need help w/ muscle relaxers

[GardeniaGirl]

I am having a problem with muscle relaxers.

I am thinking I'm either not getting the right one or I am not on a strong enough dose or something.

I have inflammation in my spine (and other joints).

As the day wears on, this pain spreads out to the muscles across the rest of my back.

I can feel that I hold my back and shoulders in a permanently "tensed" position - due to trying to compensate for the pain in the spine.

So...muscle relaxers.

I was on 500mg Robaxin a few years back - I think this was mildly helpful, but my pain has progressed a lot since then.

I got a script for 100mg Norflex recently but did not seem to feel that much.

I now have a script for 2mg for zanaflex - when I took a second dose the other day, it was then that I felt like got some relief.

If anyone has any input for me on this, I would appreciate it- what types of doses and particular meds you have found helpful, etc.

Maybe this type of med isn't going to work for me, but I'd like to exhaust all my options before giving up on it entirely.

I am feeling pretty desperate for any amount of pain relief, even a small percentage.

[Cervie Barb]

I'm glad you brought this up, GardeniaGirl, because I need a different muscle relaxer, too. I've tried a few of them over the years. Norflex did nothing, Flexeril did nothing. I'm using an old one now - Soma- that worked okay for a while, but now is doing nothing for muscle spasms.

I've heard Skelaxin (sp?) is suppose to be good for spinal spasms in particular. I think I tried that before, but I can't remember. Maybe Soma contributes to memory loss! lol.

I've heard a lot of folks on this and the spinal board say that valium is absolutely the best muscle relaxer. I haven't tried it myself. I think it's hard to get it prescribed, and I'm almost afraid to ask for it and risk being flagged. That's terrible, isn't it? I would think it'd be too sedating anyway, but I don't know.

Good luck.

[BrokenBladder]

GG,

I've only taken two muscle relaxers and one was Baclofen(sp)which I didn't like at all.
The second one is Soma 350mg TID. I've found that this one works really well for me. I do remember when I first started taking it a couple of years back that it made me sleepy especially if I ate a good sized meal after taking it. Obviously that went away within a couple of weeks and I really like the way the it works to relax my muscles. My doctor offered to try me on some new ones but I turned him down. The way I look at it is if it's not broke why try to fix it. Anyway Soma is my choice for a muscle relaxer and like I said it's an oldie but goodie. As with most other meds there is the risk of addiction, but we all deal with that one!! I hope this helps you some and I'm sorry that you're dealing with so much pain in your muscles. I know what a horrible feeling that is for sure. Good luck and just talk to your doctor about it and see what he/she says.

After posting this I saw what Barb said and she's right about Valium. I'm prescribed that for my pelvic floor dysfunction. The only problem is that it does work for the muscles surrounding the female areas but not the rest of my body. Of course we're all so different, but keep in mind Valium is a Benzo and I noticed you're already on Xanax so I doubt they would give you the Valium too.

[debhun]

I take baclofen. 10 mg at night. I was 1/2 tab 4 times a day couldn't do that asleep i went. I would like to know why you couldn't take it. I don't see or feel that it is working.

[Mark N]

I take Soma and have been on it for more than a decade and it works well for me. I take 350mg QID although some days TID is enough for me. It works a bit inconsistently for me but overall I like it fine. Like Lisa, I have been offered different muscle relaxers but why fix something that isn't broke.

[slipnslide]

Before I had my ACDF surgery, I was on Skelaxin and Flexeril, neither seemed to do much for me (but who knows if it might have been worse if I had not been taking them?). Recently I had tried the Soma350 which didn't seem to work either, so I was taken off that and given Neurontin instead for nerve pain (which doesn't seem to help (yet) either). Unfortunately, I didn't notice any difference in the intensity of the spasms on any of these meds. I wish I could be of more help, but I think it's a matter of trial and error with meds, what works for one person, sometimes doesn't work for the next. I hope you find one that works for you.:)

Best wishes,

Kim

[GardeniaGirl]

Thanks everyone - I have not tried Soma or baclofen - so those might be options.

I also may need to take the med consistently through the day rather than just one at night when my back is totally flared in massive pain.

That might change the effect I have been having.

