I am a singer, and struggle very much because my TN pain affects when I can sing a lot of times. My vocal coach says I don't appear to have any harmful tension when I sing. Also, most people agree that singing should be as relaxing and easy as speaking. So why is when I sing, particularly my higher notes in my "head register", that the pain is triggered. Speaking is not a trigger, so why would singing be?
Hello …I know it ’ s a bit miserable but I try not to sing in church anymore ! Before I got diagnosed with TN, the doc thought it was TMJ disorder and you ’ re not supposed to sing with that. I think it could trigger sth. I think us English speakers don’t move our mouths much when we talk , but when we sing, it uses a lot more muscles 
Hi - I am so sorry hear about your struggle since you are a singer. I am not a singer but I did belong to a weekly singing group and I had to stop because, so sadly, singing triggers me madly. I am TN2 and GPN. I believe it is the vibration. Can’t sing in the car or around the house anymore either.
I hope you’ve been able to find a solution.
I am in your predicament as well. It really stinks! No more recording and performing and just enjoying singing. A few times a day I try, maybe about 2% of the time I have been my old self.
My voice coach has done TN research, we know I am not holding tension.
I will be working with a NeuroScience team starting in April, if and when I get an answer, I will post.
It is so hard not to sing, as it was such a huge part if my life.
I can a little if I brace both sides of my jaw to my face with my hands, but you know that isnt productive.
I will keep you posted if and when I get some answers.
I just wanted to say that i can relate some....i love to sing. Along with the radio while cleaning, along with Pandora.com while on the computer...and karaoke when ever i can. It was a good part of who i "was". I can't do it anymore, because it causes pain.
Although, you mentioned bracing both sides of you face....i have noticed myself that if i held my face very hard, that i can sing some too. Also (probably not relavent or productive to this discuss...however..) Back before i got diagnosed, the only real relief i got was from drinking... when i got pretty well into my cups, i COULD then sing. Not sure why. Certainly not a help to you...can't record drunken singing...lol
Anyway..keep posting about this; i'm truly interested in any info you have/get as well as any results.
Wishing you peace and musical harmony,
~Mistee
Yes, it is hard to not sing! I get the bracing too. blueeyedgirl I hope you get enough functioning back to record.
Also interested to hear about the NeuroScience team you are going to be working with.
Mistee, next to singing I miss having a drink or two with my friends but alcohol has been a trigger from the start of this over three years ago:(
I also find just plain old talking to be one of my worst triggers and sometimes I brace the jaw/temple area to get a few more words out! For me its even harder not to talk than not to sing.
Bella
Yes it makes sense because there is probably more vibration when you sing than when you speak. :-)
Yes makes perfect sense! I recently went to a rock concert (BAD idea) the loud music and drums....all of it was a nightmare for my TN. Also just yesterday I was sitting beside my daughter and she clapped her hands really loudly and I instantly got 3 shocks on my left side....anything loud or talking alot or singing...definately triggers mine.
I told my hubby that concerts are probably out of the question for us from now on and we LOVE going to concerts! Motley Crue is our favorite!
barberchick said:
Yes makes perfect sense! I recently went to a rock concert (BAD idea) the loud music and drums....all of it was a nightmare for my TN. Also just yesterday I was sitting beside my daughter and she clapped her hands really loudly and I instantly got 3 shocks on my left side....anything loud or talking alot or singing...definately triggers mine.
It's because of the vibrational sounds of singing. It vibrates the nerve (I think), I had to stop singing too.I can barely go to church due to the singing,k and I've missed some concerts of a lifetime because I know the pain will be too severe to stay.
Yes, I agree about the vibrations. Sad not to be able to go to church Sheila or Mötley Crew, Donna. But speaking of concerts of a lifetime…
Late last night I got an email from a friend who just won tickets to a Leonard Cohen concert (row 12) and invited me, also for dinner…this is a date! And I said yes. So going to wear my hearing protectors and hats and possibly sunglasses and take tramadol and there will be TN hell to pay but it’s been a long winter…
Any other protection suggestions?