Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion Helpful Tips Muscle Spasms

Hello All:

Does anyone have any advice for muscle spasms. I have fusion in the hips/pelvis and for about the last 3 weeks now if I lay down for more than 30 minutes, I have severe, bring you to your knees, cry out for mercy type muscle spasms in my lower back. Yes this makes it tuff to get a nights sleep. 2 hours at best before I get up (painfully) and strectch, walk, sit, until spasms subside, then back to sleep for another hour or 2, then repeat above.

I have been on Enbrel about 3-4 months and try to swim or do stretching exercises daily. The exercises seem to make it worse. Also I take Vicadan & Relefin & they don't even touch this pain.

I'm not complaining as life is good & I am blessed to be alive. I would however LOVE to slow down or minimize these spasms.

Any sugggestions would be appreciated.

Hi Jeff

I have been having the same type of muscle spasms for the past 5 years and so far nothing has helped me. I have been to the Doctor and he says that there is nothing he can do for me but try and help me with the pain with meds. ( that don't really do as much as I would like them to.

John

Hi John/Jeff

I believe that Flexeril was developed specifically for muscle spasms and muscle cramping.

Have you or Jeff tried them?

George

Hi George

I have tried Flexeril but it did nothing for the muscle spasms in my case and I have tried others as well with no help.

John

The only treatment that worked well for my spasms John, was deep needle penetration of the muscles. This took away the tightness in the muscle and relaxed it completely. I often fell asleep while the treatment was going on.

George

Hi John,

I was on Flexeril first, 5mg 3x daily and 10mg at bedtime. It didn't help nearly enough, and kept me really groggy during the day, making my job difficult.

I've been on Soma (300mg 3x daily) for many months now, and it not only helped much better with the spasms on a daily maintenance level, but it doesn't make me groggy - even though the label says it should. I still have my Flexeril Rx filled regularly, and take 10mg at bedtime every night along with my Soma - helping me relax and sleep a little better (which is soooo precious to an AS/Fibromyalgia sufferer!!) at least for the first 4 hours of the night.

I also take Flexeril along with my Soma during the day when I am having my really BAD BAD BAD flares and can't go to work anyway.

Hope this helps you!

Candi

I have not tried any meds specifically for muscle relaxation. I know the Vicidan does not do squat for them. I tried muscle relaxers before in my mid 20's (before I knew I had AS,[48 now & diagnosed this year] but had terrible spasms for a few years. I must say I did not like the side effects back then. They worked too good on the wrong muscles (unfavorable sexual side effects)

There is a relatively harmless herb that is great for muscle spasms but, unfortunately, it is illegal. I know it works because I ignored the law for years. It's the law that's criminal...IMHO.

Hello Jeff

My husband has had AS for years and what worked for some of his muscle spasms was simply taking multivitamins with minerals. If some people eat poorly, have stomach/absorption problems or taking some medicines , all those type of interactions affect mineral uptake in your body. If you dont have enough magnesium in your body, it affects the ability of your muscles to relax. (which would explain why excercise made your pain worse)

while it didnt get rid of all his muscle spasms especially if he'd been overdoing something at work, just taking the plain ordinary Safeway type multivitamin with minerals tablet once a day got rid of 95% of the problem within a few days of starting them. I hope this will be of help to you. I know how hard it is for your wife to watch you in this pain.

Those bean-bag things you heat in the microwave are good for easing muscle cramps,too. If you cant afford the pharmacy brand, you can make one yourself with a cotton bag and some rice. It'll do the same thing but must be kept dry.

take care and stay well BlueNorthern

Just wanted you to know I feel for you...

I just over the last 6 months have developed back spasms, something I have never dealt with before.

You are right they take my breath away, I probly will talk to my Dr about some muscle relaxers to take when they get bad.

Lisa