To: "VOCALIST" <vocalist>
Subject: Re: MED: Entex
Date sent: Mon, 10 Jan 2000 19:38:24 -0500
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

>Naomi Gurt Lind wrote:
>>
>> 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,


Naomi,

I have had experiences with Entex. The most active ingredient is Guaifinesin
(Regular Robitussin) and an anti-histemine that behaves like Sudafed. The
combination is in rather high dosages and require a lot of water to work.
If you do not drink a great deal of water, the active agents will access
water from your body and you will dry out. In such a case, the mucosa
membrane does becomes somewhat rigid and singing is not very pleasant.
Recommended dosages are usually non-specific to the individual. I find it
unpredictable at best.

I had an important singing engagement recently and came down with viral
bronchitis 24 hours before. A replacement could not be found, so I had to
sing. I was prescribed Entex and I rejected it because of past experience.
I have a student who is an RN and who works closely with ENT's. She
suggested regular dosages of Sudafed, Guaifenesin and Ibuprofen. I found
that I had a better sense of the effects of the over-the -counter drugs than
I ever did with Entex. Along with bed rest, no singing for 48 hours before
(which I religiously observe before a performance), lots of water and
healthy eating, I progressed from "no voice at all" the day before to my
complete workable range the time of the performance. The Sudafed reduced
mucous production, the Guafenisin thinned out the mucous that was being
produced and the Ibuprofen reduced swelling. One of the best performances
I've sung.

I will follow my success story by underlying that had I the choice, I would
not have sung on that day. Those drugs dealt with some specific symptoms,
and I decided to take a risk. I have heard stories about ibuprofen thinning
out the blood vessels. This has been "rumored" to cause rupture of small
blood vessels on the vocal cords. Any of these drugs taken without care
could be potentially damaging. It is best not to sing when one is ill, but
the realities of the real world sometimes dictate otherwise. I should
practice what I preach. Then again, presenting the entire perspective may
be more helpful.

Cheers,

JRL.