Vocal Problems [Was: HELP!?!?!?!?!] - 2007/01/21 14:34Well, I don't know where to put this, but it concerns my voice. Since yesterday, there has been something really weird going on. When I talk, I sounded normal yesterday, but today I sound raspy; my throat feels like there's a lump or something...and when I touch the place where my vocal cords are, it hurts really bad...like it's swollen or something. I'm going to see a doctor soon, but I'm panicking...so if anyone has any idea what might be wrong with it, I'd be a little relieved if I had even a clue to what is wrong with it.
(P.S.-It might be from overuse though...my callbacks for Miss Saigon were on Fri., and I had to sing for almost 3 and a half hours nonstop because I had been called back for a lot of things...but maybe it can be more than that, which is why I'm nervous that something more serious happened!)
[Admin Edit: Moved to Performance Q & A forum & subject changed to be more descriptive of content]
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Moessinger
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Re:HELP!?!?!?!?! - 2007/01/21 14:42See what the doctor says, I would reccommend trying not to talk too much. At all times that can be avoided until you see him, and continue to drink a lot of water.I think it is just wonderful that you want to be a nun, and you think it might be fun!
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Moessinger
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Re:HELP!?!?!?!?! - 2007/01/21 14:43See what the doctor says, I would reccommend trying not to talk too much. At all times that can be avoided until you see him, and continue to drink a lot of water.I think it is just wonderful that you want to be a nun, and you think it might be fun!
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ASHS_theatre
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Re:HELP!?!?!?!?! - 2007/01/21 14:45This may not be right -- I'm even betting I'm not right -- but from what I remember, this sounds like a case of strep.
But, please, take a second, don't worry, it's most likely very easy to fix. Look around at your family, your cast, your schoolmates. Is there any sort of bug going around? Of course, it may just be overuse, or may be partly overuse.
Wait to see what Jessica or Kris say. They always seem to have a knack for knowing what is wrong. =]Shelby Jr. Moderator
Currently: Fritzi Bonwit in M*A*S*H
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vivian123
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thanks - 2007/01/21 14:54yea...i'll wait for what they say and i'll especially not talk till I see the doctor; i haven't been...it could be strep. I've been "sickly", on and off for awhile now, but finals are coming up and I've been getting less sleep than ever. Hopefully, I can hold out until then.
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triplethreat
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Re:Vocal Problems [Was: HELP!?!?!?!?!] - 2007/01/21 15:08First of all, you can't really "touch where your vocal cords are" - they are too far down to be seen when you open your mouth, and they are hidden behind "lots of other stuff" in your neck.
Strep is usually characterized by swelling and extreme pain when swallowing. I don't remember if it caused problems with my actual voice when I had it or not.
If you are having difficulty swallowing, you should go to emerg. Better safe than sorry - when I had strep we went to emerg and the doc took one look down my throat and said he was amazed I could still breathe - that's how swollen it can get.
Lack of sleep and stress can make you vunerable to sickness, but they can also impact your voice directly. It could be a lot of other things too, but I'm not going to speculate because that won't help you anyway. Just go to a doctor. Now. You don't want to mess around, particularly if there is swelling._____________ Kris MTA Admin
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jmslp
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Re:Vocal Problems [Was: HELP!?!?!?!?!] - 2007/01/21 18:25definitely go to your doctor to rule out anything that can be addressed medically. if you are having difficulty swallowing/breathing and your voice is raspy you could be sick. if you are touching your thyroid notch/adam's apple (not exactly your vocal cords... they attach anteriorly to the thyroid notch and extend "backwards". they look sort of like the letter v if you are looking at them from above. BUT your vocal cords are muscles and ligaments and such that are only about the size of your thumbnail. when i get a chance maybe i will post some pics of healthy and unhealthy cords in a blog).
as you said, you have been "overdoing it" a bit so definitely do as much vocal rest as possible. it will not hurt to do that. in fact, whether you are sick or just tired, vocal rest, as well as any type of physical rest, will make a big difference. being stressed and tired definitely predisposes you to getting sick so take it easy...
and shelby, thanks so much for your faith in kris and me. it definitely (wow, i used that word a lot) gives me quite a confidence boost!!! They call me Jessica (like: They call me lady luck... lol)
Favorite roles:
Eva Peron, Evita; Jack's Mother, Into the Woods; Sonia, Godspell; Anything Goes, Reno Sweeney; Audrey, Little Shop of Horrors; Catherine, Pippin
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get thee to a doctor-y, young lass!They call me Jessica (like: They call me lady luck... lol)
Favorite roles:
Eva Peron, Evita; Jack's Mother, Into the Woods; Sonia, Godspell; Anything Goes, Reno Sweeney; Audrey, Little Shop of Horrors; Catherine, Pippin
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ASHS_theatre
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Re:Vocal Problems [Was: HELP!?!?!?!?!] - 2007/01/21 23:59jmslp wrote: and shelby, thanks so much for your faith in kris and me. it definitely (wow, i used that word a lot) gives me quite a confidence boost!!! Of course! But then again, how could I not with all of the great info you two give?
triplethreat wrote: they are hidden behind "lots of other stuff" in your neck. Hee. Shelby Jr. Moderator
Currently: Fritzi Bonwit in M*A*S*H
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ising88
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Re:Vocal Problems [Was: HELP!?!?!?!?!] - 2007/04/14 14:28Hey Kris....when I had strep, it wasn't so much that I "lost" my voice, it was that it was waaay too painful to use it. Except maybe to moan in pain. I too had a horrendous case of strep a few years back....I blacked out in the bathroom at 2 am it messed up my bp so much. But anyways....you could check web md, thats a fantastical website. I woulnd't say that it replaces a doctor by any means, especially concerning swelling, but if you're freaking it can at least help you until you can get to a doctor...it sure helped me during the mono crisis last spring. (talk about a heart attack...the guy i was dating was like soo...i have mono....A WEEK BEFORE OPENING NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!! So I pretty much had a heart attack and was in the library at shool all day on web md researching it until I could call my doctor. lol.~*~Angelina~*~
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so i'm the narrator in Joseph amd we open in 3 days, now the edition that we are using the narrator is expected to sing in the high f-a range. I'm an mezzo-saprano who normally sings alto!! so i woke up this morning and my throught kills, and i'm having trouble sawallowing. i've now taken a vow of scilence to keep what vocal ablitiy i have for dress rehearsals. any advice anynoe??Melissa
Currently: Dance Core in St. Clair College Christmas Show
Recently: Miss Gloria Thorpe in Damn Yankees Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods Aunt Eller in OKLAHOMA! Narrator in Joseph
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