I've been sick for about 2 months now. I thought I was fighting the never-ending sinus infection. I used Sudafed for a while but felt it dried me out way too much, then I tried an allergy medication, then I started using a nasal spray. At one point, my doctor gave me a Z-pack (an antiobiotic to clear up a bacteria infection in the sinuses) and I did start to feel a little better. But . . .I never completely got my full voice back; I kept having a raspiness in the mid-range of my singing voice. I was becoming very frustrated -- I sing a lot, especially in December. When I started noticing signs of sinus problems (I'll spare you the details) on Thanksgiving Day, I made sure to call the doctor on Friday to see if I could get an appointment.
As I met with the physician's assistant as most of the world was shopping, she proposed another Z-pack, a better nasal spray, and a third medication that surprised me -- Preavid, a heartburn/acid reflux medicine. Since I haven't experienced any heartburn symptoms, I didn't expect this diagnosis. As the PA explained it, treating me for heartburn wouldn't hurt me if I didn't have it, so we'll give it a whirl and see what happens.
I can't begin to explain the difference even a few days on this medicine has made! My voice is back nearly 100%, which is timely since I had a performance today. I started talking to some other singers about this issue, and I know of at least 3 others who have the same problem. Evidently, it can be a vicious cycle: the acid irriates the voice and the sinuses, the sinuses drain and irriate the voice. One singer I talked to had a much more advanced case of the acid reflux and was actually experiencing deterioration of her vocal cords! Luckily, she is on medication now and is on the mend.
I am sooooo glad to be able to sing again! I've been missing being able to fully participate in my various vocal adventures. :)
Praise and thank God for you and the wisdom He has given your doctor!
Posted by: Joyce | December 03, 2008 at 03:54 AM