[Trombone-l] Beta-blocker info requested

[james meador]

Excellent point Jeff!  No one talks about side effects of caffeine, or 
smoking which also involves a drug, and the MAJORITY of musicians I know 
smokes (especially the string players!).  No one frowns upon them (or at 
least generally speaking it is more accepted).  Not to mention the number of 
musicians I know that use other...'wacky' drugs.  Granted, those are usually 
saved for AFTER the audition.

Beta-blockers are not and never will be a performance enhancing drug.  They 
do not enhance anything.  They reduce the amount of adrenaline that enters 
the bloodstream.  There cannot possibly be side effects from a 10mg dose 
used once every 4 to 6 to 12 months.  In terms of 'other performance' 
issues...I've never had any complaints.

I think people make way too big a deal out of the issue.  No one seems to 
recommend the use of beta-blockers publicly, but when I asked privately the 
majority of people suggested them.  Go figure.

James

======================
James N. Meador, Bass Trombone
Orquesta Sinfónica de Yucatán
+52-999-221-5845 cell
+52-999-195-1144 home
jamesmeador at hotmail.com

From: Jeff Oien <jeff at webdesigns1.com>
To: Trombone List <TROMBONE-L at server5.SAMFORD.EDU>
Subject: Re: [Trombone-l] Beta-blocker info requested
Sent: Sunday, November 12, 2006 7:48 PM
I feel like replying because there is a lot of misinformation
going on here. Beta blockers are not anything like pain killers.
They are not addictive, you don't develop a dependency, there
aren't major withdrawal symptoms and they are one of the lesser
problematic drugs out there. Besides, the discussion here is
for taking them for one day at a time-an audition or a solo
performance.

I think caffeine is much more problematic than beta blockers
and I've seen very few messages talking about avoiding coffee
at all costs.

I take beta blockers for heart palpitations, have lowered, raised
and gone off of them and it's really not a problem.

Of course everyone should do their own research. There is plenty
of info available online and if some would just look at a few
pages they would dispel some of the misinformation.
Jeff