Allergy to mouthpiece material???

StartingUpAgainAt53 · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2020 2:16 pm Post subject:

Hi Heather,

Yes and no. So after the first bout it got better. I did switch to a silver plate mouthpiece. Slowly worked back to the level I was playing before. Several months later- same thing happened. Slowly creeped back and was going well for another 6 months or so then about a month ago started happening again. Not sure if it is me pushing it to hard, failing bad and then working back up to where I was. I have been through this 3 times now in the past 2 years. I do believe it is some form of inflammatory reaction maybe triggered by overuse- don't know. I ordered an acrylic mouthpiece top just last week to see if it is a metal allergy that is triggered by overuse.

It has been really frustrating because I keep reaching new highs with my chops only to have big setbacks. I am very careful to warm up slowly and rest as much as I play when practicing. I usually put the horn down for the day when I start feeling the chops give out. I have been focusing on best practices- breath support, not too much pressure, balancing pressure between top and bottom lips. I warm up with Maggio or 19-30s and let my air drive the embouchure formation so not forcing my lips into a particular position.

Never had this issue back in the day but I was young then!

-Marc

Kumara999 · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2020 2:40 pm Post subject:

Thanks Adagio. I have a giddings on the way. Excited to try. I am also enjoying Tent’s Acrylic pieces. I made mistake of going back to play a favourite silver plate piece and got worse again. Guess i’ll Stick with Acrylic/ stainless for now.

Kumara999 · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2020 2:43 pm Post subject:

Hey StartingUpAgain - whose Acrylic piece are you trying? I have an ACB 3ES that I am loving. Also ordered the 3CS and 3DS. The 3CS was my go to silver plate piece.

I am planning to just play Acrylic for a while. The sound is nice. Not quite like metal but still good core sound.

Heather.

JVL · Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2020 4:09 am Post subject:

hello kumara
it was to point that things go in both ways : an allergy to metal (and other molecules, or food, etc) can be caused by dysbiosis (and its gaz production, aggression on guts, making them hyperpermeable), and a heavy metal intoxication can induce a candidosis which presence has for for goal to fight the intoxication.

As for tooth paste, many years ago i found one that doesn't give me some uncomfy feelings on toungue and lips : meswak (organic, fresh smell, just a little bit on the brush)
best

Kumara999 · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2020 5:24 am Post subject:

Thanks JVL - just did some research on that toothpaste and just ordered some. 😀

StartingUpAgainAt53 · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2020 8:27 am Post subject:

ghelbig · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2020 7:20 pm Post subject:

Kumara999 · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2020 3:35 am Post subject:

Gary - that is NOT a pretty looking picture.

It's a bit scary when you google this stuff with some of the negative impacts some people have.

Makes you think twice about EVER using a worn mouthpiece.

Heather

gregplo · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2020 9:35 am Post subject: Re: Mouthpiece Allergy

Steve A · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2020 10:02 am Post subject:

I switched over to gold plated mouthpiece rims on all my mouthpieces a few years ago. I had evidently gotten so used to subtle but persistent burning and swelling from what I can only assume was a silver allergy over the course of years, but happened to play a acrylic mouthpiece for a week, and quickly noticed I didn't have the progressively intensifying discomfort over the course of the playing day that I was used to. I didn't love the sound of the acrylic, so I had my other mouthpieces plated, and never looked back. I notice it almost immediately now if I happen to play a silver mouthpiece. It's funny - I knew it felt bad, but assumed for years I must have been doing something wrong.

(Of course, I could still have been doing something wrong, but evidently that wasn't the cause of the problem.

)

Kumara999 · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2020 2:30 pm Post subject:

Does anybody know if Giddings mouthpieces have trace levels of nickel in them? I have read that surgical grade stainless can.

My experimentation with materials is that I can not use raw brass, silver plate or gold plate. Acrylic and warbonite no issues at all but I seem to be having a very mild reaction to the stainless. Nothing like with the other metals but I had thought stainless was allergy free.

I really like the feel and sound of the giddings so hoping that this is not the case.

I was really hoping to have a metal option. I have also sent a top off to get Rhodium plated to see if that is an option. That is supposed to be nickel free.

Before anyone suggests a doctor - I am on a waiting list for allergy testing but am told will easily be 9 months.

Medical in Canada is free but waits on certain things can be a bit longer.

Heather.

JayKosta · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2020 3:16 pm Post subject: