prettyday
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Reged: 02/09/03
Posts: 924
Loc: Coastal Sage Scrub
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Is that in my head?
Because all these new things are out (Xanax, and I still have Ativan around,) yet it seems that Valium still relaxes me the best (muscles, brain waves, sleep)
Xanax works a little too well-it knocks me out
Ativan-nothing, then, nothing, so why put a benzo in the mix...
Klonopin---scary; because it sneaks back on me a couple days later, and I get stupid all of a sudden. That makes no sense right? They should metabolize the same way?
But somehow the Valium just does its job and that's it.
I am asking because I am kind of looking at everyone's feedback on Ops and Iops, (never have ordered from an IOP yet) and it would be nice to have some for unplanned holidays, plane trips are hard, etc.
Also my vet told me when I called once and had some on hand to go ahead and dissolve a bit in water and give it to my cat after he had a fright, so it seems to have been around quite a while....
Any education welcome!
Thank you!  
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First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
- Mahatma Gandhi
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Eeyore27
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Reged: 07/05/04
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Loc: Where Misery loves Company U...
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Hmmm...not sure about Valium for chronic pain. I thought it was supposed to be a anti-anxiety med, which is what I've taken it for. I would really love to know if they're any good for pain, because I effed up my back again and I have some V's sitting right here in my desk drawer. I have a feeling if I test that theory out, I'll just fall asleep and forget that I'm in pain...which wouldn't be a bad thing!!
~Eeyore
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~ R.I.P. Darrell Abbott 12/08/04
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prettyday
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Reged: 02/09/03
Posts: 924
Loc: Coastal Sage Scrub
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You're right!
I retitled the thread.
and yeah, I would not go to my doc and say "hey that valium really helps my pain meds work!"
However, it seems to let me know it is working
--d'oh, so I am NOT out tooling around.
--take less of it, when I do need it.
--seems to relax my muscles better than Flexeril, which gives me a headache, and gives me mean dreams.
I was wondering if anyone else felt this way!
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First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
- Mahatma Gandhi
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Lablady2
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Reged: 05/05/04
Posts: 196
Loc: New York City
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Pain - esp chronic pain causes anxiety - and anxiety in turn exaccerbates pain. It is a well known medical fact that tense anxious people usually have a lower pain threshold than relaxed people who take things more in stride. Some people just plain have lousy nervous systems - and of course pain travels along your nerves - and well if you are also tense and anxious - then you have a double whammy going for you - not good.
I think that valium plus pain meds for the type of individual I just described is a "good thing" - but then please remember I am NOT an MD - only degrees in Bio.
I do have a feeling though that because of the general climate out there amongst the medical people - that you are going to have a difficult time getting both valium and pain meds from an MD - I wouldn't even think of asking because the climate today is just to let the poor patient suffer and prescribe Ibprofin or something of that nature.
In short - if it works for you - then do it - just don't overdo it!
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trixxie
Member
Reged: 05/23/03
Posts: 122
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PD, valium works for muscle pain, and if you have muscle pain, then it makes sense that it would work for you.
My PMD won't presribe it.
I wish he would.
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The truth shall set you free!
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johng
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Reged: 02/13/03
Posts: 354
Loc: great lakes
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when i was working on the ambulance we were allowed to admiminster ativan for sezuires. on the med sheet (info on how much to give method of action) it clearly stated that it had some (slight) pain relief properties. I was suprised to learn that. It was not for pain per say but it was an alternitive to give with morphine for acute pain.
johng
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Ask and it will be given to you Matthew 7:7
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IMSUSCOT1
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Reged: 10/23/02
Posts: 875
Loc: usa
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Valuim is a benzo, and it is an EXCELLENT muscle relaxant, but, do you really want to get a wicked addiction to relieve muscle spasms when there are good products on the market and other things you can do. A benzodiazepine addiction is DIFFICULT at best to defeat. and a valium addiction is a bear. Have you tried zanaflex or baclofen, both are excellent antispasmodics that work for spasms as a result of spinal cord problems. I would try one of them and try to wean off the valuim and ONLY use valuim when the others DO NOT work. Also add Ibuprophen 800 mgs three times a day with food, if you can tolerate it, take it ROUTINELY because it's an excellent anti inflammatory and it does help in the long run. Good luck
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MRNUTTY
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Reged: 12/15/03
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Loc: east coast. USA
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Quote:
Also add Ibuprophen 800 mgs three times a day with food, if you can tolerate it, take it ROUTINELY because it's an excellent anti inflammatory and it does help in the long run. Good luck
Naproxen OTC is also a great anti inflammatory, it's the only thing that works for my spinal stenosis. 'course you can't take it forever
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I don't have a signature; but if i did it would look like this. At least for now.
