Please help, my burning and pain is in my arm, usually only hurts when I move it up or away from me. I don't know if I have RSD or not, I posted a thread this morning 'scraped'...please read and reply if you can. I'm not getting answers from my dr and I don't know what to do.

Please help, my burning and pain is in my arm, usually only hurts when I move it up or away from me. I don't know if I have RSD or not, I posted a thread this morning 'scared'..please read and reply if you can. I'm not getting answers from my dr and I don't know what to do.

Thanks for this thread Debbie!

For those who are familiar with Baclofen, do you have to take it regularly every day for it to work the best? I'm supposed to take it 4x/day, but I get busy during the day and forget, until my back spasms kick in.
Some of the other ones, such as klonopin are on an 'as needed' basis for immediate relief. I have this on hand, but no matter what I do, the spasms seem to break through!
So frustrating!!

Thanks,
Rae

Yes, I believe baclofen should be taken on a regular basis

I just recently started with the spasms and twitching and it is very annoying and sometimes painful. I don't believe mine are as painful as some here.

When I called my pain doc to get a prescription, he gave me Zanaflex. He also told me, and actually really stressed to only take it every other day, as it will become totally ineffective if it's taken too often. I asked him if there was another one that would be better to take more often if I really needed to and he said that was the case with any muscle relaxant.

Do any of you feel that yours has become less effective over time?

I am hoping I won't need it soon....I was just approved yesterday for the SCS trial. It will be happening this coming Tuesday! Totally shocked me that it was only four days from the time it was submitted until the day it was approved!

I, too, have tried many muscle relaxants over my 15 RSD years, and agree that Soma works very well. Its use has been declining since most clinicians know that it's metabolized by the liver to meprobamate (Miltown and other brands), a C-IV drug whose use has been virtually curtailed in favor of the benzos.

Valium works really well, but there are many examples of folks (like me) developing intense tolerance even at fairly low doses. I took 5mg qid for four months, and when I stopped, I didn't sleep for eight continuous nights. I was young and inexperienced and did not taper, which is nuts. Still, the degree of tolerance was amazing.

For general safety, lack of psychological effects, and long-term efficacy with no development of tolerance, baclofen works great for me.

HB

Interesting thread. I've been on Norflex twice a day an flexeril at night. Flexeril used to work pretty good for me years back when I would be put on it occasionally for muscle tightness.

I don't think either are helping my issue now. I get horrible muscle tightness in my neck and shoulder. My PMD has been giving me 2 injections in my neck every month when I go in. It works great, but is short lived and it comes right back a few days later. I see him in a couple weeks and I plan to discuss trying something else.

take note of my mood aboveBelieve it or not, I really am interested in a response. I've responded in a couple of threads and I'm beginning to feel ignored.

I don't feel an every other day muscle relaxant is working for me. I have muscle spasms [B]every[B] day. I really do want to know if anyone's muscle relaxant is losing effectiveness over time. I want some responses. I need relief every day. Please.

I do hear you Kymmie. I know you are frustrated. I am here to listen too, just didn't respond because I only have PN. Your situation, is going to require a doctor who will actually listen to you. If you need help with the pain and spasms every day, taking a pill every other day isn't going to do much for you. You need adequate pain control with a muscle relaxant so your quality of life is better. Do you see pain management? do you keep a journal to show your doctor exactly what you are experiencing. do you let her or him know just how bad it is????? The sqeeky cog gets the greese, and you may have to speak up a little louder to your doctor. RSD and CRPS HURTS I know it does. I have a friend who has it, I see the pain and hear his cries. Soma is good for spasms, especially combined with some kind of narcotic. You may want to invest your time and seek a physiatrist. This is a pain management doctor who also specializes in the "whole" person on a cellular level. This is the kind of doctor I go see. In fact I go tomorrow to address my own pain issue. I will listen and try to help in any way I can. You are not alone, and you can talk to me any time. You are in my thoughts and prayers right now. ginnie

Thank you for your reply and for your help, Ginnie. I'm afraid I don't know what PN means.

To answer your questions, yes, I do see a pain management doctor. I really, really adore him and trust him. I'm hoping after Tuesday that I won't need a muscle relaxant. Hopefully this SCS trial will be a success and then the permanent also.

He must have some reason to tell me that every other day is better, but I have to admit, years ago, I was taking soma, multiple times each day. I don't get it.
I have not been keeping a journal. I don't know how to go about organizing it or anything.

As far as a physiatrist goes...my insurance will not cover it, except at an outrageous copay...I simply cannot afford it. We have been having serious financial problems lately. It just won't happen.

Thank you again.
You are very kind...I have noticed that, thru reading all of your responses over this board, and I will remember that kindness.