valium vs flexeril

[pn_person]

need some feedback from those who have tried both flexeril and valium for spasms causing pain and /or constipation

quite simply, which has been more effective?
wondering if there i s a consensus here among members who have tried both

I am currently on a high dose (did it on my own out of desperation)10mg 3x/day of valium,and my numbness has not improved at all, and the spasms causing the constipation might be helped to a very small degree..meanwhile I am tired all the time

thinking of switching to flexeril, so wanted to get some feedback before talking to my doc about it

thanks in advance for your help

take care, rob

[Celeste]

No medication will improve numbness. I have used Flexeril after an injury and it is very constipating. I'm not sure it is meant to be used long term but if you wanted to you should really consider using it along with a laxative such as Miralax. I only used Flexeril in the evening but then I was always very groggy the next day. It won't address anxiety such as Valium will do. For what it's worth, almost any medication used for neuropathic pain is going to cause sleepiness. With Neurontin or Lyrica it might get a little better in some people but you would have to see how you do on it.

[pn_person]

No medication will improve numbness. I have used Flexeril after an injury and it is very constipating. I'm not sure it is meant to be used long term but if you wanted to you should really consider using it along with a laxative such as Miralax. I only used Flexeril in the evening but then I was always very groggy the next day. It won't address anxiety such as Valium will do. For what it's worth, almost any medication used for neuropathic pain is going to cause sleepiness. With Neurontin or Lyrica it might get a little better in some people but you would have to see how you do on it.

wow, constipation has been a huge problem for me since my PNE issues started so I will stay a way from flexeril, already taking miralax regularly

taking increasing dose of neurontin, no help yet..doc did say it was typically for nerve pain but he thought it could help my numbness too pain doc said this, my neurologist does not think it will be effective for numbness

neurologist has sent me for mri's of sacral and lumbar spine and is now sending me for mri of the thoracic spine since the numbness is spreading to my lower abdomen and upper thighs where the PN has no sensory responsibility...everything more numb after BM even if don't have to strain too much..the smallest stretch of the perineum really makes it worse

likely headed for cortisone injection at the s3 level or so if it is determined that the neurontin has not been effective...still increasing dose and hoping each day for ANY improvement

still cant believe how my life has changed from fine to a disaster overnight less than a year ago..what a freakin nightmare, I hate it..why do we have to get something so rare and untreatable, ffffffffffffffffffffff

thanks!

[Lara]

need some feedback from those who have tried both flexeril and valium for spasms causing pain and /or constipation

quite simply, which has been more effective?
wondering if there i s a consensus here among members who have tried both

I am currently on a high dose (did it on my own out of desperation)10mg 3x/day of valium,and my numbness has not improved at all, and the spasms causing the constipation might be helped to a very small degree..meanwhile I am tired all the time

thinking of switching to flexeril, so wanted to get some feedback before talking to my doc about it

thanks in advance for your help

take care, rob

For me Valium in vaginal suppositories(10 mg twice a day) has worked a lot better than flexeril.

[pn_person]

thanks lara

I assume you are saying the valium is more effective for pain than the flexeril

any issues with constipation? if so, which has been helpful if either

[grerichm]

Hey there Pn Person, flexerill is not that constipating at all, you have to take it in 5 mg tablets, then increase your dose and see where you get the most benefit. I use 15 mg and together with metamucil (much easier on the body then miralax...i have bowel movements. Also, make sure that the doc gives you the cortsione shot in the s2 nerve root with either marcaine or lidocaine...you can use it as a diagnostic...i went through it last year. It will give you answers. Also when you get the mri of the lumbar spine, ask your doc for an mri of the hip with the surrounding muscles...i believe that pne is the end result of musculoskeletal-neuro problems, such as lumbar weakness, hip problems, both conspire to create this insidious disease..in many cases but not all. Valium is a long acting benzo, essentially a chill pill with muscle relaxer properties. Flexerill is also a chill pill and will address anxiety, but is a much stronger muscle relaxer because it has anticholinergic properties...essentially that is what causes the constipation. But if you drink lots of water plus metamucil you will be ok. Ask me any questions, i am quite familiar with muscle relaxers, i have taken or currently take, valium, flexerill, soma, skelaxin, tramadol, and i think flexerill is the best, but for rectal supp's, valium is the best.

Good luck,
Gregg