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IMSUSCOT1
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Reged: 10/23/02
Posts: 875
Loc: usa
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It is an excellent potentiator of pain meds, but again, it's a wickedly addictive drug and tolerence has almost no ceiling so I just don't think it's a good road to go down right off the bat...JMHO
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tone
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Reged: 06/29/03
Posts: 531
Loc: Chicago
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Valium has a real long half-life.
Its interesting that you mention that its a pain killer potentiator. i believe benzos ruin the effects of pain killers, thats my experience. interestingly enough, a key mechanism of opioids is to do a sort of oppisite of what benzos do, they BLOCK gaba release whereas benzos are gaba agonists..., but they only do this for very specific dopamine neurons in the nucleus acumbens so that those dopamine neurons fire more. this causes opioid's euphoria. Opioids.com by dave pearce of hedweb reads:
http://www.opioids.com/opiates.html
Quote:
GABA normally plays a braking role on the dopaminergic cells. Opioids and endogenous opioid neurotransmitters activate the presynaptic opioid receptors on GABA neurons. This inhibits the release of GABA in the ventral tegmental area. Inhibiting GABA allows the dopaminergic neurons to fire more vigorously. The release of extra dopamine in the nucleus accumbens is intensely pleasurable.
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Eeyore27
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Reged: 07/05/04
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Loc: Where Misery loves Company U...
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Quote:
Pain - esp chronic pain causes anxiety - and anxiety in turn exaccerbates pain. It is a well known medical fact that tense anxious people usually have a lower pain threshold than relaxed people who take things more in stride. Some people just plain have lousy nervous systems - and of course pain travels along your nerves - and well if you are also tense and anxious - then you have a double whammy going for you - not good.
That makes sense, but as far as people with anxiety having a lower threshold for pain, IME, that really isn't the case.
I say this to you now with agonizing spasms in my lower back, but my back woes started with me getting rear-ended in a car accident 5 years ago, an aggrivated injury sustained in work a few months ago, and a furniture rearranging mishap the other day.
I've been told that I have a somewhat "high" threshold for pain, I usually just take ibuprofen for minor pain, but when my back acts up like this, it seems like I have a really difficult time controlling it. God, I would kill for a Flexeril right about now...
I will agree with you that it effects your nervous system, I'm one of those people who have a lousy immune system, if someone sneezes 3 blocks away, I'll be sure to come down with it. Don't know if it's anxiety related, but it would make sense.
BTW, Pretty, I tried taking a full dose of 10 mg Valium earlier today to ease my back pain, and like I said, it knocked me out and I just woke up with back spasms about 20 minutes ago. I guess it was effective enough to help me get at least some sleep, though, so now I know why you asked the question, and glad that you did!
~Eeyore
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~ R.I.P. Darrell Abbott 12/08/04
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prettyday
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Reged: 02/09/03
Posts: 924
Loc: Coastal Sage Scrub
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Thank you all for the warning advice and alternatives....I would never want to be hooked on Valium; but I keep getting dosed Prozac and Ativan, so sometimes I just wish I could say, "if you are going to give me this anyways, can I have that? You know....
Yes, Valium sometimes is the only thing that unkinks back or lets me sleep with a painful back.
BUT: I was so impressed with IMUSCOTTI's advice about the Advil before, cause I had just gotten out of the ER with...all NEW ovarian cysts and diverticulitis, and the first thing that doctor said was, you guessed it, IBU800mg 3xdaily. IMU knows of what she speaks on all levels, it has been my pleasure to benefit from her experience and knowledge for quite a while now.
