shoulders and meds (particularly muscle relaxants)

[Sandy L]

I wrote down some of the medications which people say that they find successful and told my GP (as diazepam isn't doing anything apart from making me ill) and she refused to prescribe any of them because hadn't heard of them or not drugs that she would prescribe for muscle spasm. Could anyone say who prescribed their drugs? e.g. orphenadrine, methocarbamol, metaxalone/Skelaxin. was it a rheumatol or HMS specialist? many thanks.

The brand name for orphenadrine was Norflex--it should be available as a generic. It works reasonably well for some. Robaxin is the brand name for methocarbamol. It, too, works for some. Zanaflex (tizanidine) is the only muscle relaxer that a patient has come back and spontaneously told me made a big difference, but it is still under patent (or at least was the last time I checked) and is pricey. I often prescribe cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) as much for its benefit in providing a restful sleep as for the anti-spasm effect. Patients like Soma (carisoprodol), but it is a sedative, not much different in its effects from a standard alcoholic drink. Neurologists like baclofen, but the few times I've prescribed it haven't left me too enthusiastic. My wife (who turned out to be hypermobile) gets along well with chlorzoxazone (Parafon Forte).

[paw]

Sandy, I have been using Flexeril (the yellow one) for about 18 months. For the first couple of months if I took it that meant it was time for bed -- no matter what time of day it was when I needed to take it for spasms and tremors.

Now I take it at maybe 6 pm and I am still awake as late as 3 am. Some nights I am still awake at 7 am. It does not make me sleepy anymore and I really wish it did. I could use some sleep.

[Jooolz]

I had a very successful anterior interior capsular shift op on my left shoulder about 4 years ago. ( Before that the left shoulder was dislocating at its worst about 4 times a day).

Previously I had had 2 decompressions on the right shoulder - but it dislocated in the autumn and now my consultant has said he thinks i need another anterior interior capsular shift op on my right shoulder.

In the last 18 months I have had an ankle op ( very successful) anterior and posterior pelvic floor repairs ( both seem to be successful).

I am a little concerned about the pain management because I am allergic to anti inflammatories and last time I was in hospital I had a reaction to Morphine - big red blotches all over my face ...and general feeling of being unwell. So now it has been suggested that I ought not have morphine either.

I do not cope well with pain ...and

Unfortunately the last time I was in this particular hospital I had a bad experience with pain control - they took me off the morphine very quickly and then
I was not given regular doses of the pain killers.

I am worried about what they will be able to give me in stead of morphine- I have asked to speak to the anesthetist before hand - and the consultant's secretary said she would speak to the nursing staff to ensure that I get my meds on time.. and to let them know about my low pain threshold. So I feel that we are managing the situation a bot better this time....

has anyone had acupuncture soon after an op?
any ideas about non anti inflammatory meds for pain ?
I can take diazepam - but don't know if that will be any good for post op pain?

[Jooolz]

Since I last posted - it seems that they are prepared to give me morphine - and they are also going to give me a 'nerve block' via a needle and tube in the neck to the shoulder. I have been so impressed by the caring and careful response they have given me at the hospital in prep for the op.
I am interested if anyone has had a nerve block for pain control in the shoulder after a shoulder op....... ????????
.

[paw]

I had the nerve block for the shoulder surgery. I had a total reconstruction on the right shoulder. The anesthesiologist talked to me, I reminded him of my drug allergies, then he put a little tube into my bicep. He injected medicine into the tube and the whole arm became dead weight. He came back into the room a few minutes later and asked me to move that arm. I could not move it at all. He smiled and said that was just what he was looking for. He checked it for sensation and I could not feel him poke it.

I also had an IV sedation and anti-nausea drug. I went home with a pain pump. It was a little bottle that had a suction device in it that auto-dispensed some medication into that little tube from the nerve block. That lasted for 24 hours after the surgery then I was supposed to pull out the catheter. It was tiny, just a very thin tube a couple inches long. It only needed a small bandage after that. My arm was in the immobilizer sling for a month, then I started physio.

I have read that the pain pump has caused damage to the cartilage in the shoulder. Some of them have been recalled in the USA. I would not have one again because I would be afraid of causing damage. I don't know if the damage that occured in my shoulder when I was healing was due to the collagen problem or due to the drug. I really suspect it was the collagen, but the pain pump might have made it more likely for me to tear again.

