 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dave Lee Ennis
Date: 2000-04-04 09:16
Hi. Yes, it's me again and I'm in serious trouble now. I have about 5 days left until my clarinet exam, and I have a problem with my throat. I think it's infected. Basically, it hurts like hell. I don't want to risk practising for the exam because I'm afraid that it might make my throat even worse. Surely one of you out there has had a similar problem in the past. What have you done about it? I'm going into panic mode now. First, the research problem and now this. Aghhhhh!!
Any commments would be appreciated.
Dave Lee Ennis.
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Author: michael
Date: 2000-04-04 11:36
Dave, go see your doctor and ask if she/he can do
a "rapid-strep" which will give you a quick answer.
Strep is still easily treated. If it is viral, then it
is just going to take time, but shouldn't cause any
permanent harm. Michael
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Author: Karel Vahala
Date: 2000-04-04 11:45
Go see you doctor. If bacterial, antibiotics will fix. If viral,get some "Difflam" lozenges. They are "anti-inflammatory" and will ease the soreness.
Karel.
(a retired doc)
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Author: steve
Date: 2000-04-04 14:41
our retired doc's advice should be followed!!! playing with a sore throat is excruciating!@!@!....rest and plenty of liquids (tea or ubiquitous chicken broth) is also a high powered curative...good luck!!! I'm sure you'll do fine!!!
s.
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Author: SusieQ
Date: 2000-04-04 16:02
Ditto! to all the above. All 3 of my kids just had strep. A day or 2 after taking antibiotics they were feeling better. Go to your doctor or clinic lab for a strep test. This can get really nasty if untreated, but if caught early can be easy to take care of. Luckily my son is a drummer, so it didn't affect his playing. Get Better Soon!
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Author: Willie
Date: 2000-04-04 20:59
If its bacterial, be sure to clean and disinfect your set up after each session so as not to reinfect or prolong the problem.
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Author: Amber
Date: 2000-04-04 22:59
Boy, do I know what you are going through. I have had 3 strep throats this school year alone plus countless chest colds, regular colds, allergies and food poisioning. Needless to say I have had a lot of auditions and exams screwed up by this! But don't panic!! Just stay calm and breathe ( even though it may hurt, you still need to breathe or you faint! :o)
The best advice is to see a doctor, NOW. The medicine today is fast and easy. But if you go with the numbing throat syrup,(which I don't recomend), please be careful. I tried it once and since I couldn't feel the pain, I had no idea that I was pushing myself too hard. In the middle of the audition, I could taste blood. That threw my composure completely and I suffered in immense pain the next day. So don't do that, or at least be really careful.
And be really really sure you swab and disinfect your instrument well or you could have this problem all over again!
And I don't know about your teachers, but if we bring a note from a doctor or they can tell we are really sick, then we get a day or two to recover and have a decent audition or exam.
Again DON'T PANIC worrying will just make you feel sicker and that is not a good thing. Good luck and I hope you are feeling better soon!
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Author: Kontragirl
Date: 2000-04-05 02:54
I think you are doing the right thing by not practicing. I've said it about a million times, and I'll probably say it even more, but never push yourself too hard. When you don't know if you can do it without causing yourself trouble, then don't. I agree with what everyone else is saying. So see your doctor and feel better!
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Author: C.Hogue
Date: 2000-04-05 02:56
Excellent advice above. I add two items: get as much rest as you can and ALWAYS wash your hands with plain old soap before handling your reeds.
Amber, a hint for you: handwashing is the simplest way to prevent sickness. Our moms were right! I started being very careful about washing my mitts before I eat or handle reeds and after using community keyboards (like in libraries) after I picked up pinkeye from someone in my office. ICK!!! I don't get sick nearly as much as I used to.
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Author: Dave Lee Ennis
Date: 2000-04-07 11:51
Thanks everyone. I've actually started to recover since then, so the antibiotics worked. I must have been lucky. I hate disinfecting my clarinet, 'cause I don't want to affect it in any way, but this time I'll have to, I guess. About the reeds, yes I have had the problem of colds re-accuring after using a reed that was used earlier, so I know exactly what you're talking about. Unfortunately, this may mean that I get a new box of reeds, 'cause I always keep them in a box, and I can never always tell which one's I have and haven't used. I like the story of the drummer, maybe I should take up another instrument? I tried lozenges, the things that you suck on, and they worked when I was ill. The illness didn't stay long enough for me to find out if I would damage my throat in the exam, but I'll keep it in mind. Thanks everyone.
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Author: HL
Date: 2000-04-11 00:28
Hi Dave - glad to hear your throat is better. My friend told me about your dilemma - mine is similar. I've been fighting the sore throat since the beginning of February and it is still not better. I go on antibiotics, but it only helps for a few days. I'm on my third round of antibiotics and everytime when I am out in the dampness for any length of time, or if I practice or play for any length of time, my throat closes up, is really sore and I'm on a liquid diet for a few days. I'm going to see a specialist next week. My playing buddy misses me and I'm tired of not being able to practice, or play. Any suggestions? Thanks - HL
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Author: Kim
Date: 2000-04-11 02:42
This is really bad, but could you have tonsilitis? I don't know the symptoms but it just seems weird!
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Author: HL
Date: 2000-04-12 02:54
I hope not - I don't have time to have them removed. My dentist thought it might be my wisdom teeth shifting, but somehow that doesn't seem right. I don't have any symptoms of tonsilitis, except the sore throat. I have a concert on the 13th and I hope I can play by then - my throat hurts again tonight. Could it just be a virus?
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