Lost voice, 30 years old, slightly used

[Titi]

gargle with warm salt water. I lose my voice all the time due to allergies, and this is what I do. If that doesn't work then it is something more.

[BookstoreEscapee]

When I had a borderline pneumonia (or "cold pneumonia" as it's called over here since it's viral so antibiotics won't fix it) my mom used to prepare some broth with added garlic and herbs. It did help a bit, though I had to take some codeine coughdrops as well.

I got a 10-day course of antibiotics, an inhaler, and a cough syrup (not codeine, though). She said if I wasn't getting better in 2 days she'd send me for a chest x-ray. The following week I went for a checkup and she gave me 5 days worth of a second antibiotic, because while I was much better she could still hear some fluid in my lungs. I used the inhaler for a while longer, though, and it was still a few weeks before I attempted going up the stairs at work.

[NorthernZel]

When I had a borderline pneumonia (or "cold pneumonia" as it's called over here since it's viral so antibiotics won't fix it) my mom used to prepare some broth with added garlic and herbs. It did help a bit, though I had to take some codeine coughdrops as well.

Later on, I've experimented with the recipe a bit (by adding a bit of tomato juice and other seasoning + thicken the broth with some corn starch) and found out it's a great cure for serious hangovers as well

[BookstoreEscapee]

When I had the flu/borderline pneumonia a few years ago I was coughing so much that it was a good 6 weeks before my voice was back to normal. Luckily my job doesn't generally require a lot of talking, but of course right after I was back to work my boss went out for several days when his son was born, and someone left me a voicemail looking for something. I had to email her and ask her to tell me what she needed in an email because I couldn't talk. I ended up forwarding the email chain to our former director (who had moved to a different department) to help me with the request, and I swear he saw my original message and called me just to see what I sounded like.

I didn't do anything special, though. Lots of juice and tea and rest.

[KhirasHY]

I have a client like that. Every time he sends me an email "hey I have some work that needs done", I brace myself. Guaranteed, I'll be sick within the week.

I at least do everything in my power not to spread it. I'm moderately sure I wasn't contagious any more, but I still took a cough suppressant and cough drops (to let me talk normally). Didn't cough the whole time, so maybe it worked...

[Seraph]

Oh, the kicker? I have a dentist appt tomorrow It's weird, I have NEVER seen this guy without getting sick the week before. I don't know what the hell it is with my luck lately...

I have a client like that. Every time he sends me an email "hey I have some work that needs done", I brace myself. Guaranteed, I'll be sick within the week.

[EricKei]

Seshat reminded me of something -- there is a spray product, I believe it is called "Musician's Friend", that is supposed to help stave off sore throats/loss of voice from talking too much. However, it appears to be meant as a preventative. It could be worth looking into anyway.

edit: Right site, product is called something different. I dunno if they will help with actual lost voice, but maybe useful in the future.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/acces...ce-vocal-spray

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/acces...t-throat-spray

[retailworker7]

Have you tried throat lozenges in your tea. I use the Luden's honey lemon lozenges and disolve them in hot Lemon Zinger tea with a little bit of honey added.

This is a trick I use when I am out for karaoke and my voice goes. I sip on Cherry Bomb shots. It has to have the Doc's Cherry Schnapps. If you do not like the energy drink the doc's on it's own helps or you can ask to have a little bit of sprite added.

When I have had issues losing my voice at work and do not have access to hot tea I have found sipping on Lemonade to be quite helpful.

[KhirasHY]

Oh, the kicker? I have a dentist appt tomorrow It's weird, I have NEVER seen this guy without getting sick the week before. I don't know what the hell it is with my luck lately...

[fireheart]

<MOD SNIP>Anyone who lives by their voice and keeping it in the best possible condition

Teachers too. Hell, prior to my placement last year, one of the lectures they did was specifically 1 hour on voice care!

I also seem to have picked up your ailment, my throat is KILLING me.

[Seshat]

Be very gentle with your voice for the next few days; give it a proper chance to heal.

Look up singers' websites. As in, advice sites by and for professional singers; also those for actors and voice actors, radio announcers. Anyone who lives by their voice and keeping it in the best possible condition.

Those people are likely to have good patient-to-patient advice. (As always, take patient-to-patient advice with a grain - or a spoonful - of salt.)

[KhirasHY]

Voice finally made a comeback after I took a nap today...still froggy, but I think I'm past the worst of it now...

[fireheart]

Do not print out the "Things I am not allowed to do at work" thread as a phrase book.

That would be one big book!

I found strepsils and water to work wonders when I had tonsilitis on a teaching prac. Antibiotics kicked in after a couple of days. But seriously, when you get home, just rest your voice.

[KhirasHY]

Speaking (very)quietly rather than whispering is meant to be less stressful on the voice apparently. But yeah, carry a notebook, maybe with some helpful phrases prewritten you can indicate as required?

"What the fuck do you want?"
"Here's your god damn drink."
"Tip me or go away."
"Fuck you so much."

Do not print out the "Things I am not allowed to do at work" thread as a phrase book.

Ooooh.....damn, I need a new notebook. BRB...

[dalesys]

... some helpful phrases prewritten ...

Do not print out the "Things I am not allowed to do at work" thread as a phrase book.