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Post by benedict on Aug 9, 2017 18:38:17 GMT -8
How long after a throat injury would you wait before getting back in the booth?
Unfortunately I've got two things on my plate. One is a potential esophageal surgery, depending on how a doctor's visit goes next month. Really not looking forward to that. (If I wind up needing the surgery I'll be sure to discuss recovery with the surgeon before making any assumptions. Meanwhile I'm looking for ballpark figures if anyone knows. I'm guessing it'll be a while.)
The other is more likely to give me grief long-term. I've got Tourette's Syndrome. Most of the time it's not a problem, and when I'm recording I tend not to tic much, if at all. (Dash Mihok experiences the same thing when he's acting.) Unfortunately one of my current tics is self-injurious: I hit myself in the chest and chin in quick succession with my fist. Earlier today I missed and punched myself straight in the throat. It's not the first time this has happened, but this is the worst it's been. It happened about four hours ago and it's still hurting.
Right now I'm going by the "if it hurts don't do it" rule. I can talk quietly without making things feel worse but that's about it. Any other pointers?
Thanks,
Tom
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Post by Rebekah Amber Clark on Aug 9, 2017 20:33:21 GMT -8
Oh, man that sounds really rough. =( I'm afraid I have no clue about the surgery recovery time. And I'm very fortunate that the worst "throat injury" I've ever gotten was along the lines of my cat stepping on my neck or something -- so nothing like a fist to the throat, obviously.
I was wondering, though -- as far as prevention goes. Is there any possibility of some sort of throat guard you could wear? Something that would protect against the force and/or spread out the shock? I mean, I don't think it would be exactly comfortable but if it protects you from getting hurt I'd think it would be worth it.
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Post by benedict on Aug 9, 2017 23:46:22 GMT -8
I've been thinking about the throat guard. I wound up hitting myself again tonight, though not nearly as hard. I'd love it if this one faded out, but I've had some version of it for a couple of years. Something like a c-collar would be awkward, but might not be a bad idea for a while.
The pain is starting to subside. I read to my kids tonight. Quiet, and I kept things pretty monotone (aka BORING), but I was able to read without too much discomfort.
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Post by Rebekah Amber Clark on Aug 10, 2017 2:07:03 GMT -8
Yeah. I thought they *had* to have something like this for sports. I found a video reviewing a neck protector for martial arts: youtu.be/0PpnU5yh3xUI'm really glad to hear the pain is going away. And in addition to the pain and delays with recording, I know throat injuries can be really dangerous, if you get hit in the right (wrong?) spot... =(
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Post by benedict on Aug 10, 2017 18:31:10 GMT -8
Cool! Thanks! I'm going to have to poke around to find one that'll ship out here. The one supplier I've found for that model insists on UPS shipping. It's about twice the cost of the throat guard.
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duffyweber
Member
Posts: 220
I Am A(n): Professional Voice Actor, Semi-Professional Voice Actor, Audio Engineer
Pronouns: Any OK
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Post by duffyweber on Oct 1, 2017 9:58:02 GMT -8
Late to the party again, but for future ref, and anyone else interested:
A) Wait until your throat is COMPLETELY healed. I've had to have an ENT specialist run a tube up my nose and down my throat before, and let me tell you: NOT FUN.
B) A regimen of vocal warmups and strengthening after you feel back at 100% might help with the vocal cords and such, but I'll be honest: There's no exercises I know of to stregnthen your actual neck against physical blunt trauma. You might need, for the Tourettes, a neurologist or maybe some meds to keep that down to a dull roar. I fought Tae Kwon Do for years and whenever we talked about the neck it consisted of "don't hit people in it, unless it's, y'know, an actual murderer coming after you." The neck guard in this case might be your best bet. And I wouldn't shirk wearing it either. The throat is VERY delicate.
Best of luck! ^_^
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Post by benedict on Oct 1, 2017 11:43:57 GMT -8
Hahahaha! I studied TKD, too. I got the same lecture about the throat. We all wore gear when we sparred, and we all stayed away from the throat. (Though I did catch a 1-2-3 roundhouse-heel-roundhouse to the nose one time. Didn't break it, but WOOF! That was more excitement than I was after.) So far the doctorial results are: ENT visit #1 (prior to the throat injury) - Vocal cords look fine, mild irritation, see a gastroenterologist GE visit #1 (post throat injury) - Confirmed mild irritation, but no need for esophageal surgery (thank goodness!) ENT visit #2 is scheduled in two weeks. I'll ask him to take a look for any signs of throat trauma And you're right about the medication. I've been on meds for the TS for the last... oooh... five years, maybe? It's not enough to stop them but it takes some of the velocity out of them. I considered an increase, but there are complications with that as well. Meanwhile, on bad days I started pulling one of the cervical collars out of our trauma kit at work. It's not nearly as comfortable as the ones you found, Rebekah, but it works. (Though I feel a lot like Jayne from "The Train Job" in Firefly! ) Cheers! Tom
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duffyweber
Member
Posts: 220
I Am A(n): Professional Voice Actor, Semi-Professional Voice Actor, Audio Engineer
Pronouns: Any OK
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Post by duffyweber on Oct 1, 2017 17:30:14 GMT -8
Glad to hear you've got a plan for it! Keep us posted, and let us know you're doing okay (or conversely if you need support. That's what we're here for.)
Cheers! -Duffy
P.S. Been there done that, a-la the TKD: Got a kick to the jaw that LITERALLY cleared my sinuses out.
"You okay?!" "Wait... say that again." "ARE YOU OKAY?! "I CAN HEAR! I CAN BREATHE!!"
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Post by Rebekah Amber Clark on Oct 1, 2017 19:57:07 GMT -8
LOL, tai kwon do sounds both awesome and terrifying. XD So I mentioned this thread to my mom, and she suggested checking eBay for a seller who might ship to you at a more reasonable cost. Glad to hear you've got the cervical collar, though! And yeah, what Duffyweber said -- keep us posted so we can cheer you on and all that
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Post by benedict on Oct 1, 2017 23:15:44 GMT -8
Will do. I need to check, but I'm pretty sure the ENT appointment is on the 15th. Hoping for a clean bill! (I want to play!)
Thanks for everything.
Tom
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Post by benedict on Nov 17, 2017 12:05:47 GMT -8
Got the thumbs-up from the ENT! Mild irritation on one side I'm pretty sure is from a vocal tic, but he poked, prodded, and stuck a camera down my nose, and said I'm good to go.
Tom
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Post by Rebekah Amber Clark on Nov 17, 2017 13:29:59 GMT -8
Glad to hear it! I'm sure the camera down the nose wasn't much fun, but it's great that he said you're doing alright!
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