Guest guest Posted January 20, 2009 Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 Anyone ever use Zanaflex (Tizanidine) before? How does it compare to Flexeril? Better, the same, worse?? Please let me know. Just went to the new physiatrist and they still think it's only muscoskeletal, have recommended more physical therapy, muscle relaxers, and plain x-rays on neck and scapula. I am about to give up. e Swap Your Paperback Books http://www.paperbackswap.com/index.php?r_by=booksforever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2009 Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 Hi e, I take Zanaflex 3x's a day. It has helped the horrible muscle knot that I get next to my shoulder blade. I dont get it nearly as often as I use to. It has not worked miracles for me but it HAS helped a bit. I cant tell you if its better than Flexeril because I could not take Flexeril. It made me feel really bad the next day, it made me feel like my equilibrium was messed up. I can tell you that Zanaflex is one of those that does not seem to help if you dont take it on a regular basis (at least not for ME) Or maybe I just wasnt on a high enough dose for it to work like that for me.... I take 2mg. I was told that I could go up to 4mg 3's a day but I cant. It makes me too sleepy if I take that much and I still work part time 4 days a week. Best wishes, I hope it helps. Liz -- The Pets Pal http://360./petspal2003 -------------- Original message from " e " <JBrewe@...>: -------------- Anyone ever use Zanaflex (Tizanidine) before? How does it compare to Flexeril? > Better, the same, worse?? > Please let me know. Just went to the new physiatrist and they still think it's only muscoskeletal, have recommended more physical therapy, muscle relaxers, and > plain x-rays on neck and scapula. I am about to give up. > > > e > > Swap Your Paperback Books > http://www.paperbackswap.com/index.php?r_by=booksforever > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 Please e, don't give up. Musculo-skeletal problems can be just as painful and persistent as spinal nerve problems--the main difference being that there will not be the pain, tingling and numbness extending down your arms. Do you have pain and tingling running down one or both arms? If not, you may very well have only musculo-skeletal problems and the treatment for that is 1--reduction of pain through muscle relaxers, anti-inflamatories, mild stretching, heat, electrical stimulation, mild back and shoulder massage and mild joint mobilizations 2-when pain is lessened the important part begins and that is the strengthening exercises, which should emphasize posture such as straightening the back, especially middle to upper back and a chest forward posture so the head is balanced thus taking the constant stress off the back neck muscles, strengthening of the shoulder blade area (especially shoulder blade fixation), upper back and some careful neck strengthening especially the muscles at the front of the neck, which are often weak in people with sore necks because the back neck muscles are doing all the work from the constant head forward posture. Maintaining good posture when standing, walking is a bit easier than when sitting (esp. in front of a computer where you will notice that you tend to sit forward instead of keeping your back against the back of the chair) Good posture is tough to accomplish but necessary to reduce neck pain and sometimes you can get rid of the pain altogether if you don't have too much arthritic damage and nerve pinching. One word of caution about muscle relaxers. If used too long, going off them will result in rebound muscle tension and spasm. The body is always trying to overcome what we do to it. In this case, if we reduce muscle activity with muscle relaxers, the body (actually the brain) will increase muscle tension. This is also the reason that muscle relaxers lose effect and new ones with a different mode of action must be used. This is also the basis of addiction to any drug. So don't overdo the muscle relaxers. I actually found that they never really helped me. (I took both zanaflex, flexeril (both of which made me feel terrible) and benzodiazipines, which I stayed on too long and resulted in terrible rebound muscle spasms where I couldn't turn my head.) But I do understand that those with nerve compression and damage may need to always use muscle relaxers and pain killers. Those with chronic pain do what they need to do to get through the day. Hope this helps, Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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