OK, I don't normally ask for medical advice on forums :D but I'm in dubio as to whether to visit my GP over this, I keep hoping that it'll pass.
So anyway, here's the deal. My choir is giving concerts this Friday and the next, and the last few weeks have been filled with rehearsals, practise, rehearsals etc. Now I've had a sore throat off and on for about two or three months, never serious though. At first I kept waiting for it to degenerate into a full-fledged cold, but it always got a little better, then a little worse. So I didn't visit a doctor because apart from a slightly annoying "filmy" feeling over my vocal chords (like you're almost hoarse) and the sore feeling, it wasn't truly bothering me.
I guess that did put a strain on my chords after all because a week ago, on Sunday, I got this really strange feeling in my throat. I've never felt it before, even though I've had plenty of sore/inflamed throats.
When I move my tongue slightly, it feels as if there's a sharp piece of plastic or something pressing into it. Of course I don't think there's really anything lodged in my throat :D it's just that it feels exactly like something sharp is pressing into the back of my throat/tongue. It feels like the membrane is completely dried out there. This weekend I had an extra rehearsal (should have stayed at home) and for the last two days, not only do I feel the sharp thing, but occasionally when I start to talk, I get a cutting feeling to the back of my throat like it's slashed with a piece of glass. It's extremely nasty when it happens and I barely dare speak now.

Like I said my throat's been inflamed many times, but it's never felt like this before. I'm guessing I've just sung way too much when I had a slight cold (I don't think it's to do with technique, I know how to sing without straining things and haven't had problems in previous years), and the membranes got inflamed or dried out somehow, but I'm no expert, of course.
Attalus, Willow and maybe Hugh are though... any clues?
It goes without saying that I'm giving my voice a rest now - we have the last rehearsal tonight but I'll just listen, not sing. Friday is the first concert though. This really sucks :(

[ 05-19-2003, 05:49 AM: Message edited by: Melusine ]

well, it's either your throat has an infection, unless you have a kidney problem or something. this can lead to other things so better have it checked.

but one thing is for sure though... they will say that you need to REST. either way, whatever, REST. :D that is what you really, REALLY need. ;)

LOL Bahamut, I don't have a kidney problem and I know there's probably an infection. I also know it's most likely caused by over-use of my voice. And I've lost count of the number of times I've been ill so I know I need to rest. That's what I'm doing, I'm resting my ass off here. :D
I'm asking for specific advice (preferable from someone with medic knowledge or knowledge of singer's problems) about the cutting feeling at the back of my throat before I go see a doctor. Will I need antibiotics? Does anyone recognise the symptom? Again I've had plenty of inflammations of the throat but never this weird feeling of something sharp cutting into my throat.


Thanks for the help though [img]smile.gif[/img]

Its short-term relief but... Chloroseptic spray?

In the absence of our resident medics, this might be a possibility.

All the best!

Thanks Mouse, but I don't think that's it... I've read about it before. I haven't been shouting or singing out of my range or abusing my voice, just sung too much. But even so, it doesn't mention the weird pain and I'm not especially hoarse. Thanks for the good wishes [img]smile.gif[/img]

Quietman, thanks for the tip - I've no idea if they sell it over here though. What is it exactly?

Damn, this really sucks :( I really need to be better by Friday...

[ 05-19-2003, 11:47 AM: Message edited by: Melusine ]

Melusine, I've been thinking about this, and I have had such pain in my throat before now, I think one time it was an ordinary throat infection, and another time it was from where a fish bone that I swallowed scratched my throat and it got infected - both times it felt as if there was something cutting into my throat. Sounds like a trip to the doc could be in order.

Oh and chloroseptic is an anti-bacterial anaesthetic throat spray - gives excellent relief for short periods of time, and has helped me get through concerts when my throat's been a bit ragged.

Hope it goes soon [img]smile.gif[/img]

Thanks Laura...

Holland really sucks med-wise, I don't think we have anything like that spray over here. When I was in Scotland I got really nauseous and my stomach ached, so my boyfriend went to the drugstore and they gave him Pepto-Bismol. It worked like a charm but we haven't got *anything* similar over here.
I'll go and check anyway though.

[ 05-19-2003, 11:58 AM: Message edited by: Melusine ]

Try to conserve your voice Mel. Don't whisper, that will only make things worse. Try not to talk too much. And drink plenty of hot fluids to ease your throat. On the bright side, ice-cream will also help sooth your throat. ;)

Oh and if you haven't done so already, go see your physician. If you have tonsillitis you probably need antibiotics.

