mainecoon66
07-31-2006, 03:32 AM
Hi there,
I hope everyone had a good weekend! :)
I've started having deep muscle cramps, primarily in my back, buttocks and legs and was wondering if anyone had any experiences or opinions on the different muscle relax meds?
I've read about many people here taking Baclofen and am thinikign of trying it. Does anyone know how Baclofen compares to Zanaflex? More or less sedating? How effective? Other side effects? Any thoughts would be appreciated!
As background - I've tried Flexeril (didn't work), Skelaxin (side effects more than help), and Zanaflex. So far Zanaflex seems to work best, but really knocks me out, even at 0.5mg.
Thanks again for your help!
Vickie
I hope everyone had a good weekend! :)
I've started having deep muscle cramps, primarily in my back, buttocks and legs and was wondering if anyone had any experiences or opinions on the different muscle relax meds?
I've read about many people here taking Baclofen and am thinikign of trying it. Does anyone know how Baclofen compares to Zanaflex? More or less sedating? How effective? Other side effects? Any thoughts would be appreciated!
As background - I've tried Flexeril (didn't work), Skelaxin (side effects more than help), and Zanaflex. So far Zanaflex seems to work best, but really knocks me out, even at 0.5mg.
Thanks again for your help!
Vickie
Sponsor
badoldback
07-31-2006, 11:16 AM
Hey Maine,
For me, Baclofen was fairly effective and not at all sedating.
Zanaflex was more effective and slightly more sedating.
Soma was most effective and most sedating.
I'm currently taking Zanaflex. The feeling of being over sedated passed after a short while.
I hope it works as well for you.
Mike
For me, Baclofen was fairly effective and not at all sedating.
Zanaflex was more effective and slightly more sedating.
Soma was most effective and most sedating.
I'm currently taking Zanaflex. The feeling of being over sedated passed after a short while.
I hope it works as well for you.
Mike
slipperyslope
07-31-2006, 11:30 AM
I Can't take Flexeril during the day either but at night it works really good. I use Robaxin during the day, and it really helps my pain and doesn't make me tired at all. Its an older drug but a good one. you may want to ask your Dr about it really works for me.
mainecoon66
07-31-2006, 11:47 AM
Thank you both for your input - I really appreciate it. I am off to my doc today and will mention both the options you suggested. I hope you have a good day :)
Vickie
Vickie
gdspoiler
07-31-2006, 11:57 AM
I used Soma before and it just didn't work all it did was make me feel drunk and stupid. I am on Flexeral which works great for me it doesn't have many side effects and seems to work well for my lower back. I especially like it for bedtime.
Take Care and God Bless
Mark
Take Care and God Bless
Mark
ozzybug
07-31-2006, 01:13 PM
Hey Vickie-
I've used Skelaxin & Flexeril. The Skelaxin didn't make me as sleepy as the Flexeril does, but have been having problems with vomitting from the Skelaxin lately so have stopped taking that.
I've never heard of Baclofen before that I know of?
Please let us know what your doctor says! Be safe and take care :wave:
Lezlee
I've used Skelaxin & Flexeril. The Skelaxin didn't make me as sleepy as the Flexeril does, but have been having problems with vomitting from the Skelaxin lately so have stopped taking that.
I've never heard of Baclofen before that I know of?
Please let us know what your doctor says! Be safe and take care :wave:
Lezlee
JeanneO
07-31-2006, 01:39 PM
I just started taking Baclofen, I take 1 at bedtime along with 2 Benadryl for sleep and it sure does help with that. I will also take either a half or a whole one during the day for the muscle tightness and spasms. It is a drug that is used often for people with MS for the spasticity, that's what I was told by the pharmacist.
I find that if I'm up and moving around during the day then I don't get sleepy but if I'm relaxing on the couch watching TV....out I go. So I'm rather careful as to when I take it. I have Massage Therapy tomorrow for the first time in a couple of months and I'm going to take it beforehand...hoping for better reults with the massage.
This is really the only muscle relaxer I've taken and it does help.
Good Luck!!!
JeanneO:)
I find that if I'm up and moving around during the day then I don't get sleepy but if I'm relaxing on the couch watching TV....out I go. So I'm rather careful as to when I take it. I have Massage Therapy tomorrow for the first time in a couple of months and I'm going to take it beforehand...hoping for better reults with the massage.
This is really the only muscle relaxer I've taken and it does help.
Good Luck!!!
JeanneO:)
zoey1
07-31-2006, 02:03 PM
I take skelaxion during the day and robaxion at night. Robaxin works well for me in combination with sonta ( sleeping) for getting to sleep and staying asleep.
Flexerial did not do much for me .
Flexerial did not do much for me .
slipperyslope
07-31-2006, 03:27 PM
I am tellin you I have tried every muslce relaxer mentioned here and Robaxin is good because you can function on it. you do not feel all drugged like flexeril and baclofin makes you feel. I swear, I take one flexeril and I feel like I am on heroin, I have never tried Heroin but I am so medicated that I can barely walk on that stuff .. and I am a big gal, but it does help me big time... its a pwerful little bugar. ask about Robaxin its a very good medication but its an oldie and sometimes that is good as a lot of these new medications are scary as you never no what there going to discover about them years down the road.... I am a big fan of taking older proven meds.
