 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Lanie
Date: 2014-06-21 07:45
I know that many of you on here are studio and private lesson teachers. I was wondering, if one of your students suffered from chronic migraines, would you prefer they told you? I do not know if my migraines are a need to know thing or if they are completely unimportant. I do get headaches almost everyday, but I can usually go about my normal business for the most part. They have been getting a lot worse though and I am getting migraines more frequently, so I'm not sure how I should go about all of this.
I know this isn't exactly a clarinet subject. Sorry about that. I'll be a freshman in college by the way. I'm majoring in music ed.
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Author: marcia
Date: 2014-06-21 09:28
I would strongly suggest you take this problem to a doctor. And soon.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-06-21 13:13
I strongly second the opinion to have a doctor evaluate that immediately.
The issue with clarinet would be interesting to both the teacher and the doctor if clarinet playing affected the migraine directly......made it worse when you play.
............Paul Aviles
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Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2014-06-21 18:48
If the migraines are getting more frequent now that you are in college and perhaps playing more, both doctor and teacher should know. If you have other headaches basically every day, especially if they occur after playing, doctor and teacher should know as well. This isn't a place to discuss private medical matters, but as the mom of a teenager who gets migraines that keep him out of school I would say you need not and really should not "tough it out".
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Author: Bruno
Date: 2014-06-21 22:30
1. How do you know they are migraines?
2. What part of your head, neck are they in?
3. Are they related to eating certain foods or beverages?
4. Time of day?
5. Are they related in any way to playing your clarinet?
6. Have you been to see a GP, or internist or neurologist?
7. If not, why not for Heaven's sake?
Bruno>
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2014-06-21 23:59
what do your parents say about this condition?
richard smith
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Author: kdk
Date: 2014-06-22 00:30
While I certainly agree with all of the advice about getting these headaches evaluated by competent medical people and sharing the information about them with Lanie's parents, she doesn't say she hasn't done those things. She's asking about the importance of her clarinet teacher's knowing about them.
Assuming you've had these headaches medically evaluated and they have been competently diagnosed as migraines, I would say that as a private teacher I wouldn't be especially interested unless you begin to have them during lessons. Then, I'd want to know (a) that they are really medically diagnosed migraines, (b) what you need to do if one begins during a lesson and (c) what I can do to help.
To say I wouldn't be especially interested doesn't mean that I don't want to know on a personal level - it certainly doesn't need to be kept a secret. But if it isn't something I need to deal with actively, I wouldn't consider it of real importance for you to announce the problem at the first lesson. If the headaches came up in normal conversation, that would be fine.
Karl
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Author: Lanie
Date: 2014-06-22 00:30
Bruno:
1. My mom also has/had migraines and they're genetic. They were worse when she was younger.
2. My neck gets really stiff/sore. The back of my head right above my neck and just one side if my head. Usually te left side, but my right side has hurt before. I get nauseous also.
3.i have a few triggers, I haven't figured out everything
4t. There isn't a specific time of day they happen
5. Not sure, but I hope not. I usually practice late at night and it's the summer, so I have nothing else going on right now with clarinet except lessons. Playing can make my headaches worse. When I have a migraine I don't play. Normal headaches I can usually tough out.
6. Going very soon.
7. Thought I would outgrow them
Richard:
They are supportive and help me. My dad's come and picked me up from band rehearsals many times because of my migraines. They're taking me to the doctor to get a prescription in a few weeks.
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2014-06-22 05:33
I wish you much luck. You have a deep love for music and want to pursue a career in music education, and I respect that. I graduated from high school over 40 years ago, but went the same route.
I did a little research and read that loud music can bring on migraines, but since I'm not trained in the field, that's a topic to discuss with your physician. When you're in college, you'll be playing in various ensembles (possibly including marching band), and these aren't quiet settings.
You should also keep in mind that music education can be a very loud occupation. Most public schools aren't quiet places. I don't get migraines, but there were days when I was a band director that I'd come home with tension headaches. There were also headaches after sitting through long-winded staff meetings, but that's a topic for another time.
You mentioned that your dad picked you up from band rehearsals many times because of your migraines. You also said that playing can make your headaches worse. If you use a softer reed, does that make a difference?
Perhaps you should consider another college major, although I really hate to say this since you want to major in music. Before you make any final decisions, all of these points should be discussed with your doctor. If your doctor has experience as a wind musician, I think that would be very beneficial.
