Acid Reflux
I recently started trying to play the harmonica and also started feeling very nausious shortly afterwards but I didn't put the two togehter until I did a search to see if the harmonica could cause it. I have had GERD for years and it is under control and I can't remember feeling like this except the time I was not taking medication (at least 30 years ago). I play sax and clarinet in several bands and never had a problem. One post I found from a long time harp player suggested he had no problem for years until he started using throat vibrato ( I think he meant tremolo). Is this going to be a show stoper for me? It is very painful and mostly likely will do damage. I plan to consult a physician but maybe one of you have already done that.
Thanks for the suggestion. Did talk to my physician, who had switched me from a recalled drug to an over the counter medication 2 months ago and now I am thinking i aggraved a condition that was getting worse anyway. She also has GERD and the medication I am taking didn't work for her either but does for others.
I was going to try the harmonica again when the symptoms calmed down but they have gotten to a point of waking me up last night. That option is off the table for now.
This might not help at all but just in case it does.
Andrew zajac makes a comb that's thinner for people who have health issues causing them to have less breath. Maybe using less breath might help you ?
From Andrew's website :
How thick are these combs?
Regular thickness is 5.9 mm +/- 0.3 mm (quarter inch). How does that compare with other combs? The thickness of a stock Marine Band comb is just a hair over 5.7mm. Once flat-sanded, it's just a hair under 5.6mm.
I can make my combs extra-thin (5.2 mm) for increased response or for customers with a medical condition of the jaw resulting in reduced mouth opening. An additional charge is applied for non-standard thickness.
I no longer offer Extra-thick combs.
Andrew is a very nice person, I've talked to him on the phone so maybe give him a call or shoot him an email. The combs aren't exactly cheap but I can at least vouch that they are VERY excellent quality.
A link to andrew's website : http://harp.andrewzajac.ca/Combs
Hope this gets better for you
p.s: a thinner comb might mess with your screws when installing your reed plate so consider this before taking everything apart. you might need new screws.
Changed my medication and it seems to help so I continued on with my learning. Don't think the blowing aggravated my issues as I play clarinet and sax daily. The problem was trying to draw, which I am not ussed to doing. The pain is gone now so I am happy.
Half of your life is spent inhaling.
If you approach playing the harmonica as simply breathing, then playing draw notes is just part of the natural cycle.
Of course, to play most music you need to inhale in a coordinated way that goes beyong the tidal in-out flow of breathing.
But the actual motion of iar can be every bit as gentle as it is when you simply breathe.
Trying to breathe forcefully is sometimes needed in expressing music through the harmonica, but it's not a requirement most of the time.
Calming your breathing as you play might be helpful in dealing with your medical condition as you also play the harmonica.
I also have GERD and take medicine for it which controls it well. I haven't noticed practicing to cause any affect on me but I'm wondering if you have tried taking a Rolaid shortly before practice to see if that might help? Anyway, it's just a suggestion I thought I'd share.