Some docs feel robaxin is not the best muscle relaxer cuz there are better ones out there but it really works for me and I don't get in a drug stooper on it.:p
Some docs feel robaxin is not the best muscle relaxer cuz there are better ones out there but it really works for me and I don't get in a drug stooper on it.:p
zach016
07-31-2006, 05:11 PM
Hi,
Funny how everyone reacts differently to these meds..
A well known h/a specialist was having success Rx Baclofen, dtaken daily on a schedule, to migraineurs so I tried it a few years ago. It only lasted a couple of days because even on a small dose I was having hallucinations!! And I have NEVER had hallucinations in my life!!
I DO take Flexeril and have no problem with sedation during the day. It helps my neck by far the most with the least side effects.
I do know many others that tolerate it just fine so good luck!!
Zach
Funny how everyone reacts differently to these meds..
A well known h/a specialist was having success Rx Baclofen, dtaken daily on a schedule, to migraineurs so I tried it a few years ago. It only lasted a couple of days because even on a small dose I was having hallucinations!! And I have NEVER had hallucinations in my life!!
I DO take Flexeril and have no problem with sedation during the day. It helps my neck by far the most with the least side effects.
I do know many others that tolerate it just fine so good luck!!
Zach
Queenneeee
07-31-2006, 07:09 PM
wow I am glad this post is here. I was just getting on to discuss the different muscle relaxers. I am taking Tizanidine(Zanaflex)4 mg. every 6 hours then I take 8 mg. for bed along with ambian cr. I do get some relief with zanaflex and I do get sleepy about one hour after taking it which usually makes me nod off only for like 15 min. My question is if anyone ever took zanaflex if perhaps I should take something stronger because I do feel better with the muslce relaxer but I sure would like to have more of an improvement ....I hear alot of flexeral I am wondering if it is stronger than zanaflex... anyone happen to have any knowledge on this >> ?? thanks in advance
mainecoon66
07-31-2006, 11:06 PM
Wow - thanks so much everyone for your responses! Your input was invaluable for my appt today. Where my doc and I landed was that I retain the Zanaflex for bedtime use, since I find it so sedating, and try Baclofen for during the day, up to 3 x day. If the Baclofen doesn't work out then I am going to try Robaxin as the next step as my doc said that is also another good option.
Lezlee - I get nauseous with a lot of meds and tolerated my first Baclofen ok today. I will let you know how that goes.
As far as my experience with Flexeril, I tried some years ago and didn't really feel much benefit from it pain wise. Still, if the others don't work out, I may revisit that one. Personally I find Zanaflex to be the most successful pain wise, but also the most sedating (I take 2 - 4mg)
So...thanks again for all your posts! Take care and have a good night :)
Vickie
Lezlee - I get nauseous with a lot of meds and tolerated my first Baclofen ok today. I will let you know how that goes.
As far as my experience with Flexeril, I tried some years ago and didn't really feel much benefit from it pain wise. Still, if the others don't work out, I may revisit that one. Personally I find Zanaflex to be the most successful pain wise, but also the most sedating (I take 2 - 4mg)
So...thanks again for all your posts! Take care and have a good night :)
Vickie
duttin
08-01-2006, 12:23 AM
I was on flexeril and it didn't help.I have been on zanaflex for 8 months now and on baclofen for 6 months.I take 8mg zanaflex and 20 mg baclofen 4 times a day.Zanaflex sedated me until I got used to.The combination works great for the muscle spasms most days,not much for the pain.
Toni
Toni
whatamess@35
08-01-2006, 01:30 AM
Just be careful with the baclofen.Make sure you drink plenty of water while taking it..
Dee74
08-01-2006, 06:29 PM
Skelaxin did absolutely nothing for me whatsoever..
Flexeril made me feel exhausted 24/7 and also a numb sensation.. It's really hard to describe, but I really couldn't do much of anything but just lie around. My arms and legs felt like jello. Very weird..
Currently I'm on 20mg of Baclofen 3x a day. It's working wonders for my muscle spasms in my legs (from the fibro I assume) and it does help a bit with my neck (herniated discs). The first few days of taking it, I felt delirious :dizzy: but not to an extent that anyone could look at me and tell that I was taking something. I could still control my body, but I felt really out of it and somewhat "giggly" :p The two times that I bumped up my dosage (I started with only 20mg once a day), I felt a little lightheaded, but very tolerable.. that only lasted a day or so at most. Now, I feel no side effects from it whatsoever, but boy can I tell when I miss a dose! I start getting muscle cramps from hell.
Flexeril made me feel exhausted 24/7 and also a numb sensation.. It's really hard to describe, but I really couldn't do much of anything but just lie around. My arms and legs felt like jello. Very weird..
Currently I'm on 20mg of Baclofen 3x a day. It's working wonders for my muscle spasms in my legs (from the fibro I assume) and it does help a bit with my neck (herniated discs). The first few days of taking it, I felt delirious :dizzy: but not to an extent that anyone could look at me and tell that I was taking something. I could still control my body, but I felt really out of it and somewhat "giggly" :p The two times that I bumped up my dosage (I started with only 20mg once a day), I felt a little lightheaded, but very tolerable.. that only lasted a day or so at most. Now, I feel no side effects from it whatsoever, but boy can I tell when I miss a dose! I start getting muscle cramps from hell.