail.com]

You are the first person I have heard talk about the exact same problem I'm expierensing. I've gotten no clear answers from any of my drs. Please let me know what u find out.

[Julie]

Debbie - you're 'replying' to an old note and it's highly unlikely the orig. poster will ever see it... if you have a problem, start a new thread of your own.

[478Jamesb]

I have been on Cpap for 3 years. My voice got continuously worse. I went to a local ENT who said I had a breathy voice. My voice finally got to whisper. I went to The Emory Voice Center in Atlanta. I had bowed vocal cords. I have had an injection of a bulking agent which has improved my voice, but not back to normal. I will return later this month for evaluation and consideration for vocal cord implants. I am 100% convinced the Cpap is responsible. Good luck but I would strongly suggest you go to a teaching university ENT center for evaluation. As a test I used Cpap and my voice the next morning was very raspy and hoarse. I have stopped Cpap and voice improving. Good luck

[Julie]

Talk about cutting off your nose despite your face...

Why are you "100%" sure Cpap is responsible? Do you think vocal cord problems did not exist (in anyone) prior to Cpap being invented? How do you know that's the cause, even if using it's coincidental?

[Goofproof]

MAN: After my broken arm heals, will I be able to play the Flute.

DR: Could you play the Flute well before you broke your arm.

MAN: No! Never tried, but I always wanted to play one! Jim

Time to see a real doctor.

[Okie bipap]

Since I had to have back surgery a few months after starting treatment, does that mean the machine caused my back trouble? That sounds better than saying I messed my back up.

[Goofproof]

I have been on Cpap for 3 years. My voice got continuously worse. I went to a local ENT who said I had a breathy voice. My voice finally got to whisper. I went to The Emory Voice Center in Atlanta. I had bowed vocal cords. I have had an injection of a bulking agent which has improved my voice, but not back to normal. I will return later this month for evaluation and consideration for vocal cord implants. I am 100% convinced the Cpap is responsible. Good luck but I would strongly suggest you go to a teaching university ENT center for evaluation. As a test I used Cpap and my voice the next morning was very raspy and hoarse. I have stopped Cpap and voice improving. Good luck

But your other internal organs are dieing from lack of O2, some trade off, for a poor diagnosis. Jim