 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: martin
Date: 2003-05-02 02:34
Do any of you suffer from acid reflux and does it worsen when you play?
If so is there anything you have found helpful?
Martin
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Author: Jerry
Date: 2003-05-02 02:44
I do. Pepsid helps if taken 1/2 hour before meals. But since I usually forget to do this, I recommend the following:
Limit large meals to at least 3 hours before you play. Alternatively, eat much smaller portions. I've lost over 5 lbs since I started playing 6 months ago. Clarinet playing in conjunction with acid reflux is a great diet plan!
Jerry
The Villages, FL
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Author: kenabbott
Date: 2003-05-02 11:29
I've had it for a few years and been tested for everything. Nexium appears to have cured it. It doesn't bother me when I play.
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Author: hans
Date: 2003-05-02 15:01
Attachment: plicator2.bmp (829k)
I had this for about forty years and had surgery in February that appears to have cured it. Playing did not make it worse, but reflux interfered with playing and some medications for it cause dry mouth, headache, bowel upset, etc.
The reflux is more than a nuisance, since eventually it will damage the lining of the esophagus and can cause constriction and cancer of the esophagus.
There are several operations available to cure it.
My operation was endoscopic plication. It is a relatively new approach; i.e., under conscious sedation a gastroenterologist operated by inserting a very complex instrument down my throat to manipulate the hernia and insert a stitch, which tightened the hernia. The procedure took 20 minutes and I went home a few hours later. For a week afterwards, I was restricted to "soft", as in "can cut with a fork", food. There was some discomfort for about ten days, treated with Tylenol. Now Im cured. I would do it again without reservation.
An acquaintance, who had the "fundoplication" procedure where the top of the stomach is wrapped around the bottom of the esophagus and stitched into place, is unable to vomit or consume cold drinks. I understand that this is a common result of fundoplication. Her surgery required small abdominal incisions, a hospital stay, and included a much longer recovery period on a liquid diet, since it results in considerable swelling of the affected area.
I have attached some additional information on the procedure I had.
Hans
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Author: wyatt
Date: 2003-05-02 15:15
if this is a major problem see a GI spec. if it is a minor problem there are a lot of OTC medications available. what ever it can leave a rotten taste in your mouth.v
bob gardner}ÜJ
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Author: hans
Date: 2003-05-02 16:20
OTC medications often have side effects too; e.g., Tums can cause constipation.
Frequent reflux and heartburn is a major problem, with potentially fatal consequences, and medication is not, in my experience, a good long term solution. Been there, done that, etc.
Jerry gave some good advice about eating. My gastroenterologist advised me to avoid certain foods which can increase stomach acid production and exacerbate the problem, e.g., ice cream. Ice water is often useful for mild heartburn. Chewing gum seems to help as well.
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Author: Mark M
Date: 2003-05-02 18:47
I had it for years and got tired of taking prescription drugs. Prevacid works great. I decided to have the fundoplication as Hans described and had absolutely no problems as he described. Overnight hosp. stay and a couple days on soft foods was all for recovery. Now, I can eat all the "good" stuff I want. My surgeon indicated that the reason he was so good at it was because of all the video games he played in earlier life. The surgery is done by inserting the tools/cameras into upper abdomen and working "remote conntrolly". Get a surgeon who excelled in video games!
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Author: Burt
Date: 2003-05-02 22:00
I've had the problem for a few years, but it doesn't impact my clarinet playing. It's much worse when I'm lying down.
Hans and Mark, thanks for the valuable information on surgical techinques.
Burt
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Author: martin
Date: 2003-05-02 23:01
Thank you all for the advice. I have been to see a G.I. doctor. I have had reocurring episodes about three years apart, one brought on by the flu and this one after a stressful event. I am currently takin acifex in the morning and pepsid in the evening. At its worse point I had to dicontinue playing for about three weeks. Thanks again, all, for the information.
Martin Shapiro
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-05-02 23:20
As a fellow suffering player, I can point out two things that make an immediate improvement; although they may sound simplistic...
Make certain you have the right belt and pants size; 1/2 inch can make a genuine difference.
Your sitting position should be upright, yet relaxed... the tension in your abdomen will be increased if slouching or slumped.
********
I quite like the Tagamet in liquid form, it works (for me) immediately.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-05-05 10:57
Yet another! At least I am not alone. We should form a support group.
I do not eat a large meal too close to playing, say 2 to 3 hours. Drink plenty of water before, after and wherever possible through a gig or rehearsal. Stretch my shoulders and chest cavity as well as my back before playing for a few minutes at least. Try to walk for at least 35 to 45 minutes per day with special attention to keeping my back straight and shoulders back.
For cheap relief I resort to Quick Eze tablets available only in Australia I believe, Rennies or drinking Eno's.
I believe woodwind players are susceptible to indigestion as I have observed many players with similar problems. Watch the smoking it irritates also.
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