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Cough & Performance Anxiety

Posted by AZ @equanimous, May 23, 2023

I am a professional musician. MAC and bronchiectasis is relatively new to me. I started the compression vest in December and have been nebulizing 2x per day as well as huff coughing. I have a performance at the end of the month and I am getting more and more anxious about it. Reason being, I am afraid of having a coughing fit during my performance. I had a gig this past weekend and, lo and behold, I started coughing in the middle of it. Luckily, it was at an assisted living with a small audience . As a singer (and bassist) I cannot afford for that to happen at my next performance as it will be at a big outdoor festival with a big audience. I am wrestling with the fact that my performance days may be numbered. I am keeping positive however. I am wondering if anyone has a suggestion of how to keep the cough at bay just for the hour I will be performing? I will not be able to vest or neb for hours prior to the performance. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

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AZ | @equanimous | May 25, 2023
In reply to @sbgscdjd "I too have had similar experiences..a series of deep coughs that both clear my lungs and..." + (show)
Profile picture for sbgscdjd @sbgscdjd

I too have had similar experiences..a series of deep coughs that both clear my lungs and make anyone near me (except my wife) take 10 steps away...particularly in the worst days of COVID. Anyway, when I'm in a similar situation..not musical..but giving a talk or even socializing..I take a puff or two of albuterol and sometimes use an OTC cough suppressant DELSYM, and sometimes I use Mucinex (extended)--not a cough suppressant but it seems to work. Also, I try to keep my throat "lubricated by sucking on sugar free Ricola. Obviously, we are all trying to find our way with malady. Good luck and thanks for your concert at the senior center --it's a real mitzvah!

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Thank you for your suggestions, sbgscdjd. I am waiting for delivery on Delsym and guaifenesin and hoping to receive them before my performance. I also bought a giant bag of sugar free Ricola at Costco recently. Great minds think alike! 🙂 It looks like I am not alone with this issue! And, yes, it is quite rewarding playing for the elders.

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Toni D. | @tcd518 | May 25, 2023
In reply to @scoop "Not a singer/performer but this is also a concern for me if I am talking a..." + (show)
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Not a singer/performer but this is also a concern for me if I am talking a in a crowd or have to speak up so people can hear me, it can bring on a cough. Frustrating. I've read that singing is very good for lung health so definitely keep at it if possible! Maybe use albuterol and an extra clearing before the event. Maybe even a puff of albuterol before performance? You might build it into your practice before the performance to see if it is helpful. Possibly avoid known mucus causing food for a day or so ahead? It'd be great to get a RT consult about this. Wishing you a cough-free performance and many years of performing ahead.

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Thanks, Scoop, for this list. Where did you find it? I'll keep it near my grocery list!

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scoop | @scoop | May 25, 2023
In reply to @tcd518 "Thanks, Scoop, for this list. Where did you find it? I'll keep it near my grocery..." + (show)
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Thanks, Scoop, for this list. Where did you find it? I'll keep it near my grocery list!

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@tcd518 Part of it may have been from a nutritionist, and the other copied from the web. I reference from time to time it but don't stick to it religiously. Impossible for me it would be to give up yogurt or chocolate, and those don't interfere too much I find. It's challenging when the low mucus foods intersect with the not-good-for-reflux foods!

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