    
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First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
- Mahatma Gandhi
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prettyday
Threadhead
Reged: 02/09/03
Posts: 924
Loc: Coastal Sage Scrub
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But, and still, what would be a safe limit to allow oneself, when needed, and what would be a stop immediately sign.
I don't even have any. I just really would like to order some because this Ativan is not helping and the Prozac is, well, Prozac (Oh, and that is the only SSRI or AD that works for me, you don't want to see that list!  )
Thank you! Thank you again!    
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First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
- Mahatma Gandhi
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daddyj
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Reged: 02/06/03
Posts: 367
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It doesn't sound like your doctor gives you Ativan for the back pain, and it wouldn't necessarily help your back pain. Have you tried telling your doctor that you would prefer Valium? You can say that you had it prescribed to you before by a different doctor or something.
Anyway, I would prefer to take Valium, but I already take opiates, so I don't need another monkey on my back. Instead I take Soma, it's relatively cheap, non-controlled (in my state anyway, but it's controlled in some states, so check first) and doesn't cause physical dependence. I like it much better than Flexeril (knocks me out cold) or Zanaflex (doesn't do anything for me).
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Misty morning, clouds in the sky
Without warning, the wizard walks by
Casting his shadow, weaving his spell
Funny clothes, tinkling bell
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IMSUSCOT1
Threadhead
Reged: 10/23/02
Posts: 875
Loc: usa
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I guess ultimately it depends on the individual, but OFTEN valium is added in the recovery room and ICU settings to pain med orders specifically to potentiate the meds effectiveness and I can attest that just two weeks ago I was waking up from anesthesia UGLY, horrible pain and the nurse said she couldn't give me anymore pain meds, but she could give me some valium, I remember arguing with her, "no it WON'T work!!!!" but she did and it did help A LOT! So to each his/her own I guess.
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IMSUSCOT1
Threadhead
Reged: 10/23/02
Posts: 875
Loc: usa
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actually, when I first read the thread & responded, I didn't really take notice it was you, otherwise I probably wouldn't have worried as much, you've always struck me as very level headed. And thanks for the kind words...I swear by Ibuprophen and I can sure tell when I don't take it. Have you ever tried Zanaflex? DO you have insurance? If not most of the OP's will sell it, not sure of the cost as I get mine thru insurance not god awful, but not cheap either It is an excellent muscle relaxant and although it made me loopy at first, I got used to it. Since I just had my back discected down to the spine, I've had horrible spasms and I've been alternating the zanaflex with baclofen, I've found for me, it works best when I don't use one specific Muscle relaxant all the time. My doc also gave me Restoril for sleep (I just LOVE this doc) and it's also a benzo, so I'm sure that's helped with the spasms...that's an idea you might get some Restoril, tell him your insurance (again if you have some) won't cover Ambien that's what I did. I hope you find SOMETHING that works for you my friend
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Therion
Member
Reged: 06/14/04
Posts: 144
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Quote:
Hmmm...not sure about Valium for chronic pain. I thought it was supposed to be a anti-anxiety med, which is what I've taken it for.
Valium is actually prescribed for a number of ailments. I'm prescribed 10mg. #30/month for RLS. As an added benefit, Valium helps ease the tension headaches that I occasionally get from taking Norco. I know it's odd to get a headache from an analgesic, but there it is. I must have some weird body chemistry going on.
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Eeyore27
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Reged: 07/05/04
Posts: 375
Loc: Where Misery loves Company U...
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Quote:
I guess ultimately it depends on the individual, but OFTEN valium is added in the recovery room and ICU settings to pain med orders specifically to potentiate the meds effectiveness and I can attest that just two weeks ago I was waking up from anesthesia UGLY, horrible pain and the nurse said she couldn't give me anymore pain meds, but she could give me some valium, I remember arguing with her, "no it WON'T work!!!!" but she did and it did help A LOT! So to each his/her own I guess.
I've heard that, too. My sister's a nurse and she told me that in a lot of cases, they actually pre-medicate patients with Valium before surgery because it makes them less apprehensive and keeps them nice and calm before a procedure.
