Singing, Playing, and Managing Symptoms

Tonight I got to sing for a Client Appreciation Night. This is the gig for which I needed to limit my songs to 2 or 3. I decided to go with two original tunes (a wedding song and a French tune), as well as a fan-favourite cover: Desperado.

Now, I don't think it is any secret that I have several health complications.
Suffering from some fairly difficult illnesses means that singing is just a bit more complicated.
I have issues carrying anything heavy - I always require some help (why couldn't I have mastered a smaller instrument as well as learning piano?!?!?!), so even though I have all of the adequate equipment for most functions, requiring help for even the smallest events is a major feat. Even with help. Plus, the pain that arises after being out at all for any reason can get severe, let alone if I am also singing and playing piano.

One consistent complication is dry-mouth.
Add in nerves, over-practicing, Hereditary Angioedema causing throat swelling, and a number of additional factors, and a dry mouth can not only hinder one's ability to sing - it can make it nearly impossible. Plus, sometimes I forget to grab water before getting on stage. Water also doesn't always help, either.
So I use something called Xylimelts. They are really simple: it is a mint that can be purchased at your local pharmacy, sometimes behind the counter (without a prescription) but often found in the dental hygiene aisle. What's so great about a mint? The base is Xylitol, which is a sugar substitute (just keep it away from pets) that stimulates the production of saliva and it has a backing on it that is meant to stick to your teeth and gums.
For a singing gig, for instance, I stick one of these to one of my molars, and I do not suffer as much (if any) dry mouth during the performance. The backing dissolves and the mint is very mild, and Xylimelts can be without flavour.
This is not a paid advertisement, I just really find these useful in both my medical life and in my musical life.

One piece of advice though:
If you go telling people about them, like I did tonight to another performer, just make sure you are very clear about it. Afterwards I felt as though I appeared to be peddling pills. They are very tablet-looking. Haha. Oops!

Happy singing!

Even when things are difficult or gigs don't always go as planned or as expected, I still absolutely love - every single day - my wonderful, my inspiring, my lovely, My Musical Life.