Serious issue for a singer

I need advice seriously.  I was diagnosed with sleep apnea before my WLS - and in many ways I feel that I sleep better with it - HOWEVER!!!! I wasn't working when i had my WLS, and I am a music teacher and pro-singer.
I find that I am hoarse many times and I struggle vocally at work with my mid-range.  My voice seems "tight" and not able to freely move the way I normally control it... I am filling my water in my cpap machine and I also have my humidity about 86.  I am going to make an appt. with my ENT doctor - but I really could use anything comments.... 

Have any of you ever experienced that specifically with a singing voice problem due to the cpap, etc.?

(Please Help me)

 I haven't had your problem nor have I ever had sleep apnea but I will pray that you find a resolution to your problem soon.   My youngest son is also a singer and a music major and I can relate to some of the problems when things affect your voice through him.    He is also a music minister at a small church.   Prayers coming your way for a quick and easy resolution.   Good luck and please let us know what you find out.

Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

Does your family say you still snore?  If I sleep without my C-Pap I wake up hoarse.  Even when I sleep with it, I wake up dry because I am a mouth breather.

If your family says you still snore with your machine, it may not be set high enough and need re-titrating.

Just a thought.

If you have a full mask, I would see about switching to one that only has the nasal pillows. This forces you to sleep with your mouth closed so you're not as apt to dry out your throat. Just a suggestion to try. Also, if you have any drainage or congestion, you might want to check into if you should really be using your c pap during that time. I hear, not verified, that it could cause more issues. I hope you find a resolution. Have a blessed one.

I recently read an article in a mag in a doctors office about a professional singer who had these symptoms. can't remember her name,but it was someone I recognized.

turned out to be  "silent  reflux". This singer had not had WLS and had no symptoms of reflux at all.  After she began treatment fot it the symptoms dissapeared and as long as she took her med she had no problem with it.

Even if you are being treated for acid reflux, I would hit the gastroenterologist office ASAP cause he/she is going to be able to treat you more effectively than your surgeon.
Good luck,
Holly

I agree with Susan.... you might be mouth breathing... i wear nasal pillows and it forces me to keep my mouth closed.  I can always tell if i've been mouth breathing wearing my mask because I wake up with dry mouth and slightly horse...

As soon as I read this, the question is are you on a ppi? sounds like you might have reflux at night. If you are on one might need to change the time to take later on in the day to cover you at night. Just a suggestion. Might be worth talking to your dr. Good Luck

Hi Lizzie,

I sing and had similar issues with hoarseness and soreness with the cpap in spite of using the humidifier.  What I found worked best was to drink extra water throughout the day.  Howeer, I have to say that I had some serious reflux issues (forget silent) and the other comments have me wondering if that is part of the issue.  When I eat too close to bedtime, I still wake up with a sore throat even though I don't use the cpap any longer. 

Keep the appt with the ENT to make sure that you treat what is up with you personally and to get treatment, as necessary, that helps you out.

Janice

Thanks for the advice.  I wear nose pillows - and not the mask.  I do not snore when I am wearing the cpap... and I always feel better after wearing it.  I have had a number of acid reflux treaments... in fact at one time before my surgery I had 5 esphogus ulcers - however they are all healed now but I am still taking the medications  - but only 1 time a day now since my surgery.  I think I will take all your advice and go get checked out - primarily first by my ENT doc... then go from there.