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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > NEED ADVICE -- playing gig with head cold?
NEED ADVICE -- playing gig with head cold?
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cliffy
236 posts
Dec 13, 2016
12:57 AM
Hello everybody,

I have an important gig this Friday -- one booked months in advance, at a place that has lots of great bands -- but I have come down with an awful head cold (thanks, inconsiderate sick co-worker). Rescheduling the gig is not possible, and I need to be at or close to my best for this or we are not going to get another shot at playing this venue.

How am I going to be able to play and sing when I am a stuffed-up, sniffling mess? It seems like I am better during the day and worse at night, which is frustrating because we're playing from 8 to about 12. Even more than playing harp I am worried about singing. I figure with the harmonica I could go kind of minimalist, big, toneful notes but no flashy stuff, and it would still sound okay, up singing is a whole other problem.

Claritin-D 12 hour is helping unclog me a little, but not enough. Do any of you have any tips or advice that might help? I was thinking maybe nasal spray like Afrin might help, but I have heard that they are awful for you in the long run. But maybe they would be okay for one gig? Or maybe Vicks Vapo-rub?

Who knows about this stuff? Help! Thanks in advance for any advice you can give...

Cliffy (Bill Lifford)
SuperBee
4347 posts
Dec 13, 2016
1:57 AM
Pseudo ephedrine is the answer for many of these problems

Or, just suck it up (thought it, couldn't stop it coming out)
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Thievin' Heathen
893 posts
Dec 13, 2016
4:46 AM
There is such a thing as over-medicating and it is easy to get there with cold medicine. Take a couple of days off from work(harmonica is priority #1), rest and drink lots of fluids. Take some of those medicines that are supposed to shorten colds (I forget the name??(Wellborn)). They are vitamin C and zinc. If it has become a sinus infection, get antibiotics today and you will be much better by Friday. Good luck.

No advice on playing sick. Hope it does not become a plugged up ear. I was surprised how much that affected my playing. It was just color by numbers and I could tell more reading the faces of the other musicians than I could from what I was hearing.

Last Edited by Thievin' Heathen on Dec 13, 2016 4:47 AM
kudzurunner
6114 posts
Dec 13, 2016
4:52 AM
I would take whatever cold medication will reduce the symptoms. I'd also take a cup of coffee just before the gig. Then get some lemon slices on chew on them to cut the phlegm from your throat. Then you DEFINITELY need a drink or two, to forget your worries. You'll make it.
NiteCrawler .
339 posts
Dec 13, 2016
5:06 AM
Hey Cliffy,I,ve had that situation going on in the past and would,nt reccomend the Clariton before a gig when playing harp.We were opening for Johnny Copeland in the 90,s and took a similar med. and it dried my mouth out really bad.When I would solo I had no saliva making for a tough situation,fortunately my old friend Big Nancy noticed and kept a beer or two handy for me to get me through the set.The nose drops are an option and for singing have some halls honey lemon drops prior to gigging and while gigging you may want to try having a lemon honey tea handy to keep your throat lubricated.Good Luck and i hope it works out for you.BTW If you see Drew D give him my regards.
6SN7
680 posts
Dec 13, 2016
5:56 AM
Tea with lemon and honey are good and open up the sinuses. I suffer from allergies, so I get similar symptoms, using a saline solution in your sinuses prior to the gig always helps. I'm not so crazy about the pills or cocktails as a help, not even when I'm in tip top shape.
cliffy
237 posts
Dec 13, 2016
8:21 AM
Thank you so much to all of you for your suggestions! I was up in the middle of the night feeling crummy and I was really getting worried about the case.

Nitecrawler, do we know each other? How do you know Drew? Drew actually plays second guitar in my band, "Harmonica Bill and Marked Deck". I love Drew, he is just crazy about this music. He brings a great vibe to the band and he's so happy to play. I will tell him hello!
1847
3888 posts
Dec 13, 2016
8:30 AM
my advice is to stay home, hire a sub. its not that important of a gig. your health is what is important.

here are your own words "thanks, inconsiderate sick co-worker"

so now who will be the inconsiderate co-worker?

