ungodly back spasms.

Hi, all. This is my first post here. I'm 22, and I was just diagnosed with fibromyalgia in April 2012 (although I'm quite sure I had it before that and it went undiagnosed for some time). I've been slowly learning how to cope, but there's one thing I just have not been able to overcome or really deal with yet, which is the terrible back spasms.

I think the biggest trigger for me is stress; the more upset and stressed I am, the more likely I am to have a spasm. For example, my grandfather has been in the hospital for a week in serious condition, and I've had two awful spasms in that span of time. I just came down from the second spasm about 15 minutes ago. During, I was googling fibro spasm relief tips on my phone from my position on the floor, and I found this forum. As soon as I felt better, I got my laptop out and registered so I could make this post and ask for some advice.

Does anyone else experience back muscle spasms, particularly with pain along the spinal column and severe constriction around the ribs? If so, how do you combat/treat these spasms?

My spasms start with a burning pain right in the core of my stomach. I think this is because the nerves connected to my stomach are being pinched, because that area (the thoracic vertebrae) is usually where the most muscle constriction occurs and the most pain. Then, my spine feels like flaming knives are being inserted between every vertebrae, particularly the ones really low in my back and over my hips, and then the muscles around my ribs constrict until I can barely take a deep breath.

When I feel a spasm coming on, the first thing I do is take several ibuprofen. I usually take 3 or 4, depending on the pain level. I also take one of my gabapentin, if it's around the time for a dose (I take 600 mg a day, though I'm going to ask my doctor soon if I can up the dose). I don't take muscle relaxers anymore because they only seem to succeed in making me 10x more exhausted while still in the same amount of pain.

Then I alternate between using a heating pad, using my sit-up massager, and using a handheld massager I got at Target (a little tiny one with four rounded feet) to dig into either side of my spine where it hurts the most, and try to alleviate some of the pain so the muscles will stop constricting. Rubbing the muscles themselves never seems to work for me, only massaging along my spine.

Eventually, the combination of heat, massage, and the pain meds kicking in will usually alleviate the pain. However, it's taking longer to work than it used to, and tonight it took so long that I was nearly thrown into full-on animal panic from the pain. By animal panic, I mean manic, tears streaming down your face, running around like a chicken with its head cut off, trying to find anything that will just make it stop whether or not it makes sense, kind of panic. I hate that feeling.

If any of you experience similar spasms and have some tips on how you combat the pain, they would be greatly appreciated.

I would echo 'be careful using too much ibuprofen.' I developed gastritis about a month after surgery for a ruptured appendix, and had been taking Naproxen (though I also had other GI issues, so it wasn't entirely due to the Naproxen). I believe ibuprofen is similar, and I know of others who have developed gastritis and other stomach issues after using ibuprofen frequently.

Now when I have pain, I take Tylenol. Of course, obviously it's important to not overdo anything like that.

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/gastritis-000067.htm

Like you, I find heat very helpful. The heating pad can feel heavenly. A warm bath is great, too.

Best wishes and I hope your spasms take a hike!

I get spasms in my back. Sounds like you need a percussion back massager or one of those crapzu back massagers. I have both of them.
A spa wrap will help too.

If you can treat yourself to a massage that will also help. I try to get one once a month. I t helps.

I get horrible back spasms. When mine hit I take a low dose of flexeril and lie on my hardwood floors with my feet up in a chair and a heating pad under my back. This position helps my back so much. It even helps when my si arthritis has my lower back aching.
I'm in physical therapy for my back. After a few weeks of therapy I'm not sure if its working. It seems to be hurting my knees more than anything. You could ask your rheumy about pt. I know it has worked really well for some people. It would be great if you could find some aqua therapy.