GG

[Kathi49]

GG,

I hope you can find something that helps. Flexeril, for whatever the reason, turns me into a depressed, raving lunatic. :eek: I don't know why but it does. Skelaxin did nothing. I haven't tried Soma or Baclofen. My Neurologist had me try Zanaflex but it didn't do anything for the spams; just knocked me out is all and I had bad acid reflux with it. But I did want to say since you take Xanax I think Baclofen is an option. And I say that because my Neurologist said it would be okay to take with Klonopin (a benzo as well). But, I have to say with all honesty, the very best med was Valium. I CAN take that on OCCASION only...not an every day thing. And my script is for 5mg. I only take it or have taken it when the spasms were severe. I might get a little drowsy but it doesn't knock me out. Oh, and I have to time it in a way that I don't take it close to the time I take Klonopin. But it most definitely kicks out any spasms I have. And what's the first thing they do at the ER when I have gone for severe spasms? They give me Valium and they know I take Klonopin. But since you are having spasms all the time...Baclofen might be something to look into. I might do the same since my Neuro mentioned it. It is just that she had me try Zanaflex first.

[gizmogirl]

valium is delicious for a muscle relaxant because it also has an anti-anxiety (from which they came up with klonapin), and a tranquillizer. However, if you take it daily, your withdrawal will be very difficult because you will be paranoid or have other insidious psychological problems. Soma is very similar to the muscle relaxant in Valium. So, if you have to take a muscle relaxant that causes dependency, might as well take just a muscle relaxant like SOMA.
In order to reduce or get off soma, you could try taking zanaflex (or better, its generic tizanadine). This muscle relaxant doesn't work so well for spasms that are NOT caused by nerve damage. So, it's going to work better than anythink for some people and not so well as soma for some people. Some people, like me, find that trying to keep alert while using strong muscle relaxants is a challenge.

I'm going to start to take baclofen, which is an anti-spasmodic, not just a musce relaxant. I've heard it makes some people sleepy, but I wouldn't mind a little sleepiness if it works with the tizanadine, because we'd be treating a little closer to the source of the problem.

I see that you are being given a tranqillizer but not an SSRI. One of the SSRI's, cymbalta, sometimes helps alot with nerve pain, although people have noted that for some its side effects make it not at all worth it. If cymbalta turns out not useful, to you, you could taper off it while tapering onto another SSRI. The goal would be to get you onto an SSRI because chronic pain tends to cause low levels of serotonin, making it hard to distract yourself from your pain.
I'm not a doctor, so you should talk to o yours. These are just suggestio for him to think about.

[ejskennedy]

Like all of you, I've been on quite a few muscle relaxers that did not work. Kathi--I feel you...Flexeril did work a little when I was on methadose; when I took it with nothing else, I was suicidal with 24 hours and it didn't help. I was a mess!!
Anyway, not muscle relaxers have really worked. As suggested on an earlier post, I have recently tried ativan. It worked a little the first few times, but doesn't seem to put a dent in it now.

One thing that did work for me that I cant afford now is a really good massage therapist. It's important that you find someone that is interested in your good health and not just a feel-good for the moment massage. The lady I saw made a huge difference my muscle response to the pain. And if you get your muscles "back" in can make a difference for a long time. I haven't seen her in 10 months, and its just been in the last 3 or 4 that my muscles are going back to their old ways. If I won the lottery I would put her on retainer.

I hope some of the meds suggested on the other posts work for you!

Erin

[Diandra]

Hi GG, et al,
Like Lisa and Mark, Soma(carisoprodol) works the best for me also at 350mg which I take as needed but, generally 1-2x a day. Like you GG, I tense my body when in pain and of course that makes it worse. I think the good thing about Soma is, I use it as needed and when I don't need it there is absolutely no withdrawal symptoms at all, at least for me. I could use it for weeks and then feel I don't need it and no problem.

I hope you can find some relief and a muscle relaxer that works for you.

Take care,
Diandra

[Kira]

I am still debating trying Baclofen like my PM&R/Pain doc suggested for my spasticity/rigidity in my left leg as well as my tight, scarred, calcified muscles in my upper body.

I have Klonopin that I take occasionally for mood stuff, and it does give me some muscle relaxation, though less than it used to. I don't think it's that I'm becoming tolerant because I don't take it that often, but who knows. I have a shrink appointment on Friday and I will ask him then what he thinks about dosages, tolerance, etc.

Flexeril, Robaxin, and Skelaxin didn't work for me. I haven't tried Zanaflex, Baclofen, Soma, or Valium.

I hope you find something that works for you. The different muscle relaxers work via a few different mechanisms, so hopefully you will find something that helps you. I know I would love it if I could find something that made my muscles stop hurting and clenching down so tightly. It is like they have a mind of their own and just tighten up like I am contracting them, then refuse to relax.