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Author: sdr
Date: 2014-06-22 05:59
Asking a bunch of clarinetists about clarinet lessons makes sense. Taking medical advice from a bunch of clarinetists....not so much. I wouldn't ask your doctor which reeds to use either.
-sdr (MD)
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Author: Bret Pimentel
Date: 2014-06-22 06:07
College clarinet (etc.) professor here.
If you are able to go about your daily activities normally most of the time, then I don't see why there should be any specific need to tell your teacher unless you wish to. If you are sometimes incapacitated, you will need to be aware of your teacher's policy on lesson absences/rescheduling due to illness. Personally, I'm happy to reschedule students whenever possible if they are sick if they give me at least a little advance notice.
However: if you expect the migraines to require some kind of ongoing special accommodations (being excused from lessons on a regular basis, being excused from fulfilling normal practice or performance requirements, etc.) then you will probably need to check in with the office on your school's campus that handles "special needs" students (most often physical disabilities or learning disabilities). I am not permitted to alter course requirements for individual students unless I am instructed to do so by my university's "Counseling and Testing" office.
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Author: Lanie
Date: 2014-06-22 06:17
I'm a straight A student and I have never left school because of my headaches. I have left afterschool stuff or skipped it completely. Not asking for medical advice, just wanting to know if she needs to know. Medically, I am doing everything I need to be doing at this point in my life. I am only wondering because I never know when I'm going to get one and they're happening more frequently.
I really appreciate everyone helping me. I am thankful for all of the advice you have given me.
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Author: Bruno
Date: 2014-06-22 06:23
Quote:
Bruno:
1. My mom also has/had migraines and they're genetic. They were worse when she was younger.
2. My neck gets really stiff/sore. The back of my head right above my neck and just one side if my head. Usually te left side, but my right side has hurt before. I get nauseous also.
3.i have a few triggers, I haven't figured out everything
4t. There isn't a specific time of day they happen
5. Not sure, but I hope not. I usually practice late at night and it's the summer, so I have nothing else going on right now with clarinet except lessons. Playing can make my headaches worse. When I have a migraine I don't play. Normal headaches I can usually tough out.
6. Going very soon.
7. Thought I would outgrow them
Lanie, they sound to me like they might be tyramine-triggered migraines. ("might be" - migraine has many causes). Especially the location. That's why I asked those questions.
Tyramine is an amino acid found in cheeses, red wines and other foods. perfectly harmless for most of us, and nutritious, but it does trigger a specific type of migraine in susceptible folks; often causes terrible stiff neck on one side, radiating up into the head and often accompanied by nausea.
In fact an Australian researcher discovered the link and called them "wine migraines".
Not to say you drink wine, but you might want to Google "foods containing tyramine" or some such to see if any of them are in your diet.
Good luck. I'm sure you will get to the bottom of it.
Bruno, (MD)
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Author: eac
Date: 2014-06-22 13:48
Not to be indelicate but PMS might be also contributing to your migraines.
http://www.headaches.org/education/Headache_Topic_Sheets/Menstrual_Migraine
Liz (MD)
Liz Leckey
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Author: sdr
Date: 2014-06-22 17:51
Well, well... Who knew there were so many docs who are closet clarinetists. Or vice versa.
Online medical consultations are an exploding niche in the healthcare marketplace. Very controversial even under the best of circumstances. I am a player in this game and a strong advocate for the democratization and expanded accessibility of healthcare, but I must say, "Caveat emptor," to anyone seeking medical advice from a doctor they have never seen for a detailed history and physical exam. I also hope everyone will think twice (or three times) before posting their personal medical information to a public forum.
-sdr (MD)
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Author: Bruno
Date: 2014-06-22 19:29
I don't think anybody here is doing that. Patients are not well served by ignorance. The idea of Medicine as an ivory tower is long gone. Posters on this thread are each trying to help Lanie in their own way because she asked. I don't think that she will mistake our suggestions about diagnostic possibilities and almost every poster's advice to seek competent medical treatment as a substitute for professional medical care.
B> (MD or not - who cares?)
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Author: duder
Date: 2014-06-24 03:15
Medicine may be viewed as a Tower of sorts but I think the previous poster (sdr) was alluding to the quackery that has spawned since the rise of the net. I think if someone is having continuous headaches they need to see a dr and find the cause of them and rule out anything sinister. One cant reason away a medical condition if one is present. It may be an allergy to food or chemicals, it may be hereditary but to not seek medical investigation is perhaps ill informed. Of course it could be that her crystals are not aligned properly.
N
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