Posted by HannahBeGood on February 23, 2003, at 23:40:38
In reply to Neck Pain, is there another answer ?, posted by SBOATRN on February 19, 2003, at 15:30:31
> I have noticed a number of people having neck and shoulder discomfort with many different meds. I have had some problem with this, particularly dosing down on Klonopin. My anxiety will be well controlled but the discomfort will still be there. I've had it checked out and while there is some mild arthritis, nothing to really be excited about. Is it simply a tension issue ??? Or is there a rationale for this other than a tension ??? Why does this seem to be a common complaint on psychopharmacy meds ??? Any knowledge or info on this ???
Hello~
As a fellow neck/shoulder/back pain person, I am curious-have you or did you ever, even if it was seldom, suffer from neck pain, discomfort, or 'cricks' as we call them down south, before meds? Or is this something you have noticed only with taking meds?Yes, meds can make such problems worse (much) or even seem to cause them. Since I have been dx'd w/fibromyalgia(which I don't believe is accurate) 1 herniated cervical disc, 2 herniated lumbar discs and chronic myofascial pain syndrome (I believe my worst pain culprit) there are lots of things that cd. be causing your neck pain, that were possibly overlooked by a first physical inspection.
And I found wellbutrin to be intolerable due to the tension it created in my upper back muscles. Drinking alcohol also causes an immediate build-up of toxins in my upper back/shoulder area. People w/myofascial pain suffer intense soft tissue pain, because the fascia, or membraine that surrounds the muscle tends to become stiff and constrict blood flow to the suffering muscles where lactic acid and various toxins become trapped. Often, nothing but a vigorous, somewhat painful type of massage can break through the fascia and restore proper circulation, alleviating pain. But, it is worth it, believe me.
If you are a depression patient for whom only certain A_D's help, and they cause you pain, consider researching neck pain, etc. Klonopin used to work for me. It is still a great anxyolitic and mood stabilizer, but not as good a muscle relaxer as it once was. when I cannot control my neck pain with Advil, aspirin, warm water soaks and specific exercises (which can be very beneficial-are a must to the chronic muscular pain sufferer-as is stretching and relaxation tools-breathing,etc.), along with heating pads, I will use Soma (carisoprodal 350), up to 3-4 times daily is allowed. When in dire pain, I will take 2 carisoprodal and one or 2 darvocette, then lie down on my heating pad. This has eradicated the pain for me for the past 2 yrs.
Try exercises, stretching, breathing and mechanical self massage, heat first-and u may find more relief from this rather common side effect than you expect. MOst importantly, do not do nothing. Lying in bed for any extended length of time due to back and cervical pain can worsen your condition, causing less mobility and greater pain.
And, you may benefit greatly from switching anxyolitics, but that will not be the complete answer to your maximum benefit of pain relief.
Hope you feel better soon-any questions, feel free to ask~
Hannah
poster:HannahBeGood
thread:201897
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030219/msgs/203239.html