Performing whilst on prescription medication...question?

Fassa Albrecht · #1 06-12-2008, 06:03 PM

Basically I'm on migraine medication, which is likely to be permanent as well. The only problem is that these tablets are really strong and make me incredibly woozy.

This wouldn't normally be an issue if I wasn't a musician, but with performances I've noticed I'm finding it more and more difficult to play. I find it difficult to read the sheet music because the meds make my eyesifght a bit dodgy, and the sedative effect of said tablets means my reaction time is slower and I make mistakes.

Anyone got any ideas as to what I can do to help myself?

sb69coupe · #2 06-12-2008, 07:15 PM

Whatever you do, try not to vomit on your bass.

How do I clean sick from my Shergold?

Bofee · #3 06-12-2008, 07:19 PM

Talk with your doc about other meds.

ducatiman · #4 06-12-2008, 09:27 PM

sounds like you're faced with one o' them major lifestyle decisions.......music *or* drugs.

in this day and age, there must be some alternative med that does affect you so profoundly. you should really consult your doctor, unless of course, you like the effect (better than music?) ooops, theres that choice thing again.

do you drive an auto on these meds?

good luck

nsmar4211 · #5 06-12-2008, 09:59 PM

There are other alternatives besides being on meds all the times. I feel your pain- I had killer headaches (felt like being stabbed behind the ear), went to a head doctor (*not* the psych kind)... he told me I had two options.
#1 take a medicine every day for pretty much ever or #2 Try a whole bunch of medicines... his theory is that if you can break the cycle of the headaches they won't come back for years if ever.
What my doctor did was to first send me to allergist/sinus doctor to clear up any of those problems. Complete blood check to make sure something wasn't out of whack. Errrrr I neglected to look at your profile, but as a woman he sent me to another Dr. to make sure hormone levels were not causing the issues
That was step one.
Step two was me keeping a journal of *every* headache I got to try and find the pattern-did I get them after work? After lunch? How severe? After being around smoky places? Etc.......trying to find the trigger. No pattern found so no causes like food allergy or stress were it.
Step three (and this was the not fun part) he started trying me on all sorts of different medicines. Most of them were doses of epilepsy anti seizure meds, on the theory that it was a brain misfire. Had some interesting reactions to a few of them (the incident with the tilted hallway and the fuzzy caterpillars comes to mind....) but after about a month, one worked. Stayed on it for 3 months, no more headaches......that was 7 years ago!

So, you need to find a doctor to help you find what triggers/causes the migranes before you dose yourself up the rest of your life..... cause always being dopey gets old fast. You can do some of this on your own, keep a journal. Write down where you were, what you were doing when the migrane signs started. I know loud noises would trigger mine sometimes.

Even now once in a great while I'll feel the familiar twinge of OMG its gonna strike... but no full blown attacks

.

This was the Dr. http://www.healthgrades.com/director...d=btn_physprof
Maybe you can get yours in touch with him

There are other choices besides staying drugged up or suffering....hopefully they find yours

**Stumbo** · #6 06-13-2008, 02:51 AM

You can also talk to the doc about timing your meds differently.
IME, you shouldn't be driving if you're feeling like that.
Maybe taking less meds more often might work.
Talk to your doc. If he/she won't work with you, I suggest looking for another one.

chuckjones93 · #7 06-13-2008, 03:14 AM

Well you certainly can't perform with a migrane, so not taking the meds is not an option. The way I see it is your only choice is to join a three chord rock band (no sheet music required) and wash the pills down with a Jack and Coke!

No one will notice.

your on meds.

lonote · #8 06-13-2008, 01:50 PM

[quote=ducatiman;5851500]sounds like you're faced with one o' them major lifestyle decisions.......music *or* drugs./QUOTE]

I think every musician since the dawn of recorded history has chosen drugs!

Just kidding.

Fassa Albrecht · #9 06-13-2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bofee

Talk with your doc about other meds.

Unfortunately I'd have an issue with this too simply because of this wooziness issue. If I took them morning time I wouldn't be able to function properly at university or at my societies and clubs, or even Christian Union band where I play occasionally on Fridays nights.

Luckily I don't drive but I'm often playing late at night and have to walk back home (when I need my wits about me).

I'm also asthmatic which makes a lot of other medication out of the question as it would interfere with my inhaler meds.

tZer · #10 06-13-2008, 04:36 PM

If this is a new med then you may adjust to it over time and it may not have the same 'woozy' effect after you adjust to it. But if it's only taken when you feel a migraine coming on, and it's the only thing you can take to stave it off, you may just have to learn how to play while under the influence.

