Singers - vibrating vocals that make you cough?

[mindyhere]

I've noticed that when I sing a lot anymore, my throat vibrates to a tickle, which causes a coughing fit. It seems to usually happen on the higher octs. It's not consistant. Doesn't happen every day.

Anyone ever experience this? It's really irritating.

[sandyandporter]

Mindy, that is exactly what started happening to me. There were 2 things going on with me. First of all I have TERRIBLE acid reflux and didn't even know it cuz I don't get heartburn. Try taking Prilosec and see if that helps. Also, don't eat or drink anything for at least an hour before you go to bed as that makes it worse.

Secondly I had 3 polyps on my vocal cords. I ended up having them surgically removed.

I suggest starting with the Prilosec and some vocal rest. Then make sure you're fully warmed up before you do any singing. Another helpful item is a steamer. You can get them at Rite Aid.

If these don't work you need to see and ENT. Good luck!!!

[TN3Dmom]

I guess I did not realize you sang, Mindy. Interesting. Hope your problem goes away. I admire those who can sing, cause I really have the heart for it, but not so much the voice. I sing at the top of my lungs at church or in the car anyway. My kids get embarassed if we have friends in the car, so I have to take it down a notch.

[mindyhere]

I suspect it has something to do with my thyroid disease. I discovered that I am hypothyroid about 6 years ago. It's affected everything else in my body, it seems - so why not my larynx??

Acid reflux - that is interesting - because I've had a couple of bad bouts with hearburn in the last few months. How horrible - I could hardly breathe - it was really scary. Never had that problem before. I'm pretty certain that my thyroid has caused that too. When my hormone levels starts to creep down I start having issues all over.

I guess I'm wonderig if this could permanently damage my vocal chords. I think for me, a trip back to my endocrinologist would be my first stop.

Thanks for responding Sandy!

[mindyhere]

I guess I did not realize you sang, Mindy. Interesting. Hope your problem goes away. I admire those who can sing, cause I really have the heart for it, but not so much the voice. I sing at the top of my lungs at church or in the car anyway. My kids get embarassed if we have friends in the car, so I have to take it down a notch.

Well... years ago I sang in a lot of weddings, and area contests. But all of my friends are married now, and I'm too busy for contests. I just sing at home now. :D But I'd be so sad if I couldn't sing. It's a great outlet for me.

Does your dog howl when you sing?? :D I bet you're not as bad as you think you are.

[Sharon]

I've noticed that when I sing a lot anymore, my throat vibrates to a tickle, which causes a coughing fit. It seems to usually happen on the higher octs. It's not consistant. Doesn't happen every day.

Anyone ever experience this? It's really irritating.

It happens at the higher octs because the higher you go, the closer your cords come together.
Sounds like something is irritating them such as previously mentioned, a polyp or acid irritation.

Get it checked out

[sandyandporter]

Acid reflux - that is interesting - because I've had a couple of bad bouts with hearburn in the last few months. How horrible - I could hardly breathe - it was really scary. Never had that problem before. I'm pretty certain that my thyroid has caused that too. When my hormone levels starts to creep down I start having issues all over.

I guess I'm wonderig if this could permanently damage my vocal chords. I think for me, a trip back to my endocrinologist would be my first stop.

Thanks for responding Sandy!

ding, ding, ding, I think we have a winner! I got to watch a video a number of times during my treatment. I actually saw the "mist" of acid that gets sprayed right onto your vocal cords. Crazy thing is I never get heartburn... never. I was shocked when they told me how bad my reflux is. I was taking quadruple the rx dosage (my insurance company would only pay for 1/4 of the rx) and just recently have dropped to double the dose. And I'm still not 100%, not even 75%.

I would definitely go see your dr about it. I know how frustrating it is to have been given such a wonderful gift from God and then fear losing it!

Good luck!

[mindyhere]

Ugh - how scary ... I think I'll make an appt. right away. Did you have to see an ENT for that? For the acid reflux? Or just my regular doc?

Something else that stated happening before this - and you can actually see what I mean in my Brad Avery fear factor video where I sing happy birthday - is that I can't sing for my life if I'm trying to sing quietly. I can't hit the notes right on, and sometimes when I transition they don't slide over quite right. . Sometimes, if I try to hit a note when singing quiet, I lose power. It's like the note just quits with a breathy sound.

I hope all that makes sense. It's just hard to explain - I've never had professional instruction on singing and am not sure of how to explain it.

I thought maybe it was just me getting bad because I don't sing as often as I used to.

LOL

Funny thing is I've been thinking about joining the choir at church, but don't want to be gagging through the songs.

:rolleyes:

[sandyandporter]

I had to go to my regular dr first to get a referral to the ENT (darn HMO'S!). I will warn you. They shove a tube down your nose into your throat. It's not the worst thing I've had done, but it's not pleasant. I've had it done at least 12 times now!

I'm not sure about the singing softly.... what is that? Just kidding. That may or may not be the same issue.

If you're not aware.... sound is created by the vibration of your vocal cords. The slower they vibrate, the lower the note, the faster the vibration, the highter the note. Acid reflux creates "gunk" that sits on the vocal cords (along with causing irritation). Imagine putting a piece of gum on a guitar string and then strumming a chord. That's what could be going on in your throat. That's what was happening in mine.

Also, a bad side effect of this is that I was CONSTANTLY clearing my throat. I found out from a vocal specialist (I went to a vocal clinic lab) that this is absolutely the worst thing you can do to your vocal cords. So... if you find you're doing that, you need to be aware of it, try and limit it and do it very gently when you have to.

Hope this helps.

[mindyhere]

I do have to clear my throat a lot.

One more question - should I quit singing until I've seen the doc? I know you're going to say yes. :(

Sounds silly, but that's a really hard thing for me to do.

:)

[sandyandporter]

I do have to clear my throat a lot.

One more question - should I quit singing until I've seen the doc? I know you're going to say yes. :(

Sounds silly, but that's a really hard thing for me to do.

:)

No need to stop singing. :D

Singing is actually easier on your throat than talking. Just really try and stop clearing your throat, drink lots of water, and buy some OTC Prilosec. Something else that's really good for your cords is humming. Humming is to vocal cords what stretching is to your other muscles.

[mindyhere]

Oh - whew!

I guess no more yelling at my kids. :P

[Genna14]

Another helpful item is a steamer. You can get them at Rite Aid.


BAD BAD idea. If you MUST have something of this nature, get a MISTER. Humidifiers encourage mold and can be incredibly dangerous.