I know a lot of people hate Flexeril for its side effects, but for several years it really helped me. I could take a few pills when needed and settle the spasms and locking in my muscles. Now I don't know how to deal with this (tramadol and gabapentin help with the pain but the tightness doesn't resolve). Flexeril quit working for me quite suddenly...kept me wide awake at night and extremely restless...just made everything worse. I don't know how that happened (hormone shift, who knows).
My doctor said there aren't many other options. Has anyone tried Soma or other muscle relaxants? I see Soma is best for short term use. The only other option I can find is something like Valium, which could also be a nightmare since I need something long term (though not daily). I have a pretty terrible addiction history. I have temazepam for sleep and when I double that it does help relax me, but that doesn't even work as well as flexeril used to. Also, I need to get rid of that med anyway because it's also not a good longterm med and it's a pretty strong benzo. I'm feeling a little helpless at the moment.
Massage and stretching do not help, but increase pain once muscles have locked up. I'm sort of wondering where I could find a Jacuzzi and if that would help. Has anyone found help for painful muscles spasms aside from meds (again, manipulation of any kind increases the pain and is not an option)? I know acupuncture can help some people with pain, but can it helps with settling muscle spasms?
I'll also go back on magnesium. And maybe try Valerian root (did nothing in the past, too lightweight, but I'll try any combination that might keep me off benzos and yet not hating being in my body so much once the muscles lock up...very hard to resolve). Because of the body-oriented trauma therapy I'm doing I don't have major meltdowns over this kind of pain anymore, but I feel frustrated and uncomfortable anyway.
Non-strenuous, fluid movement helps, so I will try a lot of that today, along with some active rest (like Alexander Technique rest) and maybe soothing sounds or music.
Feels like I've tried almost every viable route here. :blackeye: I realize distractions and activities I enjoy will help my patience, so sticking with that this weekend too.
My doctor said there aren't many other options. Has anyone tried Soma or other muscle relaxants? I see Soma is best for short term use. The only other option I can find is something like Valium, which could also be a nightmare since I need something long term (though not daily). I have a pretty terrible addiction history. I have temazepam for sleep and when I double that it does help relax me, but that doesn't even work as well as flexeril used to. Also, I need to get rid of that med anyway because it's also not a good longterm med and it's a pretty strong benzo. I'm feeling a little helpless at the moment.
Massage and stretching do not help, but increase pain once muscles have locked up. I'm sort of wondering where I could find a Jacuzzi and if that would help. Has anyone found help for painful muscles spasms aside from meds (again, manipulation of any kind increases the pain and is not an option)? I know acupuncture can help some people with pain, but can it helps with settling muscle spasms?
I'll also go back on magnesium. And maybe try Valerian root (did nothing in the past, too lightweight, but I'll try any combination that might keep me off benzos and yet not hating being in my body so much once the muscles lock up...very hard to resolve). Because of the body-oriented trauma therapy I'm doing I don't have major meltdowns over this kind of pain anymore, but I feel frustrated and uncomfortable anyway.
Non-strenuous, fluid movement helps, so I will try a lot of that today, along with some active rest (like Alexander Technique rest) and maybe soothing sounds or music.
Feels like I've tried almost every viable route here. :blackeye: I realize distractions and activities I enjoy will help my patience, so sticking with that this weekend too.