To: Vocalist <vocalist>
From: Naomi Gurt Lind
Subject: MED: Entex
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

I've been prescribed Entex to help clear a cold I've had for the past two
weeks. The prescription was made over the phone on the basis of a
description of my symptoms and a Q&A ("fever? headache?" etc...) with the
nurse. Although I am confident that what I have is a cold and not flu, I
am uncomfortable about this mode of treatment (would have preferred to be
seen but the doc is all booked up) and am hoping you all can tell me if
there's anything I need to know about this drug, specifically how it might
affect me as a singer. I tried to question the nurse about what the drug
would do for me and she said it would decongest & help me feel better.
(Informative, huh?)

BTW she also wanted to prescribe a cough syrup with codeine, which I nixed.
I asked why the codeine and she said it would help me sleep. I said I
wasn't having trouble sleeping and it seemed to me that codeine was not to
be taken lightly. (It's a narcotic, right?) I personally do not believe
that stronger medicine is necessarily better medicine. Did I make the
right choice? I am coughing some (which I'm sure is irritating my throat)
but it is not keeping me up at night. I would think a regular
over-the-counter cough suppressant would be enough to soothe my throat &
decrease the coughing. (But then again, doesn't coughing serve a purpose?
Does suppressing the cough help or just prolong the drainage of the cold?)

Whew, that's a lot of complaint and question! The main thing I want to
know is what to expect with the Entex -- any singer-specific caveats?

Thanks very much!
Naomi Gurt Lind
(wishing right now she lived closer to our great Dr. Messmer or Dr.
Schweinfurth!)