Bob-Dubery
I spent large chunks of the weekend in bed with "upper respiratory tract infection". IE sinuses clogged, head aching, constant stream of gunky stuff running out of nose. Real "bold in the dose" territory as regards speaking, throat not too bad but a blocked up nose & sinuses makes singing difficult.
Now professional musicians cannot be immune to such troubles, so, I found myself wondering, what the hell do they do when they have a gig and something like this? Is there some special spray that dispels the symptoms for a couple of hours? Do you just get up there and do your best? Go to the quack for some sort of magic shot?
Tonedef
Milli Vanilli know how! Ask them! ?
PS Hope you feel better soon! I was flattened by an URI a couple of weeks ago, that crap is nasty and we have to deal with it EVERY. DAMN. YEAR! >☹
Jack-Flash-Jr
X-rated Bob wrote
I spent large chunks of the weekend in bed with "upper respiratory tract infection". IE sinuses clogged, head aching, constant stream of gunky stuff running out of nose. Read "bold in the dose" territory, as regards speaking, throat not too bad but a blocked up nose & sinuses makes singing difficult.
Now professional musicians cannot be immune to such troubles, so, I found myself wondering, what the hell do they do when they have a gig and something like this? Is there some special spray that dispels the symptoms for a couple of hours? Do you just get up there and do your best? Go to the quack for some sort of magic shot?
They probably do what I do... cortisone. I hate the stuff but it unblocks the sinuses, ears etc. etc. and if you prop it up with painkillers you're good to go. Of course you pay the price for suppressing your immune system later...
Manfred-Klose
i never get sick, its strange?
well there was this one gig i played in worcester and had another gig 2 hours later in langebaan, i picked up a cold somewhere between the two towns, but the gig turned out ok.
i think i still got a strong immune system from being young and active, dont wanna be gigging when it starts to fail.
shaundtsl
I have also wondered this, especially big bands who have sold large numbers of tickets. They cant let a snotty nose get in the way?
Sinus is one thing, but, what about the pains and aches of full blown flu, when your body is feeling run down. How do you get up on a stage in front of a big crowd and be that energetic lively person the fans expect of you?
In my job, if I am feeling under the weather, I can still go to work and bit a bit less productive than usual and then catch up the next day or so. The profession of a working muso is not as forgiving as that.
Tonedef
shaundtsl wrote
Sinus is one thing, but, what about the pains and aches of full blown flu, when your body is feeling run down. How do you get up on a stage in front of a big crowd and be that energetic lively person the fans expect of you?
Maybe some musos do what Eric Clapton wrote a song about...? ?
Jack-Flash-Jr
There's also the 'gig-high' - if you're having a good gig you tend not to notice anything else...
Attila
ahhhh I knew that was going to come in handy.
Zinc for the common cold
1
9 February, 2011
“Zinc supplements can reduce the severity and length of cold symptoms,” reported the Daily Express. It said that taking zinc syrup, lozenges or tablets within a day of developing symptoms helps people fight off colds quicker.
The news story is based on a review of 15 trials in more than 1,300 people. Zinc was found to reduce the duration of colds by about a day on average if taken within 24 hours of symptoms starting
read more
http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice/clinical-specialisms/immunology/zinc-for-the-common-cold/5025919.article
Dr. Attila
Danny-B
I was once doing a musical, and was struck down with flu in the middle of a two and a half week run. I actually passed out in the wings one night, but, the show must go on...may sound cliche, but really true.
AlanRatcliffe
The symptomatic relief cold and flu tablets for performance. It wipes me out afterwards though and the illness seems to last longer than it does if I don't use the tablets, but it's worth it for the odd performance here and there.
Riaan
Only one thing helps: a few glasses of a good Shiraz, and off to bed and sleep. One of those kinds of sleep where you wake up with your tongue stuck to the pillow, and it sounds like Velcro when you tear it loose... ?
Not that it will help with a gig though... ?
Kalcium
Danny B wrote
I was once doing a musical, and was struck down with flu in the middle of a two and a half week run. I actually passed out in the wings one night, but, the show must go on...may sound cliche, but really true.
Wild shot in the dark but was this by any chance the St Mary's production of Grease? Pretty sure that happened to one of the guys in the show...
Bob-Dubery
Working musicians must have to deal with colds and various ailments. I suppose that if you're U2 you might retain a doctor and do things pre-emptively, but they're less than 1% of 1% of 1% of all working musicians. What about the guys who tour blues bars in the USA or who work the Barnyard circuit in this country?
I must say that I think that the mythological sex and drugs and rock 'n roll lifestyle is... well not a myth but certainly unsustainable. You just can't sustain that in the long term AND tour and make records. Lady Gaga must be in very good shape (and I don't just mean to look at). I'll bet you that Bon Jovi spend lots of time in the gym or doing yoga.
Dave-the-Pub-muso
I have had this problem and have somewhat remedied the situation by doing the following: Find a Thai take away and order the spiciest bowl of Tom Yum soup you can stomach. The lemon grass in it is an immune booster, the chilli acts as a decongestant and expectorant (clears the sinuses and lungs) and also causes the body to release some "feel-good" endorfins. Afterwards, drink a good couple of rounds of Gin and Tonic - the quinine in the tonic is good for fever and body ache.
I spent 5 years in the retail pharmacy industry before changing career, so I know a thing or two about over the counter pharmaceuticals and I am cconvinced that this "food and drink" approach really does the trick... Also, no drowsiness(unless you overdo the gin!)
Cheers,
Dave
