Ken,
The Humibid will definitely help to thin secretions, and your vocal folds will thank you for it. I recognize your concern about being on too many drugs, but this one is by far the most benign of the ones you are on. It has virtually no side effects with the exception that, if you don't drink enough water with it, it will have the opposite result of what you're looking for, and it will dry you out.
The reason, as my ENT explained it to me, is that it works rather like a pump, and keeps pulling the water through your system. This is great as long as you keep the water coming, and it will help to keep some of that water in your mucous membranes instead of letting it all flush out immediately. However, if you don't keep filling the system with water, the Humibid will still keep doing its job, and you will end up feeling dehydrated.
If I may make a couple of other suggestions, you may find that a nasal spray such as Pretz, or another one with glycerine, will help to keep your nasal passages moisturized better than a plain saline spray. The glycerine will help to keep the moisture from evaporating away as quickly, and it will also soothe the tissues, something you likely need if you are dry enough to use the spray.
Finally, you may find Ponaris Nasal Emollient to be helpful. It contains various oils like menthol, pine, etc., and in addition to being very soothing, I swear that it has helped to prevent me from getting sick with respiratory problems in the winter, although I cannot prove that scientifically. It comes with a dropper, but if you use that it will just run down your throat; I find that a better way to use it is to apply it to your nasal passages with Q-tips.
Both the Pretz and the Ponaris are over-the-counter products.
Glad you're feeling better.
Robin Lynne Frye Mezzo-Soprano Voice and Piano Teacher New York, New York
> I wanted to thank all of you for the help with deciding on an allergy drug. > I since been put on Allergra-D & Nasacort. I have also been using a saline > nasal spray to combat the dryness. Since taking these drugs I am finding my > singing so much easier. All I do now is gently lean into my support, & the > voice just goes. Before I had to really push to get the sound out because of > the stuffiness. So I thank you all for this. What a relief. > > Now, I still have a bit of a thick mucous problem. Would taking the Humabid > help this? Will that be too many drugs for 1 person to be on? > > Best, > Ken Ealy > countertenor > > > > >
|
| |