Greetings all,

My 12 year old son is a couple months into playing the Sax in the school band. He has known SEVERE milk allergies. Like clockwork, he throws up for a few (3-5) hours starting 1-2 hours after band. (Sorry - didn`t know how to sugar-coat that last sentence.)

Can anybody tell me if there are ANY milk proteins/products, etc used in the production of reeds?

Specifically, he has Rico-Frederick L. Hemke reeds.

Thanks in advance for sharing any info you may have.

Rob

I haven`t heard of dairy products being used in the production of reeds. Has he always gotten sick after playing or did it start after the 1st few days. If it started later I would get a new reed and clean the mouthpiece. I have seen reeds turn black mold and mouthpieces that look pretty ugly too, so this could be causing some of the problem. Good luck.

I`m allergic to milk and I don`t have a problem after I`m done playing. Although if you`re worried that it is the reed, try a plastic one.

Reeds are made from bamboo so it may be the plants natural "juices" making him do it. It can also be the materials used in making the reed. My suggestion try another brand of reed....Rico`s are the cheapest and go from there. If he is still doing it change to a plastic reed. You never know it may just be something in the school`s lunch making him sick and not the reeds.

If he has a true allergy to the reed or something in the reed, I would expect that his lower lip would be swollen and itchy. The previous suggestion of a plastic reed is good. That will at least give you that answer, since it is possible to ingest something (reed "juice") that you are sensitive (but not allergic) to. Does he get a headache, visual symptoms, sensitivity to light or sound? Is there a family history of migraines? It is possible for some foods to trigger migraines, maybe substances in the reed can do this. Is that the ONLY time he vomits. Maybe the association with band is a red herring. Maybe not. By the way, I am a pediatrician and play the alto sax (with plastic reeds!)

Thanks all for the replies. In the mean time, we have determined that the apparant coincidence with band was just that. Jim, ever heard of CVS??

Thanks again,
Rob

Rob,
I don`t know, what does CVS stand for?
Jim

Hi Jim,

(Amongst others, not at all related to my reference), CVS stands for Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome, aka Cyclic Abdominal Migraines.

By the way - you were definitely on the right track with your suggestions/questions!

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=cyclic+vomiting+syndrome

Happy reading!
Rob

Sure, Rob,
I`ve had patients with cyclic vomiting syndrome. So, if you`re working with your son`s doctor and you feel you`re on the right track, great! Let us know how things work out.
Jim

Yes - we are working with his doctor. (We don`t diagnose via the net, but we sure research the heck out of stuff after the fact!!)

Thanks again,
Rob