Prednisone treatment for 6 years

[Oddmanout]

I am diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Large vein vasculitis. I have taken steroids almost continuously for 6 year from initially 60ml/day down to my current 5ml/day. There have been several relapses over the years that varied the Prednisolone dosage. I sing in a male voice choir (25 years) and now struggling to reach the vocal range, particularly the high notes and have to stop singing on many songs because my voice just packs in. I’m 74 and others in the choir of similar age and older seem to cope much better than me. Could my continued prednisone be a factor in this?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Hi and welcome.

I had to give up singing nearly 20 years ago when my PMR first started. I had a permanent slightly sore throat and found it increasingly difficult to get high notes, I was a high mezzo soprano but my range shifted - I had been able to sing the Lloyd Webber Pie Jesu but I was happier amongst the altos but without the lower end of the range. Then my breath control wen, I couldn't get to the end of phrases, and finally I couldn't guarantee what note was going to come out and that was the end of even singing in the shower!

That was all before pred - I had had PMR for 5 years before I was offered pred as the GP didn't diagnose it despite being a fairly textbook presentation except for my blood markers being in range.

Many people find their voice becomes wobbly as they age - so maybe the combination of all the factors has contributed to the larynx stiffening and the results that can lead to:

uclahealth.org/news/article....

I do feel for you - I know how it upset me.

[Oddmanout in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you very much for your reply. It is helpful to me.

[suzy1959]

I have had PMR for 13 years. Since I was 40( 25years ago) I have been singing both on my own and in choirs. I found about 5 years ago, possibly due to not using my voice so regularly during lockdown ,that I could not get the high notes anymore, could not rely on the tone I liked coming out and could not hold a breath as long.

A friend of mine who is a singing teacher began to teach me a year or so ago. Her teaching method is mostly about the anatomy of singing and we realised that what I had previously done so naturally, I had to learn this time. All my bad habits have had to be corrected and I am not yet quite back to how I was but I am getting there. I am enjoying singing again and have gone back to the choir.

Emily is the best singing teacher I have ever had and the joy that I am now getting makes it so worth it!

I would say it’s never too late!

[Oddmanout in reply to suzy1959]

That is really encouraging. Thank you.

[SusyTe in reply to suzy1959]

Hi Suzy, from Susy 😊 I was wondering whereabouts you are as I have been thinking of possibly seeing a singing teacher? I live in Weybridge and sing with Rock Choir in Chobham. Like Oddmanout I feel my voice is not as strong as it used to be - with for me 9 years and counting with PMR and Pred.

[Oddmanout in reply to SusyTe]

I live in Lancashire and hoping to get some help from my choir MD. I have discussed my problem and she is hopeful that she may be able to help.

[SusyTe in reply to Oddmanout]

I hope she can help - singing is so uplifting! It restores my equilibrium and brings me so much joy, as I am sure it does you.

[suzy1959 in reply to SusyTe]

I am in Kent but my teacher trained in London with Anne Marie Speed- The Voice Explained using the Estill voice training method in London if that helps?

[SusyTe in reply to suzy1959]

Thank you, Suzy - I will look that up 😊