Last Edited by 1847 on Dec 13, 2016 8:30 AM
1847
3889 posts
Dec 13, 2016
8:42 AM
If it has become a sinus infection, get antibiotics today and you will be much better by Friday.

ok i am not a doctor however....

if you have a virus, antibiotics will not work.
they are strictly for a bacterial infection.

which you are in risk of getting with a weaken immune system.
and now it will be resistant to the antibiotics you have been taking for a cold.

super bug would be a great name for a blues band.
tomaxe
79 posts
Dec 13, 2016
8:49 AM
Yes, stay away from your other band members as much as possible. If it's not your microphone you are signing into, wipe it off with isopropyl alcohol between sets.
This has happened to me. I took over the counter meds days before, then went the massive hydration route, no decongestants well before the show—they tend dry up my nose (good) but also my mouth (bad). Drink lots of water, have lemon and water (hot or cold) for the gig. Aspirin works for a headache. Bring kleenex and blow discreetly, if you need to, on stage!
Take a shot of whiskey or two before show to relax, it's a placebo but works. Adrenalin is an amazing cure-all.
Keep in mind that if ears are clogged you may have to rely on muscle memory as you play/sing because its amazing how your intonation can be off...you knowthe way your voice can sound weird with a cold? Same thing happens to your note bending. Yes, keep things simple. Sounds bizarre but it happens. Same thing when singing. Dramatic presentation in your vocal wheelhouse...don't try anything nuts. Good luck!
JSalow
1 post
Dec 13, 2016
10:04 AM
Afrin or Rhinocort nasal spray. It is amazing and will clear your nose right up. Just don't continue to use it long term (more than 3 days) or you can get rebound stuffiness.
cliffy
238 posts
Dec 13, 2016
10:09 AM
1847, you are 100% correct that I should cancel, but just because you are right doesn't mean I am going to do that! :) I figure I'll be out of my "contagious window" of five to seven days. I know it's not a sinus infection because I get those periodically and they always manifest (in me) as a ring of searing pain around my eye. I wish it was, because then antibiotics would kick its butt quickly.

I'm going to bring my own vocal mic, which will not be shared, and my harp mic is off-limits to others -- this is our first gig at this place, so I wouldn't have any guests up to jam (until I know the place better). So I'm trying to be less inconsiderate than my co-worker, and hopefully succeeding!
dougharps
1317 posts
Dec 13, 2016
1:02 PM
I have chronic issues of sinus congestion. I find that if I take one 30mg pseudo-ephedrine an hour before the show and a second an hour or two into the show, it has worked well for me to get me through gigs when I am stopped up. It is a mild stimulant, too. If you have heart/blood pressure issues, you should probably not use it without a doctor approving. The 12 hour time release version is uneven and makes me very hyper and gives me a dry mouth, so I don't use it, I use the 30mg tablets as noted above.

It will not help cure your cold. It will help you get by playing a gig for a few hours. I have had no problems with dry mouth with this approach.

I would not recommend using it on an ongoing basis, just as needed for gigs. Also, you will have to sign for this drug, because this effective over the counter decongestant drug that I have used intermittently for over 50 years is also used inappropriately by drug makers to illegally manufacture methamphetamine. It is regulated in most states.
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Doug S.

Last Edited by dougharps on Dec 13, 2016 1:05 PM
BronzeWailer
1938 posts
Dec 13, 2016
1:31 PM
Cliffy, I used to get bad sinus infections 2-3x a year. I would hold off going to the doc until I couldn't stand it to avoid taking too many antibiotics. I don't go for alternative treatments in general, but one GP told me that she took garlic and horseradish pills for her sinus. I did likewise, and haven't had problems here for the last decade or so.

BronzeWailer's YouTube
cliffy
239 posts
Dec 13, 2016
4:13 PM
I have chronic sinus problems too. I've often thought of going to an ENT to see if sinus surgery might be helpful, but I'm kind of scared of that. So I'm pretty familiar with pseudo-ephedrine. I usually take the Claritin-D 12 hour, but I'm going to check out the 30 mg one. I haven't had issues with feeling hyper or jumpy or with dry mouth like many on the forum have reported, but I'm kind of chubby so maybe if I was 50 pounds lighter it would make me jittery.

