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Date sent: Sun, 26 Dec 1999 21:13:56 -0600 (CST)
Subject: MED: Coumadin and singing
To: VOCALIST
Organization: Southwest Texas State University
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

Hello and Happy New Year, listers!
It's been a very merry Christmas, but not for the reasons we had expected. I
was just released from the hospital on 12/23, having been admitted 5 days
previously for a pulmonary embolism. (I had had arthroscopic knee surgery
before Thanksgiving, and had just been cleared to begin getting off of
crutches) I'm an otherwise healthy and active 44 year old, so this was quite a
shock.
I was treated with IV heparin for 4 days, then made the transition to oral
Coumadin. I am wondering how these blood-thinning drugs affect vocal fold
function and singing, if there are any precautions to take, etc. Is it safe to
sing, or am I better off putting off my "big singing" until after I go off the
medication?
As a BTW, if you or a loved one is EVER experiencing shortness of breath or
unusual pain with breathing, do not mess around and think it will get better if
you just put your feet up for awhile. Pulmonary embolism is the leading cause
of sudden death, and one of the most frequently misdiagnosed ailments. Yes, I
was indeed blessed with excellent physicians and nurses, as wel as a husband
who said, "That's it! Your'e going to the emergency room!" When you tell your

students to enjoy each breath, mean it--I know in the future I will indeed.
Thanks for your advice.

MaryBeth D. Smith
Coordinator of Voice/Opera
Southwest Texas State University