Intro and Skelaxin questions

February 3, 2006

Hi my name is Kyt (pronounced Kit),

I have been dealing with chronic pain in my neck (at least for the last 4 yrs

since I had my hysterectomy) and been to 5 different PT's, 3 neurologists, 3

chiropractors and a pain management specialist. I have had all kinds of

responses to my quest for relief from just pushing any medication to dope me up

to " You are old, just get used to it and buck up " (at the time I was 50 when

this dr said this to me and I consider myself anything but old.(I am 53, just

finished up my bachelors degree and graduated suma cum laude, attractive, in

great shape, thin and active until starting work 6 months ago). I had

unsuccessful 2 epidural blocks in my neck that caused other problems. I have a

home traction unit and a tens unit and I use neither as they aggravate my

muscles and make the pain worse. I get regular massages but any more they seem

to make the flares worse. Acitvites like sitting at the computer for long

periods of time (which is my job) and vacuuming or lifting make it worse. Lately

I have been under a lot of stress (remarriage,a new home, new job, children

moving back home due to divorce) and I am hurting more than usual.Because of the

agony I started back on my Ultracet which I had only used for emergencies.

My neweset chiropractor sent me to a Rheumatologist and he has scheduled me for

another MRI (my 3rd) today. The rheumy had a total different take on it than the

neurologists/pain management people. He said it is arthritis in my vertebrae and

it is pushing on my spinal column and this causes the muscle spasms and the

tense muscles.

Meanwhile he gave me Skelaxin to take. I can only take 1/2 and only twice a day

or it really makes me ill. I noticed Dawn explained Flexril and said it was

related to the old tricyclics- is Skelaxin as well? Does anyone take this

medication and what do you think?

In the past I have been given anti-inflamatory drugs and I ended up with gastro

reflux and they thought I had an ulcer- so my system is really sensitive. I

don't do well on drugs and am allergic to most narcotics (they make me itch, my

throat swells shut and I get hives). So far other than migraines and stomach

upset if I only use 400mg of the Skelaxin twice a day, I seem to tolerate it.

I have Ultracet (tramadol and tylenol) from the neurologist. When I started

taking the skelaxin with it, it dramatically enhanced the Ultracet so that I can

function a lot better and I am finally starting to sleep through the night

again.

Thanks and I look forward to reading everyone's posts.

kyt

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