Vocal Process Granuloma

mikey_videotape

I lost my voice from a severe cold in November and as my voice came back, my singing voice did not. It turns out I have a granuloma. It has improved a bit since then, and I can sing somewhat, but my granuloma is still not healed. Its been over 6 months and I still can't use my head voice properly. Most of my originals require belting and head voice and it’s making me sad.

I’ve been to the ear nose and throat specialist twice and had the camera down. The specialist has me on a steroid inhaler twice daily, and anti-acid meds but I don't think those are doing much. They suggested I reduced my singing load, but was ok to continue lighter duties. I don't do the 2 x KT warm ups per day I was doing previously. I'm only doing that once or twice a week now.

I've done some of my own research and read a couple of studies suggesting that zinc had been used successfully to treat vocal process granulomas. I've started taking the maximum amount of zinc daily to try and speed my recovery along. I've also completely eliminated coffee, alcohol and weed from my life to try and speed up healing.

I need my voice back for my sanity.

I get vocally fatigued quite easily and my throat gets a little sore, even from just doing the voices when reading the kids' stories at bedtime. My throat isn’t super sore or anything, but definitely sore.

Do I need to completely stop singing to get this healed? Someone, anyone, please give me some advice. I feel like I'm really putting my best foot forward here. Aside from completely stopping singing, I'm out of ideas. I'm reluctant to do that because I will lose the chops I've been developing. Also, singing is my life. I'm already losing my vocal fitness as it is. I don’t want to spiral into a depressive state over this, but I’m starting to find it really tough.

Anyway, there's my life story. Peace and love
Mikey

sjonrokz4u

I’d guess you should do some research and find an ent that regularly works with singers. Or maybe a speech therapist that works with singers

mikey_videotape

I'm worried the issue is that it hasn't actually healed. The ENT I've been working with does work with singers regularly. Do you think speech therapy is the way forward? If the granuloma isn't healed, how will that help? Could one learn to get good chord closure in spite of the granuloma?

I can't get good chord closure because there's "something in the way...hmmmmm. hmmmmm".

sjonrokz4u

I can’t answer that I haven’t seen a speech therapist. I have a friend that did. Heinhaled some kind of fumes accidentally and it killed his voice. His speech therapist saved it. Now he’s back to singing five nights a week

Wigs

Ken also has a vocal repair program. I don't know how much it is or what conditions it specifically covers, but it may have info that is applicable to you. I know @bentk has it, maybe he can let you know. I'm not trying to push more KTVA products, I just know that it's a resource for singers needing to repair themselves.

sjonrokz4u

I have it and haven’t used it. It was 50$ when I got it

mikey_videotape

@Wigs yeah I bought the voice repair course earlier on this pain in the ass journey i'm on.
I'll start it up again, but I wasn't convinced it was doing anything sadly.

@sjonrokz4u you push this info about an ENT and speech therapists on a few posts, but haven't had experience with either? So far, I've been to the ENT twice so far at $500 a pop.

I'd love some feedback from someone with more direct experience.

sjonrokz4u

I do have experience with the ent. I was seeing mine 2 times a year and been scoped once. I decided not to see the speech thatpist. My friend screwed himself up pretty good and the speech therapist has brought him back full and stronger. And I’m not trying to “push” anything. You don’t need to be combative with me. Handle your issue however you need I’m just trying to be helpful

bentk

The voice repair is not a fix-all solution. I don't really use it because I don't need it. I have it just in case I need some guidance after a bad cold or a rough voice from shouting. It's really nice to have in my opinion. I like to have videos of Ken where he demonstrates everything and explains it all.

I don't think you will find the answer you need here. Ken himself could have a few good ideas for you.
Maybe @highmtn might have a few pointers for you. But we generally do not dish out a lot of medical advice.

I'm sorry to hear about all this and I notice it is very frustrating for you. I hope you can get this fixed and start a journey of recovery. We'll be right here.

highmtn

We can't offer any medical advice, but as a suggestion, safe doses of zinc, lipospheric vitamin C, lipospheric glutathione, and then very lightly applying the exercises in the vocal repair course could be helpful.

mikey_videotape

@sjonrokz4u sorry if that was combative, just struggling to get the right info. I will setup a third ENT appointment. Sounds like speech therapy is the next step.

@highmtn I've been taking the maximum amount of zinc per day for a few weeks now, but not much has changed yet. I will start with the other supplements you recommend asap.

Trying to avoid surgery here, but its been 6 months with no change. I just want to sing cleanly again.