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Article about muscle relaxant at night for Fibromyalgia

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Posted 9/28/2011 11:52 AM (GMT -5)
I take Flexeril before bed, and it's been helping me. A LOT.
New article at WebMD about muscle relaxants and Fibro patients

www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/news/20110914/muscle-relaxant-may-help-fibromyalgia-patients?ecd=wnl_fib_092711

QUOTE from the article from a doctor who isn't impressed with the findings:

Referring to the 18% difference in pain reported between the drug and placebo groups, Walitt asks: "If you have fibromyalgia, are you really looking to be 18% better?"

Um, yes, Dr. Walitt, I will take 18% improvement over NOTHING. Clearly this doctor does not have Fibro, or he would know that.
Posted 9/28/2011 12:40 PM (GMT -5)
I use Flexeril (10 MG) only for flares. In the past I have used it as a sleep aid on occasion....just didn't want to start a habit of it...worried that my body would get accustomed to it and build up a tolerance.

Flexeril does make me drowsy and I'm unable to drive when I take it. It does take the edge off flare pain. The days that I take it, I'm unable to do much and I end up napping. I'm flaring today and took a flexeril just a bit ago and I expect to be napping within the hour...nighty night.

Hugs, Robin
Posted 9/28/2011 6:10 PM (GMT -5)
I have taken Flexeril for 2 years at night. Without it my legs and pretty much my whole body throb. It use to knock me out and now it doesnt even help me sleep. My Rheumy said take 2 so I did and was a mess all the next day. So now I am GOING TO TRY Trazodone 50 mg. Anyone else tried this? I havent tried it yet cause still new on Cymbalta. They backed my dose to 30mg on Cynbalta cause I was really really tired and my heart was beating fast and shackey. They said might be my thyroid so took some blood to check. All I know is I am SOOOO tired that I cannot work. mad
Posted 9/28/2011 9:12 PM (GMT -5)
@Normal,

I started taking trazadone 100mg. Actually started at 50 and built up to 100mg and I LOVE it! I sleep really well and don't wake up hung over. and it's cheap!!!! It's an old school drug for depression and sleep aid...

hope it works well for you as it has for me!

sweet dreams,
FibroNana/Jerrie
Posted 9/28/2011 9:20 PM (GMT -5)
You might try getting off the Flexeril for a week, so that your body is not use to it and then start it again. I have done this with several medications and it helps.

Miriam

Posted 9/28/2011 9:24 PM (GMT -5)
Seems like a good idea to me
Posted 9/30/2011 7:55 AM (GMT -5)
18% better? Heck yeah I'd go for it! My doctor gave me a soma to try to sleep and try to help with the pain. He offered me flexeril first but knowing that it turns me into a zombie for 24 hours I declined. The soma doesn't do anything that I can tell, though. It doesn't make me sleepy, at least.
Posted 9/30/2011 8:10 AM (GMT -5)
Thanks for the info. I used Voltren Gel last night shakehead It has my IBS so bad I cant make it to the bathroom. I told them the pills done that and I read that this is the same as pills so thats 30.00 down the tube. I hurt so bad yesterday I had to try it. Now I have to wait for my poor colon to get over this. I hear today if my works disability approves my long term disability. If they dont today I lose my medical, have one month of meds then I dont know what I will do. Say a prayer for me please. I cannot work and cant believe someone is going to decide this who has never seen me or talked to my bosses or co-workers. Next up Social Security. Im going to try the trazadone as soon as I can. OK 2 accidents at HOME and I am so shakey now from major IBS morning I cant type. Going to Ibs forum, I need to talk to them. Thanks all. Take care.
Posted 9/30/2011 8:54 PM (GMT -5)
Hang in there, and I think I'd put on a menstrual pad-- I hope folks at the IBS forum will be able to share some advice that will help you in this. Really, my heart goes out to you.
Posted 9/30/2011 9:11 PM (GMT -5)
Oh, Normal, That is so very sad. It is so incredibly rough to hurt, be sick and have financial worries on top of it all. Talk about stressful for you. Things look bleak but do not ever give up - there is always hope. ALWAYS. It is so trite to say this but sometimes it does help to literally take one day (or one hour) at a time. I have celiac and IBS in addition to icky chronic pain so can understand how debilitating it must be for you. Please take good care of yourself. Are you up to doing any reading as a distraction?

