Giant Steps (backwards that is)

jersey_mike · Apr 23, 2007

How do people affected by nasty seasonal allergies play this instrument? Last year at this time I just put the horn away for a day or 2 at a time during the worst of it (didn't really matter at the time as I was just noodling aimlessly), but this year in my area the pollen count is a lot worse and there was a 5 day stretch when I just couldn't get into playing (a jackhammer couldn't have made a dent in the sinus congestion!!!) Now that I finally can breathe a bit my playing sounds like I've regressed a full month or more! The tone is shaky and I feel like I have the air support of a 5 year old. Does anybody else here go through this? How long does it normally take to recover?

Linky Lee · Apr 23, 2007

I have a few problems when I have a cold or something similar.

I just keep plugging the technical exercises instead of the tone and things. I'll get hold of some new music as well.

It's just one of those things that troubles us and there isn't much we can do.

gordonc · Apr 23, 2007

Might be worth a chat with a friendly doctor Mike.

Allergic respiratory problems are common at this time of year and vary in severity from sniffles, sneezes and itchy eyes - right through to severe wheeze and asthma.

Have you tried a simple non sedating antihistamine tablet. You can buy them in a pharmacy here in the UK and I guess it will be the same in the US.

If that doesn't help then go get a medical check over incase you need nasal steroid sprays or even an inhaler in the short term.

I'm a family physician in the UK so see a lot of this in Spring time - and you're right - this year so far does seem worse than usual.

Bobby G · Apr 23, 2007

Mike, you have my sympathy, I know several people with this condition and it is unpleasant. I don't suffer myself, but having had a cold recently I can understand what it's like in some small way.

Oddly, the cough that hung around after the cold went didn't get in the way of my playing.

I hope you find some way round it.

Cheers, Bob

Rogerb · Apr 23, 2007

I went through a really bad phase of nasal congestion about 18 months ago.... used to wake-up feeling unable to breathe... scary.

My friendly Spanish GP put me on a course of tablets(antihistamine, I think) and a cortisone spray, which cleared it up in a couple of weeks.

I have always had a bit of a problem in that area, but the dry Spanish air helps, I think! (Not that it's been very dry lately!)

It's not a seasonal thing for me, and don't think it's an allergy.... just the way I'm made 🙁
I think sax playing has helped 🙂