Are Muscle Relaxers the Same as Pain Meds???

[Tyme4Changes]

I have a problem (big problem) with being able to relax and allow passive shoulder exercises to be done on me. I cannot make myself relax, no matter how hard I try, which is becoming a problem with getting these passive exercises done (where I don't help and basically "give up" my arm to the holder of it). I was wondering if muscle relaxers might force me to do this??? or does anyone have any other suggestions? I'm a total Type A personality and I think that I'm relaxed but am told very emphatically that I'm NOT and I guess I just can't. I can't let my arm go completely limp & loose for someone to yank it up really hard. any suggestions? I've been doing very well after quitting pain meds about 3-4 weeks ago and don't want to get something equally bad started up.

[shay4bliss]

Hi Tyme,

It's been my experience that most muscle relaxers (that work well) are addictive...if that's what you're asking.

I can honesty only think of one, Flexeril, that is not. I personally, cant take it. It makes me feel horrible, and really doesn't do alot for me. So I don't use any muscle relaxer. There are a bunch out there, but they are highly addictive, almost worse than Pain killers. The addictive properties are much faster than a pain killer.

Maybe someone else here knows of one and can chime in. I'd sure like to know myself. I've been in need of one for along time.

I have the same problem you're talking about when I try to do Yoga. If I relax totally it's hurts. I become very kinked up and get little charlie horses.

Hope someone here has some answers (you want) for you.
Shay

[Tyme4Changes]

thanks ....I was pretty sure that they'd be addictive too, but thought I'd ask. I took Skelaxin several years ago, after I slipped on some ice. I don't recall anything outstanding about it. Maybe just a good stiff drink before doing the exercises would help instead. I am not going to ever, ever get started on anything thats addicting again.....it is definitely not worth it.

[mk7657]

Hi tyme.

Shay is right; they are addictive.

I took Soma brand muscle relaxers in combination with my opiates for a couple of years. When I went to the doctor during detox, my wife and I showed him the Soma. He didn't seem as concerned about it as he was the hydro, surprisingly. He said to finish the bottle during my detox and don't buy any more.

There were about 45 pills in the bottle, and I had a one-week taper dose for the hydros. The hydros ran out before the Soma did. Additionally, I was out of the shakes period of detox from the hydro before the Soma ran out.

After I took my last dose, I had about one day where I felt the shakes followed by muscle knotting in my back reminiscent of the old days before my addiction. I also had bad depression set in after that shaky day, but it's hard to tell if it was PAWS from the hydros or the Soma.

I hope this helps.

Mike

[Syribo]

From what I've seen people experience... they are really incredibly addictive. I think what makes it so addictive is that a very high tolerance can form after a while.

It happened to someone I know. She was taking Vicodin too for pain, taking four a day... but the Soma she abused so badly, she took 6 at a time. She passed away recently because of the Soma, it stopped her heart... It's sad, and I know any medication like muscle relaxers, benzo's or painkillers can do this, but I've known a few people on Soma and they all turned out to be so addicted, they had to take insane amounts to get any effect.

The two times I've tried them, they've made me feel really sick and that was it.