In answer to OP I was on Flexeril for a year and it did not help whatsoever. Am glad it does help some people, though! I cannot wait for the day I find that something to help me. I will be rejoicing like crazy!
Posted 9/30/2011 11:50 PM (GMT -5)
Flexeril works for me except I've noticed an increase in heartburn. Anyone get heartburn from flexeril? Also now my doctor wants me to try lyrica again. Only took it for three months last year and yes it helped. I just hate those brain medications. Can you take lyrica with flexeril?
Posted 9/30/2011 11:58 PM (GMT -5)
Isn't it weird how different we all are? Flexeril does nothing for me, but I do use Soma at night along with 100 mg of trazodone to get to sleep. A lot of my anxiety stems from the fact that I can't get to sleep at night, so I take Xanax about two hours before I go to bed, and then the Soma and trazodone do their job. It has worked for me really well since I quit taking Ambien.

Sending good thoughts to all of my fellow FM sufferers...
Posted 10/1/2011 9:38 AM (GMT -5)
Sawa,
I don't think Flexeril gives me hearburn, but I get heartburn sometimes anyway. Foods that give me trouble are tomatoes/tomato sauces, apples, grease/fat, and dairy.
Posted 10/1/2011 10:24 PM (GMT -5)
Flexeril is good, but causes severe constipation. I only take it when nothing else helps, because with my IBS, that's the last thing I need, LOL.
Posted 10/2/2011 1:11 PM (GMT -5)
 Hi all. Thanks for support. I am now without health insurance for the first time in my life. Just one more problem to solve. Will start tommorrow on this new problem. confused Maybe with all of our experiences we all can get the sleep that we need. Take care.
Posted 10/2/2011 8:20 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks for the article. I've been taking Flexiril too and I thought it was helping. My dr. just told me that recent studies show it doesn't help so I should stop taking it. I'm glad to have some research on my side!
Posted 10/3/2011 9:51 AM (GMT -5)
I alternate nights with Flexeril (50mg), Tizanidine (50mg) and Tramadol (50mg) taken once before bed to help with sleep/pain. I find the tramadol works best which tells me it's more pain than muscle tightness. Both muscle relaxants make my eyes/mouth/nose dry. They do work better if you stop taking them for a while before restarting.. seems they become less effective with time (continual use).
Posted 10/3/2011 11:50 AM (GMT -5)
I slept last night without Flexeril and without Tramadol. I actually feel pretty well physically this morning, but my brain feels tired, I am procrastinating, and kind of feel in the fog. If I could just get both parts of me working at the same time, that sure would be wonderful.
Posted 10/3/2011 3:21 PM (GMT -5)
omg luv I just went to 20 mg. Flexeril and you are on 50! Im omly 5'2 though. We wont discuss my weight nono Glad you slept well Apple. Im going to try the Trazodone next week. 
Posted 10/3/2011 5:27 PM (GMT -5)
I get serotonin syndrome - dangerous overheating, turning beet red etc., from Flexeril because I am also on tramadol.
Posted 10/3/2011 5:56 PM (GMT -5)
I hear you Alcie. I was on Fexeril, Tramadol, and Diclofinec, and Savella then Amrix instead of Flexeril ALL AT ONCE then got a cortizone and pain shot. shocked Sometimes my pain is so bad I cant stand it. Anyway I thought I was having a stroke. I ask Dr. about taking all at once and he said was ok (NOT). I got on drug interation and Tramadol and amrix should not be taken with alot of meds. I knew better but had missed a week of work and had not slept for 2 weeks. I always check out the drug interaction list now . We have to be careful what we mix. Sorry about all the faces guys I luv em yeah
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