[Mark N]

Kira, I hope you find a muscle relaxer that works for you. Your appointment with the shrink may give you something that works. If not you have several that you haven't tried yet that may work.

[Buttons2]

Well I took Soma for many,many years-never had any trouble going off when not needed too much.

Have been on Flexeril now for past 10 yrs or so. I've found that I need to take one the minute I feel any tightening-in other words BEFORE it gets bad. I've also recently been taking it throughout the day,not just @ night or when I've been stupid & caused a flare of some kind.

Nobody has mentioned heating pads,I couldn't live without mine! I use it on/off all day. And I'm curious about these new massage/heat pads,has anyone tired one of those?

I'd also have massages if possible (no money right now),nothing has ever felt better in my life than a good massage! Very best way is to have them come to your house so you don't have to get up off the table & drive home!

Good luck,Buttons

[Cervie Barb]

You're right buttons, couldn't live without the heating pad! Some say alternating ice and heat works well, but not for me. Can't tolerate cold - just tightens me up more.

I was just looking at a circular last night that showed heated/massaging seat pads for sale. Now this SOUNDS really good, but whenever I buy something like that it's just an irritating vibration. Might as well go out and run a jackhammer for as good as that feels. lol.

I want one that feels like fingers pushing into the muscles. Maybe we'll just have to invent one ourselves.

[GardeniaGirl]

Barb- there is a massage pillow that I have read about on some internet forums that feels like someone using their fingers in the deep tissue on your neck (or wherever you put the pillow).

I think it is called a Shiatsu Massage Pillow or something. It also has heat.

I happened to see the one they were talking about at Walgreen's - you might be able to do a google search for it.

[mrsdoubtfyre]

Is an excellent muscle relaxer. That is what we use here over 90% of the time.
The only time I used Flexeril was when I had my adductor injury.

[Diandra]

Is an excellent muscle relaxer. That is what we use here over 90% of the time.
The only time I used Flexeril was when I had my adductor injury.

Hi Mrs D.
Thanks so much for the reminder. Years ago I was lucky enough to have an MD who specialized in homeopathic medicine and he used to give tons of magnesium in a Vitamin IV I used to get at his office once a week.(Unfortunately, he retired but he was true gem.)

When you say "that is what we use here"....what is "here"....Do you work at doctors office or some health facility? What doses do you use and oral, injection or IV?

Thanks a million,
Diandra

[mrsdoubtfyre]

Do you recall Dr. W? He started using my mag info in his office and had great success with it too.

I have a long popular mag thread at NeuroTalk. In the vitamin forum. It has tons of easy information on how to do this safely with supplements and/or food choices. I cannot link there, this site blocks links.

I have been using magnesium over 10 yrs now. My son uses, and my husband just had a spate of back pain from shoveling snow. 3 days on mag and he is over that!

Magnesium is essential for anyone on methadone. Low mag levels may increase long QT syndrome if present and not evaluated. Magnesium also helps block the NMDA receptors for pain, so it reduces pain signals for some.
It is also essential for the heart and blood pressure. You cannot utilized essential fatty acids properly without it.

[Cervie Barb]

Thanks for the tip about the shiatsu massager. I'll definately look into that. There goes my patent pending!

And, I forgot all about magnesium, too. I'm going to try that myself, Mrs Doubtfire, thanks.

[jimac]

This is the massager I wanted for Christmas..... guess I will have to buy it for myself.
Check out the Homedics site. They have some good products and not too high $$ in price.
http://www.homedics.com/homedics/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=SP-10H&categoryId=

My wife wanted to give me a gift certificate for a real Shiatsu massage:D .... I told her to wait until I could ask the doc if he would recommend it because the deep tissue type of massage is not for everyone. I think I would rather just buy one like this and use it over and over all the time.

Take care all
Jim

[Kathi49]

Be careful with the massagers guys and gals; especially if you have had a cervical fusion! :eek: :) I had one and ended up selling it...that is AFTER I had the surgeries. The difficulty with the one I had, similar to this one, was it is awfully diifficult to get it to specific areas plus I had to lay very heavy towels across...something the brochure also mentioned. So, jimac, I agree...they are nice...but PLEASE ask the docs first. Ever since then I have gone to get good ole regular massage therapy...at least that way you can tell them where to ease up at. :)

[gizmogirl]

Wow, this baclofen is better for me than the Zanaflex (tizanidine). I can't believe the difference. HAven't wanted a soma in days. Feel so clear!