Are there steps I can take to try and prevent the total loss of voice that I'm fully expecting by morning?

Tea with honey. Hard candy. I have no idea if those will actually work, but they’ll make you feel better : )

Gargle warm salt water and drink plenty of liquids.

@augustine, Doesn’t just writing tea w/honey make you feel better?

Why do you want to keep it from happening? Doesn’t this give you a perfect excuse to take a sick day?

sure, except I was out yesterday because my shift only allowed 2 hours of work before I would’ve had to leave.

I know it’s already the next day, but I wanted to respond.

Vocal abuse causes the vocal folds to get inflamed… Typically only rest can really help. Drinking helps to keep the body adequately hydrated, and the warmth and soothing properties of tea with honey just feels good anytime! If you can take an anti-inflammatory pain reliever, like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve), give it a try to get you through your day.

Be very careful if you gargle, because it does engage the vocal cords, so do it very gently and try not to vocalize to much. Try to avoid talking when it isn’t necessary; because even when whispering, we instinctively tighten the vocal cords even though they aren’t vibrating as forcefully as when we speak normally.

If vocal abuse is continuous, they form vocal cord nodules (kind-of like callouses) which is common in cheerleaders and others who holler on a regular basis.

I’m glad you had a good time at the concert; but next time, let the others make all the noise. Feel better soon. :)

@hearkat: I waited 21 years to be at that concert. I sort of couldn’t help myself. I’m actually usually pretty calm at shows. :)

as it turns out, I had to call out anyway. The sciatica I’ve been fighting since Sunday night finally won the battle and after sleeping only 2 uncomfortable hours, it just took me 45 minutes to get out of my bed. I still have my voice >.<

Motrin is an anti inflamatory and probably would help a bit.

@PoofAndMook: 21 years! Are you that old? What concert was it?

@hearkat: New Kids on the Block, and I’m 25. Don’t laugh, they were my entire childhood. They’re associated with all the good memories I have of being a kid.