voice problems

[Cajsa]

Hi everyone -

I had a ruptured brain aneurysm in September 2006. Had clipping surgery and then vasospasms. I had a multitude of plastic tubes in my throat and nose. I recovered and after physical therapy did well, considering the circumstances. I am basically back to normal, with one important (for me) exception. Before my aneurysm burst, I used to sing quite often and had a good singing voice. Somehow or other I think the plastic tubes must have messed up my throat, because I can no longer sing, only some low notes, and I used to sing soprano music.

Has anyone had this experience and if so, do you know what can be done about it? Perhaps vocal cord surgery? I would appreciate any advice.

All the best to everyone on the board.

Cajsa

[TropicalTrish]

Hey Cajsa,

Oh what a terrible thing to have happen. I hope there are others who have advice for you.

All the best with this!

[Ilsensine69]

Oh Cajsa, that's a terrible thing to hear...

I'm a singer too (although I've left my band since my aneurysm cos it wasn't really fair to hold them back) and fortunately I don't think I've had any change in my ability to sing.

I'm curious... what happens when you try to sing? Do the notes come out flat/sharp/pitchy? Or is it impossible to make any noise above a certain point? Trying to figure out if it's a purely physical issue. I guess you'd have to see a throat specialist to really find out exact information... if the damage is entirely physical I'd imagine the surgery would be extremely risky/delicate...

So sorry to hear about your loss!

Bruce

[Beachgirl]

Hey Cajsa, I really feel for you. Being a singer myself ( I worked in Musical Theatre) I can imagine just how upsetting this is. Music and singing (and dancing!;)) is food for the soul, and without it life can feel empty.
The vocal cords are sooo delicate, that I wouldn't even TRY suggesting something. You really need to see a specialist, as doing the wrong thing could do more damage. It may just be that you need some therapy to strengthen and retrain the cords, or it may require surgery, but only someone qualified in this area could tell you. It may be that your range has changed from soprano to that of alto or mezzo - who knows!

I will keep you in my thoughts, and hope that you find an answer to this.

Hugs,

Nat xx

[Cajsa]

Hi again -

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and suggestions. I think I will contact my ear-nose-throat doctor and go from there.

My voice is sort of a little scratchy sounding when I try to sing, and I cannot do any high hotes, it just comes out as a little scream of sorts.

All the best to everyone in your journey back.

Cajsa

[janeh]

I agree that seeing an ENT is the way to go. I had my thyroid taken out in 2 surgeries. The first surgery i had no issues, but the second one they slightly hit my vocal cord and it took months to get my regular voice back.
I think it is always best to be safe. Please keep us posted in what you find out.

Best of luck,
jane

[GalacticGal]

Hi everyone -

I had a ruptured brain aneurysm in September 2006. Had clipping surgery and then vasospasms. I had a multitude of plastic tubes in my throat and nose. I recovered and after physical therapy did well, considering the circumstances. I am basically back to normal, with one important (for me) exception. Before my aneurysm burst, I used to sing quite often and had a good singing voice. Somehow or other I think the plastic tubes must have messed up my throat, because I can no longer sing, only some low notes, and I used to sing soprano music.

Has anyone had this experience and if so, do you know what can be done about it? Perhaps vocal cord surgery? I would appreciate any advice.

All the best to everyone on the board.
Cajsa


I'm not aware of having such problems, but what I do notice is pain where my jaw bones come together on the right side. It's as if my jaw was hyper-extended during my surgery. Yawning is a problem. But starting on Thanksgiving I returned to the church choir and although I've always doubted my voice, I was told it was good to see me back with the choir (perhaps, because it represents another milestone in my recovery). If I hit any sour notes along the way (I'm a Second Soprano) nobody let on. But I feel for you, singing is a large part of who I am. Just like writing. I have to do both, it's like breathing to me. Apparently, my oldest son and I began singing troparians in the recovery room, amusing a nurse or two. So, he got on the phone and called his sister to tell her know the "good news", Mom is singing. LOL I vaguely remember the incident. I'm known to just burst into song at any given moment, though. I hope your throat heals.

~GalacticGal

[shelscha]

Hi Cajsa, I had rupture in June 2007 and then another brain sugery in August 2008 that caused a stroke. I was having problems with my voice, it was hoarse very often. I was also having some thyroid issues and had a nodule removed this September. I thought the hoarseness was from my thyroid. They tested my vocal cords before the surgery and it seems that there is some damage to my left side, they are assuming that it was from the stroke. It's been months since my thyroid was removed and I am noticing some hoarseness again, so I guess it must be from the vocal cord damage not the thyroid. They told me that I could do some therapy that may help it, I declined at the time but may consider it in the future. Good luck.
Shelly

[NobleNan]

Hi
My husband also has had changes in his voice. It sounds like he is hoarse all the time. He notices the change as well but he says nothing hurts. I was thinking it might be because of the ventilator he had for two weeks. He also had a couple of bronchoscopies. Good Luck to you! Hopefully you will find something out and post it here.