OT: Need a Miracle

hillfolk22 · Post by **hillfolk22** » Tue Dec 24, 2002 7:36 am

I lost my voice. I need to find it by tonight.

I believe all of those choir practices have caught up with me.

I am singing a few solos and I woke up with a major sore throat and drainage.

Any tips from you professional singers out there on how you rise above illness and sing on?

Laura

sturob · Post by **sturob** » Tue Dec 24, 2002 8:08 am

Hmm. Steam yourself today. If nothing else, simmer a pot of water (that's boiled so it steams) and put your face over it. The moisture might help some.

And do NOT speak until you have to sing! When you do have to sing, warm up like everything, start in the middle of your range and go up and down very gradually. You may not be able to sing tonight, but you can give it the best chance.

My grandmother (who sang professionally) would sometimes use SenSen candy (little REALLY strong mint things) to help calm the larynx. I don't know if it works.

Something which works but you SHOULD NOT DO is a steroid inhaler. I mention it only to prevent you from doing it should it be suggested, actually. Some professional singers have gotten steroid inhalers (like for asthma) and puff away on them when this kind of thng happens. Swelling goes down and the vocal cords work better. But there's a reason they're swollen, and you can irreparably damage your voice doing this. It's NOT worth that!

Stuart

Aodhan · Post by **Aodhan** » Tue Dec 24, 2002 8:09 am

Medically- Slightly warm, slightly saline gargles. That will help sooth the tissues without drawing more moisture from them.

Personally- Hot tea with honey and lemon, and lemon water.

Also, anything that helps to keep your throat moist without numbing it...Ludens Cough drops, a lot of people like Ricola cough drops.

If it's any consolation, throats are usually sorest in the morning and kind of "recover" during the day. Just avoid stressing it (No chunky/spicy foods, no yelling at the kids/hubby/significant other, etc) and keep warm and fluided!

Aodhan

hillfolk22 · Post by **hillfolk22** » Tue Dec 24, 2002 8:28 am

Thank you folks,

You have been quite helpful!

I shouldn't have to yell at the kids being Christmas eve and all

At least I hope.

Hmmm... I wonder if hubby will get worried by me giving him the silent treatment today.
I can just see his thought... (hmmmm... did I get her the right thing for Christmas?)

Nah, I would never play that game.

The beauty of internet. You do not have to speak...

I will try to do a few of your suggestions except for the inhaler.

A hot cup of tea is sounding mighty fine right now.

Cheers,

Laura

for correction of spelling of inhaler, hail,, haul... need dictionary..

[ This Message was edited by: hillfolk22 on 2002-12-24 09:33 ]

sturob · Post by **sturob** » Tue Dec 24, 2002 9:23 am

Actually, Aodhan, saline gargles do the opposite . . . they draw fluid out of your tissues, and can kind of reduce the swelling that way. Your body is more or less "normal" saline (0.9%, which means 9mg NaCl for each ml of water). Salt gargles are usually saltier than that. Normal saline is about the same salinity as seawater, and tastes about as salty.

So do the saltwater gargle, but it's not keeping stuff more humidified.

Stuart

serpent · Post by **serpent** » Tue Dec 24, 2002 9:30 am

"Fisherman's Friend" lozenges.
Best nasty-tasting stuff in the world!

Cheers,
serpent

Tyghress · Post by **Tyghress** » Tue Dec 24, 2002 9:35 am

My sister is a professional singer, and when she HAS to sing with a cold or congested nose, she doses with antihistimine and does a nasal spray. We're not talking gentle and mild, here, we're talking Better Living Through Pharmaceuticals.

aderyn_du · Post by **aderyn_du** » Tue Dec 24, 2002 9:37 am

Laura, warm water with honey and a humidifier usually do the trick for me... sometimes I will add a wee bit of lemon, but you might want to go easy on it as the acidic nature of the juice can sometimes be more of an irritant. Don't talk at all unless you have to! You should see some of the faces and body language I've had to use to reprimand the kids when my voice has been gone...

All the best to you on your performance!!

Andrea ~*~

Sara · Post by **Sara** » Tue Dec 24, 2002 9:55 am

I heard that warm things - like hot tea, salsa, etc. can make a sore throat worse and cold things reduce the swelling. So, I'd suggest Popsicles, or something like them.

I'm really sorry you have a sore throat and I hope it gets better soon!

Zubivka · Post by **Zubivka** » Tue Dec 24, 2002 9:59 am

Did anyone mention gulping a couple raw eggs just before singing ? I'm no singer, but I've seen quite a few do it routinely, backstage.

aderyn_du · Post by **aderyn_du** » Tue Dec 24, 2002 10:02 am

ewwwwwwwwww!!!!! <img src=http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/dizzy.gif>

I wonder what that's supposed to do-- haven't heard that one before!!

Andrea ~*~

[ This Message was edited by: aderyn on 2002-12-24 11:02 ]

Redwolf · Post by **Redwolf** » Tue Dec 24, 2002 10:05 am

I agree with all that has been said...warm drinks, steam, salt-water gargles...they all help. And DEFINITELY don't use your voice if you don't have to! One other thing...take ibuprofen every four hours today, to help reduce the inflammation in your throat, along with an antihistimine.

Oh, and don't forget prayer

.

Redwolf

Mack.Hoover · Post by **Mack.Hoover** » Tue Dec 24, 2002 10:05 am

My voice, permanently impaired by age, will speak a prayer for the miracle you mentioned.
Hot lemonaid with honey is my favorite cure (aside from the miracle).
Mack

Zubivka · Post by **Zubivka** » Tue Dec 24, 2002 10:09 am

On 2002-12-24 11:02, aderyn wrote:
ewwwwwwwwww!!!!! <img src=http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/dizzy.gif>

I wonder what that's supposed to do-- haven't heard that one before!!

Andrea ~*~

[ This Message was edited by: aderyn on 2002-12-24 11:02 ]

Soothe, moist, er... lubricate ? Dunno what does it, the yolk or the gooey stuff

peeplj · Post by **peeplj** » Tue Dec 24, 2002 10:18 am

All good advice--but I would be careful of the raw eggs. That can be dangerous.

Best,

--James
http://www.flutesite.com