Allergies?

[Guest]

I've never had allergies but the last couple of years they have suddenly kicked in. This winter, believe it or not has been rough for some reason. I can't see why I get them in winter now. Anyway this is about day 6 of a really bad time. A first for this type of attack. Physically I feel normal, that is to say, not sick. I have no chest or nasal congestion either and what I cough up or spit out is clear and all comes from fluid in my sinus'. This is all my throat! Well, throat and a leaking from my nose into my throat. I can breath fine. I'm not stuffy. But my throat gets a tickle and most times feels kind of gritty or sandy. I cough a lot and especially when I'm in bed at night. The problem is that the cough is very dry and it is making my throat raw and sore. Not even the throat really, more the top of the back...like the soft pallet?

When I try to sing I get a coughing fit. Plus I basically have this dull sound and the notes are dead. Everything sounds "off" or flat or something. Maybe my hearing is screwed too from the fluids in my sinus cavity. Occasionally my ear hurts a bit or my forehead toward the same side as the ear.

It has been a week with no changes. It doesn't get better and it doesn't get worse. But it sucks big time. And I can't sing. This cough is ripping my throat to shreds.

So what is this post about? Nothing really. Just me bitching!!!

Tommy's not happy. :mad:

[WebAndNet.com]

Allergies, cold, flu, acid reflux, and other illnesses have common symptoms and are frequently difficult to diagnose. I suggest researching these on the web, then set up a spreadsheet with list of symptoms on rows and illness on columns. Then check off which illness has which symptoms specific to you, so you can accurately diagnose.

[ronws]

Tommy, what I think is happening is that you are getting sinus drainage and it can get aspirated onto your folds somewhat and does have an irritating effect. My wife has had laryngitis to some degreee or another, at times, from that malady. Me, I just get phlegm. I had asthma as a child. And somehow learned to relax my throat when I cough.

Jaime Vendera offers the tip of swallowing and allowing your lower lip to roll in, essentially creating a vacuum. Another method for clearing the voice is doing a light ascending siren or slide or glide or whatever you want to call it.

Benadryl can soothe some drainage symptoms but it also dries you up.

Sometimes, I find, the more I sing, the more I clear up.

Or, you could record with "that" sound and let people wonder how you got "that" sound.

[Guest]

I was at the doctor today Ron. My throat is raw from dry coughing for a week and I was starting to feel run down. I've been up all night every night from coughing. The doc says it's an upper respiratory infection of some sort. Swollen glands and all that crap. Got some meds. "That" sound may not be around much longer :D

[ronws]

Reminds me of the second bout of self-induced laryngitis I had. When I was recovering from that, I did an acoustic version of "Heaven and Hell." One person liked the "awesome" tone I had up top. I had no fine control and it was all I could do to keep my throat as open as possible so what you hear is essentially less than good adduction caused by swelling.

I said to the respondent, "hopefully, I won't be able to do that again."

[pmac]

Hey Tommy did you get this problem sorted and what was it? I am suffering from the same thing i feel blocked in the sinus and at night i wake up with phlem going down my throat.All the docs say is that i have allergies but i am not sure as i have never had any before.My throat also is starting to feel sore and i am always having to clear my throat.

Cheers

Paul

[Guest]

I think it was allergies. I still get it a little here and there but not like it was at its height. Actually I decided to roll with the punches. I used the extra texture in my voice from the mucus/phlegm to add effects to my vocals Had to go easy on the high notes though unless I specifically wanted them to break up.

I figured, if I can't beat it then use it!! ;)

[pmac]

Cool i know what you mean.I have tried all the allergy pills but nothing works i may have to take a leaf out of your book and use it.:)

[Singers Advice]

I know what you are going through. I am allergic to everything. I have hay fever allergic to animals, dust, feathers. For years it really did make my life a misery and affected my singing voice. Allergy pills never worked and they are not great for your voice either. However 2 years ago I went to an allergy clinic and I have been using immunotherapy injections and it has transformed my life. No word of a lie. I rarely get hay fever symptoms at all anymore and I would literally have to have doors and windows firmly shut over summer before this. My animal allergies have been reduced also which is great because my husbands family all have dogs. I would also suggest getting an air purifier. It really helps me with my allergies.

Sarah

[Guest]

I know what you are going through. I am allergic to everything. I have hay fever allergic to animals, dust, feathers. For years it really did make my life a misery and affected my singing voice. Allergy pills never worked and they are not great for your voice either. However 2 years ago I went to an allergy clinic and I have been using immunotherapy injections and it has transformed my life. No word of a lie. I rarely get hay fever symptoms at all anymore and I would literally have to have doors and windows firmly shut over summer before this. My animal allergies have been reduced also which is great because my husbands family all have dogs. I would also suggest getting an air purifier. It really helps me with my allergies.

Sarah

Well, that cleared up awhile back, this thread was back from early spring I think. However I still have issues here and there and suspect it will remain this way all summer. Allergies is a new thing for me so I really don't fully understand all the ins and outs, headaches etc. But I figure, as far as my throat goes, if I'm not gonna beat it then I may as well use it! Sometimes I use the added rasp to add character to my vocals :D