[TPIN] beta blocker alternative

[Tim Phillips]

I am pleased more people have spoken up about their use of beta 
blockers.   As I have said on this subject many times in the past, for 
me it's not that I am scared.  I can go into a situation totally calm 
and ready to make great music.  Then the effects start out of nowhere.  
This is not a matter of "facing my fears" because in those cases, the 
fears honestly do not exist.  There are times even on the Inderal 
(because the 10mg dose is so low) that I get into a performance 
situation and I feel the adrenalin flowing and I get a bit antsy, but 
that I can manage.  For those of you who have never experienced this in 
this manner, your commentary on the subject way off base.  It's probably 
one of those things you have to experience for yourself before you 
understand.

I found the "old wives tale" and "urban legend" warnings from 
non-medical people about beta-blockers to be entertaining as well.  One 
of the strengths and weaknesses of this forum is that we are all instant 
authorities and all we have to do is type and press Send.  I feel sorry 
for those whose knowledge base is not big enough to know what is good 
and what is feldercarp. 

If some of you would like to try a natural alternative.   Here is a 
product I've tried in a master class situation and it worked for me.   
I've not been willing to risk it on a performance where I would really 
be able to tell, but it seemed to allow me to function without the 
automatic side effects I was used to.

http://www.seredyn.com/

Use at your own risk, YMMV.   This is not an endorsement.  I am not a 
doctor (even though I am DrMusic in the chat room).   FWIW, I do not 
recommend to my own students the use of substances to handle normal 
performance nerves - unless it becomes obvious that the person has no 
control.  So far, I have no students on propranolol.

Tim Phillips
iplatrpt at unifourbrass.org
http://www.unifourbrass.org