After surgery they did have me on Ibuprophin (can't have that again), and on hydrocodone. If you know you react to morphine, should you start with something like hydrocodone? It made me sick to my stomach, nausea but I gradually got used to it and I needed pain control. I was also on an antibiotic because one of my stitches (I only had a couple stitches) popped out and it got a little infected.

Good luck with your surgery and recover.

[Stone]

I was also on an antibiotic because one of my stitches (I only had a couple stitches) popped out and it got a little infected.

Yep, don't forget to remind them about your skin not being quite normal! They can use a different stitch pattern to put the skin under less tension so they're less likely to pull through the edges. Don't let them staple you shut unless you have a fondness for scarring

Stone

[Ruby]

I've had a 'dead arm' for 2 days now and I'm not sure what to do. My shoulder is moving about and when I try to lift my arm I get really sharp pain in my shoulder and my arm becomes so weak it suddenly drops. I've taken paracetamol and dehhydracodeine but it still hurts and is really weak? If I keep my arm by my side I gettingling/shooting pains. Any suggestions?

[Ruby]

Cheers SR, I felt like Alanis Morrisette but yeah I can get my hand in my back pocket but it hurt like heck. I'm off to see prof ferrel at end if this month. If I still can't move it tomorrow I'll see gp but I'm wary coz they never know what to do. At least I have an idea now as to what it could be it just doesn't feel like the usual.

[Ruby]

He he someone should tell that to my 31 year old body

[RosanneI]

I have been on and off muscle relaxers for about 16 years now. Valium is about the only thing that works for me. The doctors I have been to don't believe that I am in pain. So I don't get it or anything else that is Rx. This is going to sound really odd but it helps me. 2 cups of apple cider vinegar into my tub and then soak in steamy hot water. It sounds gross but it has helped me quite a bit. In my opinion it has worked better than epsons or any other soak. Getting in and out of the tub can be a pain so I usally have help. Btw a few drops of essential oils can help with the smell and a shower after.

[cranionaut]

I have been on and off muscle relaxers for about 16 years now. Valium is about the only thing that works for me. The doctors I have been to don't believe that I am in pain. So I don't get it or anything else that is Rx. This is going to sound really odd but it helps me. 2 cups of apple cider vinegar into my tub and then soak in steamy hot water. It sounds gross but it has helped me quite a bit. In my opinion it has worked better than epsons or any other soak. Getting in and out of the tub can be a pain so I usally have help. Btw a few drops of essential oils can help with the smell and a shower after.

This is interesting because I recently took cider vinegar too , well rather drank it , along with a herbal supplement thats well known for inducing relaxation called , " Bacopa " .

As it turns out I didnt actually take this to relax my muscles at all , but it seems by doings so not only managed to improve my neuropathy , but also my swollen ankles and other neuromuscular issues as well.

When I tired the cider vinegar however i was not so successfuly , so it seems, at least for me , the Bacopa is/WAS far more effective , and not quite so effective by itself, as when combined with the vinegar.

Just my 2 cents.

cheers.

cranio . matt

[notsparklynow]

Hi all
I'm after some advice.
I've had a horrid headache all day (hormonal) and this has now spread to my neck and left shoulder. It feels like I've been lifting weights but i haven't exerted myself at all. my neck is cricking and i hurt so much i could cry. I have no pain medication other than paracetamol as i haven't been presricbed anything yet.
What can I do to ease the stiffness and pain? I can't sit like this for the next few days

notsparkly

[sueiz]

Hi notsparkly,

I find heat helps me relax, especially when stiff or sore. i've got a wheat heat bag stuffed into my waistband at the moment for backpain and also use deep heat rub. For headache, try a cool damp cloth. otherwise, rest & sleep if possible...

Gentle & hope you're feeling less sore soon x

Sue

[notsparklynow]

thanks Sue
I found some other painkillers that I forgot I had left over from a while back - and my hubby gave me a lovely massage which helped relax me. I don't feel perfect - but at least I don't want to cry now!

Thanks

[notsparklynow]

meant to say - i'll look into heat as something to use in the future.
thanks