Now it all makes sense to me, why my old dentist was constantly asking me if I would like to take a Valium before I'd get dental work done. I just thought that he wanted me to pass out so he could molest me or something...j/k, but only half joking. You never really know what happens to you when you're knocked out. Hopefully just the dental work, but after I heard about that girl who got AIDS from her dentist, I was pretty reluctant to take him up on it and never did. I guess it probably should have dawned on me that Valium had some kind of effect on pain, but then again, I've primarily been on Xanax for my anxiety, so I really hadn't had too much experience with it. Oh well, live and learn, right?
~Eeyore
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~ R.I.P. Darrell Abbott 12/08/04
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Eeyore27
Board Addict
Reged: 07/05/04
Posts: 375
Loc: Where Misery loves Company U...
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Quote:
Have you ever tried Zanaflex?
Oh yes, I have tried Zanaflex. Built up a tolerance to it way too fast and had the most vivid, disturbing dreams of my life. Would like to try some Soma, though, since so many posters have sung the praises of how well it works for pain. I'm just afraid it's going to make me feel like a zombie. How long does it stay in your system? Do you wake up with a foggy feeling from it? Just curious
~Eeyore
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~ R.I.P. Darrell Abbott 12/08/04
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Listvoer
Board Addict
Reged: 01/14/04
Posts: 389
Loc: New America
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IMO & IME Soma is pretty darn mild. If you've been on benzos then i'd think soma wouldn't seem particularly strong. Also IMO, if you want to test out the Soma theory cheaply go with mastersmarketing.com . You can get a factory-sealed bottle of 100 for about $45 including shipping and it's about the best & most reliable bargain i've found over the past couple of years.
Good luck w/it all...
L
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Due to PM spam I rarely check mine so if you send me one, make sure to let me know...
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tone
Veteran
Reged: 06/29/03
Posts: 531
Loc: Chicago
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just one problem, mastersmarketing has a crude form which is also not secure which troubles me. it has all positive feedback though
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Listvoer
Board Addict
Reged: 01/14/04
Posts: 389
Loc: New America
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I do dislike that about MM, but I can't deny that i've used them so many times over the past years w/o a single problem. Like clockwork the meds always arrive within about a week, sometimes a little faster or slower, but always there. And if you have any questions they, at least IME, have been a breeze to deal with. I have nothing to gain by pushing them, I just have found their prices to be SO much lower than many OPs try to pass off as 'on special'.
L - still trying to go to bed... insomnia stinks!
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Due to PM spam I rarely check mine so if you send me one, make sure to let me know...
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timberland
Enthusiast
Reged: 07/10/04
Posts: 236
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Quote:
IMO & IME Soma is pretty darn mild. If you've been on benzos then i'd think soma wouldn't seem particularly strong. Also IMO, if you want to test out the Soma theory cheaply go with mastersmarketing.com . You can get a factory-sealed bottle of 100 for about $45 including shipping and it's about the best & most reliable bargain i've found over the past couple of years.
Good luck w/it all...
L
globalrxservice has 150 for $54, after shipping. And they're Wallace brand, too.
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Listvoer
Board Addict
Reged: 01/14/04
Posts: 389
Loc: New America
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even better price. Factory sealed bottles and fast fast delivery? If so I may have to change sources...
It beats the heck out of OPs that I could name that sell 90 soma for almost $300... GOSH! 
L
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Due to PM spam I rarely check mine so if you send me one, make sure to let me know...
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timberland
Enthusiast
Reged: 07/10/04
Posts: 236
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Quote:
even better price. Factory sealed bottles and fast fast delivery? If so I may have to change sources...
It beats the heck out of OPs that I could name that sell 90 soma for almost $300... GOSH!
L
Sorry for the delay in responding - 6 days from ordering to arrival at my door. They were in blister packs, made in India. There's a Wallace imprint on the front and a score down the middle in the back.
As for the potency, I took my first two today and woke up 4 hours later. I vaguely remember a feeling of very pleasant tactile sensation and some sorely-needed relaxation.
Globalrxservice has got to be the best IOP I've seen. Ultram, Buspar, Wellbutrin, Meridia, all for less than I've seen anywhere. I'll try to stop promoting them now, but they really knocked me over with their quality.
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