Vocal granuloma (nodes)

Jimmy4string

Jimmy4string

Sep 6, 2006
3,938
9,913
4,861
Austin Texas
#1
A couple of years back the ENT (ear nose and throat) doc showed me pics of my vocal granuloma. He had me start taking my prescription reflux medicine, cut down on my coffee and alcohol content and stop singing like Vince Neal and Brian Johnson. I got frightened and took up bass and sang light songs and Buck Owens county. Well the granuloma healed up so of course I got back in a rock band. Lots of head voice songs. I had a new outlook on how to approach lots of vocal excersizes , warmup and breathing techniques. It has been going well for a few months, i can feel the bump but it doesnt slip out and get too large affecting my range. Until last night. I didnt sleep the night before and during vocal warmup on scale of "gee" i could feel that pebble back there. Not a good sign. We were filming our rehearsal for our social media and checking out a new guitarist at practice last night . Noone else really noticed but performance was down on sonic highs. Went to the ENT again today and he reffered me to a vocal specialist. I will keep you up on the status as it goes.
If you are a singer-be sure to warm up that voice daily. I use the Aussie vocal warm up guy on you tube, Eric Arcineux's 360 breath and breathing from the diaphram on Youtube and Sophie sheer's vocal warm up and primer.
Anyone else have experience with vocal nodes?
 
#3
Jimmy4string said:
A couple of years back the ENT (ear nose and throat) doc showed me pics of my vocal granuloma. He had me start taking my prescription reflux medicine, cut down on my coffee and alcohol content and stop singing like Vince Neal and Brian Johnson. I got frightened and took up bass and sang light songs and Buck Owens county. Well the granuloma healed up so of course I got back in a rock band. Lots of head voice songs. I had a new outlook on how to approach lots of vocal excersizes , warmup and breathing techniques. It has been going well for a few months, i can feel the bump but it doesnt slip out and get too large affecting my range. Until last night. I didnt sleep the night before and during vocal warmup on scale of "gee" i could feel that pebble back there. Not a good sign. We were filming our rehearsal for our social media and checking out a new guitarist at practice last night . Noone else really noticed but performance was down on sonic highs. Went to the ENT again today and he reffered me to a vocal specialist. I will keep you up on the status as it goes.
If you are a singer-be sure to warm up that voice daily. I use the Aussie vocal warm up guy on you tube, Eric Arcineux's 360 breath and breathing from the diaphram on Youtube and Sophie sheer's vocal warm up and primer.
Anyone else have experience with vocal nodes?
Click to expand...

First of all, prayers for your situation.

Have you ever taken a few voice lessons with a real vocal instructor? Preferably someone who has had operatic training? This kind of work is incredibly helpful in learning to sing in a way that won't hurt your voice and your body. I would strongly recommend that as soon as your doctor says it's ok to sing.

My understanding from my kids is that it's a big change (both take voice lessons from an operatic soprano), but not only is there less damage, but you actually sing better.

Hope all gets well quickly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Atshen
#4
The singer lady in one of my bands had surgery for this a few years ago. She recovered completely and sings as well as before.

I know another who's currently recovering from it. He sings hard rock/metal (like you I guess). He can sing a few songs but has to stop when it starts to hurt. Too early to tell how he's gonna be in the long run.
 
#5
Ombudsman, is that he is recovering from the surgery or just trying to let it heal?
Surgery sounds pretty drastic but i am glad it helped the other lady. I probably would opt for that especially since this is an extra curricular activity and I have usually healed myself pretty well with natural means. However I appreciate your example.
I can do about 1.5 hour. Some of those songs like "Say what you will" -Fastway and some of the ACDC are more intense. The Stone Temple pilots have no effect.
 
#6
As a career singer and voice pedagogue, I highly recommend finding a voice therapist and voice instructor to help you rehabilitate and teach you a technique that works specifically for your instrument.

I'm not saying there isn't good information to be gained from some online sources, but since the teacher is not in the same room with you, there is no way for it to anything but generalized. It looks like you are in Austin--if you would like, I could see if I have any colleagues in the area that could recommend a teacher, once you are on the road to recovery. It will cost you a little (probably 60-80 bucks a lesson), but it will be money well invested if you want to avoid future damage.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimmy4string, BassCliff and kjones
#9
Also just for anyone that is curious some things that can cause this are:
1. Acid Reflux
2. Not taking prescription acid reflux meds (i hate taking prescribed meds)
3. Coffee (DANG IT!!)
4. Alcohol (AH HELL!!)
5. Drunken screaming ( i am er kind of exuberant at times)
6. Not preparing your voice properly to sing
7. Incorrect singing
8. Practicing incorrect singing thinking that it will develop throat muscles (i really thought this at one time!!)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Atshen
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back