I am on a prescription medication that has the opposite effect - it amps you up. When I was first getting used to it, it got in my way - I felt too jittery and out of sorts to feel OK about playing and it impacted what my ability to play a little. But over time my system adjusted to it and it's no longer an issue.

jollygiantchris · #11 06-13-2008, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckjones93

The way I see it is your only choice is to join a three chord rock band (no sheet music required) and wash the pills down with a Jack and Coke!

No one will notice.

your on meds.

They'd only notice once because you'd be dead!

(All the migraine meds I've taken you can't drink with)

The advice nsmar4211 posted is excellent and exactly what I was going to post but there are a couple things I would like to add.

I have permanent migraines as well but my condition is a bit more complicated than normal. Couple things about migraine meds, not sure when you started on them but, depending on what you are taking, most people do eventually get over/used to the side effects. So if you just started taking them give it a couple months to see if it goes away. You don't have to answer if you don't want to but are you on Topamax? Thats what I am on and it made me incredibly tired when I first started taking it and whenever they change the dose but after 3-4 weeks I feel normal.

Another thing about the headache journal, when you do get a headache write down everything you ate that day and write down the weather and the barometric pressure because some people's migraines are triggered by pressure drops. Also try not eating ham for a week or 2 because some people get migraines from food that is high in nitrates which ham is.

Fassa Albrecht · #12 06-13-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tZer

If this is a new med then you may adjust to it over time and it may not have the same 'woozy' effect after you adjust to it. But if it's only taken when you feel a migraine coming on, and it's the only thing you can take to stave it off, you may just have to learn how to play while under the influence.

I am on a prescription medication that has the opposite effect - it amps you up. When I was first getting used to it, it got in my way - I felt too jittery and out of sorts to feel OK about playing and it impacted what my ability to play a little. But over time my system adjusted to it and it's no longer an issue.

Saying that I've only been taking them for a week. Maybe it'll calm down....

nsmar4211 · #13 06-13-2008, 09:50 PM

Good point about the ham-*any* processed meat (spam, ham, hot dogs, balogna, vienna sausages, etc) or some wines or beef jerky or anything with nitrates in it can trigger headaches. Processed foods in general aren't so good for headaches....

Rathead123 · #14 06-16-2008, 03:36 AM

I take med's for headachs.. over time the side effects should lessen to the point you may get over the woosiness and all. I did. Hang in there the problems may be temporary..

Fassa Albrecht · #15 06-17-2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rathead123

I take med's for headachs.. over time the side effects should lessen to the point you may get over the woosiness and all. I did. Hang in there the problems may be temporary..

..and until then they'll have to install railings to stop me from falling off the stage!

J.D.B. · #16 06-17-2008, 07:18 PM

I, too, second the "discuss/try other meds". I went through a few to get something that mostly worked with very little side effect. I'm not on migraine stuff but you get the picture. I don't know where I'd be without music and hope never to have to make that choice. Feel better, man.
Josh

fenderhutz · #17 06-17-2008, 07:22 PM

All of these threads about ailments I am starting to think you are falling apart Miss Fassa, you can't be more than 25?

Edit: At 19 you shouldn't have wrist injuries, narcotics for migraines, and the wealth of other issues after checking your thread history.

jollygiantchris · #18 06-18-2008, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

All of these threads about ailments I am starting to think you are falling apart Miss Fassa, you can't be more than 25?

Edit: At 19 you shouldn't have wrist injuries, narcotics for migraines, and the wealth of other issues after checking your thread history.

She is describing the normal side effects of most migraine medications.

Munjibunga · #19 06-18-2008, 12:26 AM

I assume you're not drinking any alcohol at gigs.

Fassa Albrecht · #20 06-18-2008, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

All of these threads about ailments I am starting to think you are falling apart Miss Fassa, you can't be more than 25?

Edit: At 19 you shouldn't have wrist injuries, narcotics for migraines, and the wealth of other issues after checking your thread history.

The wrist injuries are from several years (I've used computers since I was 7) of heavy computer usage, sometimes up to 8 hours a day, added to several cycling injuries and also bad bass playing technique when I started playing.

The migraines are a hereditary thing from the female side of my family, and I'm not the first to be on meds for this reason.

I also suffer from asthma which again is a family problem. Can't escape my genes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

I assume you're not drinking any alcohol at gigs.

I'm a praise and worship musician, playing at church and also at university, so there's no alcohol involved barring after performances where I might go to the pub with church friends or when our Christian Union goes to the university bar after meetings.