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Playing while sick

#42
Play the gig! Bust yer a$$, build up a sweat and sweat that garbage out!
I worked for me! Was feeling like someone had beaten me with a flue stick. Got to the gig, did a slow set up dance and at down beat, forgot I was sick. Built up a bit of a lather and by the end of the night, I was feeling much better!
Sweat that sucker out!
Fishheadjoe
 
#43
sacahill42 said:
Ever since a packet of "Thera-flu" got me to the top of a 12,000ft peak after a miserable night in a tent, it has been my go-to fix for powering through work when not feeling well.
Good luck!
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Yeah... I agree. That stuff worked pretty well for me also. But nowadays, if I'm feeling crappy, I say poo-poo to the gig. Fortunately, it's not my primary source of income... purely supplemental.
 
#45
JGbassman said:
Tough it out and do the gig. Act like nothings wrong, don’t sit on a stool or other “poor me” props of that nature. Take the cold meds in enough time for them to work, smile and do your job.

That’s how a pro would handle it. If you don’t have to sing much then it will be easy.

I’ve played four days after a vasectomy, five days after a major operation on my arm (GF had to help me get the bass on and off after the sets and help me with the arm sling) and I’ve played with strep throat, pneumonia, and a 102 fever a few times. diarrhea and actively throwing up are the only two things that will keep me off the stage.

It’s mostly mind over matter, and you can push through a lot more with a strong mental outlook. If you do a great job when sick, that will be a big asset to local playing. They know they can count on you.

You will have a great gig if you go in with that mental outlook.
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Yeah, and then your other bandmates will have to play sick the next weekend. LOL.
 
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#49
pbass2 said:
I've gotten REALLY sick before from a guy in an opening band--we ended up with the same mic for BU vox. I'll never forget after about 5 tunes into my set, him saying to me from the wings--"dude, I'm really sick, stay off the mic:)". As if it was funny.
I got a flu that nearly put me in the hospital from that fool. I was down for 3 weeks. I lost a bunch of income. You say you have a fever? Just sayin'. It's not about how YOU can get through it. It's about not spreading it around.
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+1

The show must go on, but nobody is indispensable.
 
#51
Axtman said:
I have a gig on tomorrow that I have to play. I am already subbing for another bassist who hurt his shoulder. The BL cannot find a sub for me.

I was feeling sick yesterday and today. What advice do you have to get through the gig tomorrow? Thanks.
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Drink a LOT of fluids and OJ in particular. Rest for as long as you have a fever, otherwise I think resuming normal activities is pretty helpful. Unless you are really sick with the flu or a gastro illness, 75% of your misery or more is mind made. Normal activity helps to get your mind moving and on to other things, you tend to (or I do anyhow) feel better faster the less you’re just sitting around thinking about being sick.
 
#54
i used to just tough it out. usually once i was playing, i didn't notice how crappy i felt until we were done. if you have weak, shaky muscles, sitting down is a plus. agree with everyone on plenty of rest and hydration. personally i get much weaker colds and recover faster when i take beta carotene as a capsule or just by eating tons of spinach.

btw, don't drink with cold medicines if there's a warning on the label - sometimes cold meds or pain meds can heighten the effect of the booze, other times it can damage your liver.
 
#55
Kipp Harrington said:
Yeah, and then your other bandmates will have to play sick the next weekend. LOL.
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The easiest way to combat that is to use your own mics and don’t sing on anyone else’s or let them sing on yours. I also carry a can of Lysol and would spray down my mic before it was used. Additionally, wash your hands a lot and that will solve most of the winter colds. Last year a large majority of musicians contracted the flu, where we tracked it down to a benefit for a local musician and we all used the same mics. Since then I’ve only used my mics and Lysol everything I can. I haven’t been sick since, and we had a huge flu epidemic sweep through my work. Little things will keep you healthy.
 
#56
JGbassman said:
The easiest way to combat that is to use your own mics and don’t sing on anyone else’s or let them sing on yours. I also carry a can of Lysol and would spray down my mic before it was used. Additionally, wash your hands a lot and that will solve most of the winter colds. Last year a large majority of musicians contracted the flu, where we tracked it down to a benefit for a local musician and we all used the same mics. Since then I’ve only used my mics and Lysol everything I can. I haven’t been sick since, and we had a huge flu epidemic sweep through my work. Little things will keep you healthy.
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Sounds like you covered your bases.
 
#58
To break a fever overnight, I use a remedy thought me by an old South African fighter pilot ...

get something with quinine in it, like real ginger ale or tonic water, add a shot of whiskey or other brown liquor ...I've used cognac before, add some lemon and honey, then nuke it and drink it down like hot tea, before bedtime. Your fever will break overnight. Works for me everytime and has worked for others who have tried it.
 

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