LaChat
Stranger
Reged: 05/26/04
Posts: 14
Loc: Pacific Northwest
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Hi, I'm new here. This is a wonderful place! I've been diagnosed with a chronic illness which happens to have the lovely side effect of muscle spasms (so far only in my feet and upper back). However, they come on quickly and are very painful. I have been on Zanaflex until it stopped working, now I'm on Clonazepam and it's no longer working. I've tried Flexeril and that doesn't work anymore. My neuro prescribes these for me to take every evening and I think that has something to do with building up a tolerance? Is there something out there I can take when the spasms start and not have to take them nightly? I don't have spasms every day, so I don't see a reason to take muscle relaxers every day. If anyone could help that would be great!
Thanks!
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La Chat
"Please help me to be the person my dog thinks I am!"
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dee19
Stranger
Reged: 04/07/04
Posts: 21
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Hi, I am new here too, welcome to a great site!
I have primary progressive multiple sclerosis, so have had to adjust and learn about anti-spasm meds like you...
And even though you say your spasms are not always there - you will find all anti-spasm meds have to be taken daily/or nightly in order for them to work properly. They will not work if taken one day and not the next, so to speak.
I currently take Zanaflex in combo with Rivotril. But the best anti-spasm med I found (for me personally) was Baclofen. I am currently off Baclofen only because my MS could not tolerate some of the side effects. But it really did help with my spasticity, and my Neuro wants me to re-start Baclofen in three months time.
Why don't you ask your Neuro about Baclofen - hope you find something soon.
The only anti-spasm med that I know of, which doesn't need to be taken every day (and is not often available & depends on what your illness is) = Botox, which is injected by your doctor every few months. Currently, I believe this option is limited to only certain muscle spasms/groups, in certain neurological disorders.
Good luck - hope you find a suitable med soon!
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LaChat
Stranger
Reged: 05/26/04
Posts: 14
Loc: Pacific Northwest
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Thank you so very much for the news about having to take muscle spasm meds daily/nightly (I didn't realize that was how it worked-but I suppose that's what makes it seem like I don't have the spasms all the time?) I will ask my neuro on Tues (by phone) about Baclofen. Zanaflex worked GREAT for me, but like I said after about a year it totally stopped being effective at all. Not even increasing the dosage helped
So happy that you replied, I have good advice, a fellow MSer and I'll talk to my neuro about the drug you mentioned.
Again, thanks so much!!! 
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La Chat
"Please help me to be the person my dog thinks I am!"
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dee19
Stranger
Reged: 04/07/04
Posts: 21
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You're most welcome...hope it works well for you.
And it's just great to meet a fellow MSer on this site! Luv Dee
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IMSUSCOT1
Threadhead
Reged: 10/23/02
Posts: 894
Loc: usa
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There does seem to be a problem with tolerance issues w/skeletal muscle relaxants...Zanaflex is a good choice becuase it treats spasmodicity that originate with spinal cord disorders..I'm not a big "naturalist nut" but, I believe you need to eat a banna ever day, drink or eat some diary or orange juice with calcuim added and take a magnaseium twice supplemnt daily...the magnesium is actually given IV in the hosptial to STOP premature labor...so it's VERY effective..don't go crazy with servings...just one a day maybe two of the juice...and add then switch the muscle relaxant w/perhaps a benzo thrown in every fourth day will help.
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LaChat
Stranger
Reged: 05/26/04
Posts: 14
Loc: Pacific Northwest
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Thanks for your input as well. I do take magnesium daily with a calcium supplement. Additionally I have cheese or milk at least every day...naners maybe once a week? So, I think I have those bases covered-sorta.
My neuro though wants me taking a muscle relaxant every night, so I think I'll have to just play at the switching around game and eventually I can get back on Zanaflex and have it work. I guess I built up a tolerance to it. Now I'm on 1 mg. of Clonazepam, but tomorrow morning I'm going to phone my neuro about either increasing it to 2 or trying another drug and I will ask about the Baclofen that Dee advised.
Again, thank you all so much!
La Chat
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keystone
Veteran
Reged: 09/05/02
Posts: 587
Loc: Arizona, USA
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valium works very well. It is Rx'ed for TMJ patients because of the clentching, grinding of the teeth, so it may work for you. Soma is also great but becareful driving.
Mu favorite was the zanaflex. Try taking a 2 day holiday once a week and your tolerance will not be an issue - zanaflex is a VERY good med. Just try to find something for those (or 3 days) a week when you don't/can't use it.
Xanax would also be acceptable (assuming you ONLY use it for 2 - MAX 3 - days a week). Addiction to Xanax shouldn't be a problem for that short a duration.)
Good luck! KS
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The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was to convince the world he never existed.
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LaChat
Stranger
Reged: 05/26/04
Posts: 14
Loc: Pacific Northwest
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Thanks Keystone!
I really liked the Zanaflex too. Once you have built up a tolerance is it always there or after 8 months of not using it can you start using it again and have it be effective like it once was?
I'd like to stay away from addictive things, so far I don't have daily pain, but my MS causes muscle spasms which do create daily pain if the drug I'm using is not working! But thank you all so much for all your help
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La Chat
"Please help me to be the person my dog thinks I am!"
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IMSUSCOT1
Threadhead
Reged: 10/23/02
Posts: 894
Loc: usa
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If you take baclofen, just remember it cannot be discontinued abruptly...doing so after daily dosing can cause seizures..so if you have to stop baclofen after taking it for some time, you must wean the daily dosage, then dose every other day, etc till stopped...good luck
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LaChat
Stranger
Reged: 05/26/04
Posts: 14
Loc: Pacific Northwest
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Thanks so much for the warning. So far, I've increased my Clonazepam dosage to 2 mg. and it seems to be working fine. However, when that stops I'll look into the other options mentioned. Much appreciated
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La Chat
"Please help me to be the person my dog thinks I am!"
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kintzer
Member
Reged: 01/20/03
Posts: 112
Loc: U.S.A.
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hi, you might also want to do a google search on quinine. I found it on MedlinePluse Drug information and it says it is also prescribed for muscle cramps. I also use to take something called Qvell it was an over the counter med used just for leg cramps and it worked real well.
hope this helps.
kintzer
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