Swollen Lips
Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2017 5:10 pm
I have been experiencing a very disturbing chops disorder for the past year and a half, possibly even longer.
Two weeks ago seemingly out of nowhere the upper right portion of my lip had swollen to about 3X's its normal size.Over the next 2 hours the left side of my upper lip joined in. This lasted for 24 hours plus, then the swelling receded. It was 2-3 hrs after a rehearsal. It wasn't a grueling rehearsal . I played well, no difficulties. I wasn't fighting or compensating for any chop issue. This also happened 2X's within a week of each other a year ago. The swelling is abnormal in the rate that it comes on. Its not typical of abusive playing. Its like someone inserted a grape under the skin of my lip .My lips become solid and I can not vibrate them whatsoever. Its starts as an itching sensation then I can feel the lip swell. It takes about 20-30 mins for the swelling to complete after I get that itching sensation.
When the swelling subsides . It feels sore. When I am able to practice , I find I have lost flexibility, range,Tone, the ability to switch easily on my doubles.I am primarily a Bass Trombonist and double on Tenor, Contrabass and Tuba. THis time it only took a couple of days to regain what I had lost.
Last year when it happened. I lost almost everything and had to start from scratch.At that time I started playing again after the first ATTACK. It came back after the first practice session. I quit for a week. I started playing again and it came back. I quit for another few days until I felt I was able to take it up again.
So, Is it an allergic reaction? Stress? Dental Issue?Too much Playing , switching/ doubling?
Nothing I have tried helps the issue. Benadryl, Ibuprofen,Vibrating Massagers, DOmeBoro(astringent dressing) Preparation H(Used by Ringling Bros Circus players for abusive 9hr a day weekend show schedule)and any and all creams, ointments, gels etc......
It should also be mentioned that a year ago I had broken a 9 month sobriety . I related the chop issues then with the stress from drying out after a few days of hard drinking. A week later when it happened again after quitting drinking for a week was an experiment. It happened again when I quit drinking. This time a year later I was not drinking. So I was surprised when it came back. For all who drink, ENJOY. THis is not a lecture on the Evils of drinking. After 40 years of drinking, the last 10years of on and off again quitting, I realize that there is nothing good left for me in Alcohol .
SO.......Where does that leave me? The past 3 years I have also been afflicted with a spine/ nerve disorder known as Sciatica. Alcohol destroys the Nervous system. I have suffered from peripheral nerve disorders in the past that have vanished with the cessation of my Alcohol use/abuse. Can either/both be related to my now CHOPS issue ? Can It be related to the High BLood Pressure Meds I am on? Any insight would be helpful.
Thanks, John
Two weeks ago seemingly out of nowhere the upper right portion of my lip had swollen to about 3X's its normal size.Over the next 2 hours the left side of my upper lip joined in. This lasted for 24 hours plus, then the swelling receded. It was 2-3 hrs after a rehearsal. It wasn't a grueling rehearsal . I played well, no difficulties. I wasn't fighting or compensating for any chop issue. This also happened 2X's within a week of each other a year ago. The swelling is abnormal in the rate that it comes on. Its not typical of abusive playing. Its like someone inserted a grape under the skin of my lip .My lips become solid and I can not vibrate them whatsoever. Its starts as an itching sensation then I can feel the lip swell. It takes about 20-30 mins for the swelling to complete after I get that itching sensation.
When the swelling subsides . It feels sore. When I am able to practice , I find I have lost flexibility, range,Tone, the ability to switch easily on my doubles.I am primarily a Bass Trombonist and double on Tenor, Contrabass and Tuba. THis time it only took a couple of days to regain what I had lost.
Last year when it happened. I lost almost everything and had to start from scratch.At that time I started playing again after the first ATTACK. It came back after the first practice session. I quit for a week. I started playing again and it came back. I quit for another few days until I felt I was able to take it up again.
So, Is it an allergic reaction? Stress? Dental Issue?Too much Playing , switching/ doubling?
Nothing I have tried helps the issue. Benadryl, Ibuprofen,Vibrating Massagers, DOmeBoro(astringent dressing) Preparation H(Used by Ringling Bros Circus players for abusive 9hr a day weekend show schedule)and any and all creams, ointments, gels etc......
It should also be mentioned that a year ago I had broken a 9 month sobriety . I related the chop issues then with the stress from drying out after a few days of hard drinking. A week later when it happened again after quitting drinking for a week was an experiment. It happened again when I quit drinking. This time a year later I was not drinking. So I was surprised when it came back. For all who drink, ENJOY. THis is not a lecture on the Evils of drinking. After 40 years of drinking, the last 10years of on and off again quitting, I realize that there is nothing good left for me in Alcohol .
SO.......Where does that leave me? The past 3 years I have also been afflicted with a spine/ nerve disorder known as Sciatica. Alcohol destroys the Nervous system. I have suffered from peripheral nerve disorders in the past that have vanished with the cessation of my Alcohol use/abuse. Can either/both be related to my now CHOPS issue ? Can It be related to the High BLood Pressure Meds I am on? Any insight would be helpful.
Thanks, John