The garlic and horseradish sound really interesting. It feels like my problem is actually more inflammation inside my head than congestion. I'm going to go to the doctor and I will keep the list posted.
Barley Nectar
1278 posts
Dec 13, 2016
5:41 PM
wahh, Wahh, WAHHhhhh! Just do the freekin gig, you'll be fine....

Last Edited by Barley Nectar on Dec 13, 2016 5:43 PM
shakeylee
599 posts
Dec 13, 2016
6:55 PM
+1 for pseudophed,of course with proper caution of heart problems,etc,
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jbone
2223 posts
Dec 13, 2016
8:34 PM
In the states we have Theraflu, a powder you mix with hot water. All the usual good stuff. Has worked for me provided I got rest before and after the gig.

The show can go on if you take care starting now.

Break a leg!
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robbert
416 posts
Dec 13, 2016
8:57 PM
Having performed totally sick with colds, flu, etc. many times, do all the usual stuff, but usually it's the playing that helps the most. However, I'm not the singer. I feel for ya, it's not fun going in sick, but I'm sure you'll be fine. The show must go on!
JInx
1270 posts
Dec 13, 2016
10:38 PM
Set up close to the front of the stage so your aspirations sprinkle out and into the eyes of your audience. Punk rock!
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Frank101
202 posts
Dec 13, 2016
11:02 PM
Be there. Do the best you can. Avoid spreading germs.

Singing with a bad cold ... well, maybe everybody will be all "Hey, he reminds me of Tom Waits!" ...
NiteCrawler .
340 posts
Dec 14, 2016
5:08 AM
@ Cliffy,I met Drew yrs back at a few of the B.Avon Blues Warehouse bashes here in Jersey.(I,m sure he has mentioned them to you)We actually played a couple of tunes together on the Kim Wilson show.Drew is a blues hound from way back and a great guy.Again,All The Best with your gig,I,m sure you,ll kill it.
cliffy
240 posts
Dec 14, 2016
7:56 PM
BarleyNectar, I do deserve to have the WAH-mbulance called on me. absolutely. I'm being a Panicky Pete about it.

NiteCrawler: Drew has told me all about those legendary shows! I love playing with him.
cliffy
241 posts
Dec 14, 2016
8:06 PM
UPDATE: So I went to an urgent care center and explained my dilemma; that I need to be vocally functional by Friday. By then my throat had tightened up and I could barely speak. The physician said, yeah, I've dealt with people in bands before, this will get you able to perform.

She gave me a steroid dose mixed with some Gatorade and then prescribed a four-day course of a steroid (prednisone) and FloNase. She told me to continue taking the Claritin-D as needed and I could take ibuprofen. She also told me to rest my voice as much as possible until the gig, along with the hot water and lemon, or hot tea with lemon, no dairy, etc.

I've only taken one dose of the prednisone so far after the initial dose, but so far I think this might really be helping. I feel much better and some of the inflammation seems to be subsiding. I'll keep this thread updated as things develop. Maybe one day this thread will help another sick harpman.
Chris L
155 posts
Dec 14, 2016
8:28 PM
Rest
5000mg of vitamin C per day
Toss in American Ginseng and/or Oil of Oregano and/or Echinacea just in case they work.
Night of gig: one more vote for Pseudo Ephedrine with one proviso-watch the alcohol because the Pseudo- Ephedrine and Alcohol interact in a pleasant, but disinhibiting way,i.e. you may find yourself a bit more excited and less focussed per drink than you usually would be.
Of course if you are used to performing on Cocaine or Meth I suppose you won't notice a thing....

PS. You got Prednizone for a cold! Way to feel better! Now that is a doctor!

Last Edited by Chris L on Dec 14, 2016 8:31 PM
JustFuya
1012 posts
Dec 15, 2016
8:57 AM
Prednisone for a cold? Veterinarians prescribe it for canine lymphoma to reduce swelling. Powerful stuff. I'm curious if you experienced panting along with insatiable hunger and thirst.


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