[ 05-19-2003, 02:23 PM: Message edited by: WillowIX ]

To add to <font color=deeppink>Willow's</font> excellent advice, I would recommend gargling with warm salt water (a couple of shakes in a tumbler) every four hours. This will bring down the swelling and cut the mucus. Plenty of fluids, otherwise, but no caffiene or alcohol.

Thanks very much for your advice guys (gals) [img]smile.gif[/img]

I've heard about the salt water gurgling before, thanks! One question though before I try it - is it supposed to dissolve mucus? Because I think my problem is that I have too little of it, not too much. It feels like I've scraped off a layer of it by singing too much - my throat and nose feel dried out all the time.
I'm also taking lots of honey, a fellow soprano at the choir told me it heals as well as soothes. The conductor actually recommended tea but I guess it'll have to be herb tea because of the caffeine.
I'll try not to whisper, but I'm talking as little as I can (which is extremely difficult by the way ;) , thank goodness I don't use my voice for Internet conversation)

Thanks again for the help!

No, it doesn't dissolve mucus, it just makes it more liquid and less glue-like. Its primary action is to bring down the swelling. As for honey, who knows? Might help, couldn't hurt.

See, well there's the problem. Or rather, that's not what the problem is ;)
I don't have a swollen throat or viscous, gluelike mucus or anything. That's what I normally get with an inflamed throat and for that I wouldn't ask advice. [img]smile.gif[/img] (and I didn't mean literally dissolve of course...)

Anyway I got an appointment with the doctor this afternoon (wouldn't have thought so huh Groj? Now when are YOU seeing one? [img]smile.gif[/img] ;) ) so we'll see if there's anything he can do

[ 05-20-2003, 04:53 AM: Message edited by: Melusine ]

<font color=lime>Most important above all....DONT BREATH!! [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]

Had to say it. What about Strep? I have had Strep throat many times, and that is how it feels, like something is "scratching" the back of your tongue. Penicillen(?) will clear it right up, if thats what it is. Just a thought. Best of luck! [img]smile.gif[/img] </font>

I'm sorry I'm so late in response. My spelling (as always) was attrocious but I found a link to order the stuff. Now, I must be honest: It tastes bad. But 3-4 squirts and acid burns would go numb. Here goes:

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/buyinpri...orsprayby.html

Huh, what? What did you say? Sorry, I think my hearing isn't what it used to be anymore, could you speak up, by any chance? [img]graemlins/confused2.gif[/img] :D

<h6>but seriously: it has been a bit hectic with the festival and all (spent most of the day on all kinds of organizational matters, varying from making urgent appointments and helping to build stage properties; and there's another general meeting later this evening as well [img]graemlins/1disgust.gif[/img] ), but I'll call first thing in the morning tomorrow for an appointment about my hearing problems. Promise. ;) </h6>

[ 05-20-2003, 11:31 AM: Message edited by: Grojlach ]

Quietman, thanks so much for the help but I don't think it would be good to completely numb my throat. Yes, I could sing them but I'd probably end up damaging things even more then because I wouldn't feel the pain.

I'm on a regime of camomile tea, honey and assorted menthol/licorice/eucalyptus candy now, and trying not to speak out loud. That's apparently all I can do.
I didn't actually get to see the doctor, I got a co-assistent though who was nice and helpful. He thinks I may have a slight infection after all, my lymph glands were swollen and my throat looked red. He wanted to prescribe something to numb my throat as well but we agreed it wouldn't be a good idea after all. Will just have to wait it out and hope it gets better in time, and meanwhile I cannot speak unless I absolutely have to :(

Edit: Aww dammit Maarten! If you're deaf and I'm dumb, how the heck are we to communicate? LOL :D :D
Good luck with the organisation stuff, remember to take a break when you need one, things will go just fine [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 05-20-2003, 11:36 AM: Message edited by: Melusine ]

Well, there's always sign-language... :D

Thanks. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] But you're right, things will go just fine. [img]smile.gif[/img] It's just that while I'm there, I might as well try to arrange the things which could theoretically wait till later this week; with a bit of luck, I'll even end up having a very welcome day off somewhere between now and the festival next Sunday. ;)