 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Noelene
Date: 2006-08-02 04:43
Hello
I have a question. Maybe there is somebody here with a similar problem or else a clarinet-playing doctor who will know what I am talking about.
Some days (like today), I can't practise my clarinet because each time I try to, I start gagging and sometimes throw up. I have a feeling that maybe this problem is related to my sinuses and a drip down the back of my throat? Of course, I could be way off base here. I don't eat straight before I clean my teeth either because this will also make me gag and throw up. My mouth also seems to produce a lot of saliva when playing and sometimes I need to constantly stop to swallow. (I am the type of person that the dentist has to constantly have the suction on for during treatment).
I am going to see my own doctor about this but she may not know what I am talking about since she doesn't play any sort of wind instrument herself. Also it would be nice to know whether this is a common problem or not.
Any advice will be accepted with thanks.
Have a nice afternoon, all!
Regards,
Noelene
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Author: Phaedra
Date: 2006-08-02 07:03
Hi Noeline,
I tend to suffer from something similar, although not to the extreme you seem to. It tends to 'get' me when I first wake up in the morning and walk through the kitchen, rather than when I'm playing or brushing my teeth. I too believe it is related to the drip at the back of my throat, and probably exacerbated by overly large (but healthy) tonsils.
The best thing I have found for the 'post nasal drip' as my doctor calls it is a combination of nasal sprays - after a shower, or a steam bath, start with Otrivin to open things up, followed by Narium mist to get things running out rather than down. Both of these are available over the counter from a chemist. Your doctor may also recommend Nasonex, which is more expensive, and on prescription. I have had success with this regime. The saliva problem, I'm not so sure, but I know that when I get to the point of gagging, the saliva starts up too, so they may be related.
Good luck at the doctor.
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Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2006-08-02 12:22
Once again, you should seek medical advice. However, it is quite common for gagging to be a stress-related problem. Go to the doctor and explain your problem. If you're not having this problem when you're not playing the clarinet, that is indicative of something.
Sue Tansey
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2006-08-02 13:09
Bring the clarinet along too, to show the doctor what happens.
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Author: Noelene
Date: 2006-08-09 04:05
Thank you for all your helpful suggestions. I have been to my doctor so thought I would give an update here for anybody interested.
My doctor says that the gagging could be caused by one of two things ... firstly the sinuses (or more specifically a post-nasal drip, as I suspected), and secondly, a mild reflux action of the stomach which can be brought on by playing clarinet or cleaning teeth. She also thinks that it is the former. She has prescribed Nasonex and, while it is still early days, I think it is helping ... but I will reserve my opinion until a little more time passes. Also, she has booked me in to have a CT scan of my sinsuses.
I am lucky that I have a GP who believes that any problem, no matter how minor, should be investigated and resolved if it interferes with a person's lifestyle.
Thank you again, all!
Regards,
Noelene
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Author: Brenda ★2017
Date: 2006-08-09 12:17
Well good for your doctor! If something is causing you to gag and throw up, it isn't a small matter. Hope things work out well for you.
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Author: ginny
Date: 2006-08-09 15:54
Although I am not always thrilled by my playing it has yet to make me gag and throwup.
Seriously, I'm glad you've gotten some good advice and will get this taken care of.
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Author: clarinet@55
Date: 2006-08-09 17:27
I used to affected that way, but my problem originated form an upset stomach caused by that post nasal drip and acid reflux & a (pardon the spelling , i'm not a doctor) hietal hernia, the flap which is suppposed to close between the esophogas & stomach, which can be hereditary. I now take a acid reducer for the reflux and had an operation, which took care of the sinus problem, as I had a deviated septum ,which cut the air flow down , during colds & sinus atacks to next to nothing ,causing a lot of infections. I am free of both those problems now. A CT scan will reveal if you need any nasal work.
Hope I didn't scare you.
good luck!
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Author: amyeliz
Date: 2006-08-10 02:52
i played for about a year while sick with infected and inflamed tonsils (have since had surgery to remove them) and except for slight pain, never found any problem with a gag reflex. it is more likely to be a stomache acid thing than a nasal problem, or a stomache acid problem being compounded by nasal drip (i am not a doctor and have no medical training but did practice several hours a day every day during that year that i did not have a fever). your throat should not change while playing, and it could concievably be caused by tightening of the muscles in your throat instead of leaving it open and relaxed while blowing through. also, some good advice that was given to me- if a doctor ever has doubts about the effects of playing a wind instrument on the throat, just describe it as being like blowing up a constant balloon.
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