Any remedies?

[Suzanne]

I've got a gig on Thursday night,another on Saturday, two next week and another the week after but I've got the flu and I can't get rid of it! I've been on heavy antibiotics for over a week but they don't help, all they do do is drain my energy. My throat is constantly sore and after 10 songs my voice is finished...what am I gunna do?Anybody got a very effective cure for a stubborn cold??

[jeaniesing]

Suzanne - the best remedy is time, but you can hurry time a good bit by taking in about double your usual amounts of fluids..... I suggest water (since it won't mess your body up too much)...

On the market in the US there are also "zinc losenges".... they have a very effective purpose that may or may not help you right at this point. The losenges constrict the tissue of your nose/throat area and keep the rhino-virus from 'getting a good foothold' taken early they prevent a cold from getting worse, taken late they - less effectively - speed healing time. A warning - they are NOT good to take 4 hours before you sing (Take nothing but Ibuprofen/tylenol if at all possible). Taking this or other medications before you sing can cause damage to your instrument because you WON'T feel the pain that is your body saying STOP!

Beyond that my recipe for "special tea" will make you feel better right now:
hot tea
honey & sugar to taste
mulling spices to taste
whiskey to taste

You'll feel special in no time (and it promotes sleep!!!)

[lostdave]

Ummm.....

I find that a salt water gargle followed by an asprin gargle helps...
asprin is an anti-inflamitry....but like Jeanie sez.....When it hurts...you gotta stop...

<<--------Mr "Nodules" guy knows.....I had to take a year off singing due to vocal damage...pushed a little too hard......Learn from the mistakes of others.

Dave