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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JohnX2 on December 3, 2001, at 7:34:25
2.5 days so far. Zanaflex (tizanidine) is similar
to clonodine.My dose was supposed to be 4 mg at night
and 2 mg in the morning. But I've changed it
to 2 mg every 3 hrs. LOL.At first it totally wiped me out, but I've
grown tolerant to the drowsiness and I have
substantially reduced my Klonopin dose because
I'm running low. But the Zanaflex seems to be
completely curing my headache and by
now with the klonopin drop off I normally would
be cussing and throwing stuff and wanting to
kill myself, but I'm actually in no pain and
just a hair nervous. slight dry mouth too.-john
Posted by JohnX2 on December 3, 2001, at 10:47:41
In reply to Zanaflex follow up., posted by JohnX2 on December 3, 2001, at 7:34:25
I feel pretty confident that this is my anti-dote.
I feel less anxious and depressed even with
my klonopin dosing reduced. I wonder how much
of my dysthymia could be a function of the
depressant effects of Klonopin.Fortunately, I was able to get my pharmacy to
early refill my Klonopin. Hopefully this is
the last time.This Zanaflex dosing sucks though. I wonder
if it really is any better than clonidine.
I'd much rather take the clonidine xr patch or
maybe another long acting alpha-2 agonist like
guanfacine (Tenex).-john
>
> 2.5 days so far. Zanaflex (tizanidine) is similar
> to clonodine.
>
> My dose was supposed to be 4 mg at night
> and 2 mg in the morning. But I've changed it
> to 2 mg every 3 hrs. LOL.
>
> At first it totally wiped me out, but I've
> grown tolerant to the drowsiness and I have
> substantially reduced my Klonopin dose because
> I'm running low. But the Zanaflex seems to be
> completely curing my headache and by
> now with the klonopin drop off I normally would
> be cussing and throwing stuff and wanting to
> kill myself, but I'm actually in no pain and
> just a hair nervous. slight dry mouth too.
>
> -john
Posted by judy1 on December 3, 2001, at 11:54:05
In reply to Re: Zanaflex follow up., posted by JohnX2 on December 3, 2001, at 10:47:41
I'm glad zanaflex is working for you- it did nothing for me. It's a muscle relaxant, right? Is pain your main problem? If so, you should really go (like one of the last poster's said) to a pain clinic- at least they know what they're doing there. Take care- judy
Posted by JohnX2 on December 3, 2001, at 17:11:47
In reply to Re: Zanaflex follow up. » JohnX2, posted by judy1 on December 3, 2001, at 11:54:05
> I'm glad zanaflex is working for you- it did nothing for me. It's a muscle relaxant, right? Is pain your main problem? If so, you should really go (like one of the last poster's said) to a pain clinic- at least they know what they're doing there. Take care- judy
Zanaflex is a centrally activating alpha-2
adrenoreceptor partial agonist. It
inhibits cns nerve signals and it also
inhibits firing in a stress center of the brain.It is primarily used as an anti-spasmodic,
but its actions in the brain give it properties
similar to clonidine which can be helpful for
anxiety disorders (which neurologically can
cause pain like tension headaches). Treating
the anxiety disorder by the pdocs
treats the pain (serzone,klonopin,zyprexa),
and the treatments for the pain by the neurologists
(neurontin,zanaflex) indirectly treats the anxiety.
They are inter-related in my mind.BTW, I picked up my klonopin refill after
missing a few doses. In the mean time while i
was missing the doses, the zanaflex was working
to alleviate my headaches and anxiety. When i
picked up the klonopin and took a dose and missed
a zanaflex dose (which has a very short 1/2 life),
I felt very panicky.-john
Posted by JGalt on December 3, 2001, at 17:28:21
In reply to Re: Zanaflex follow up. » judy1, posted by JohnX2 on December 3, 2001, at 17:11:47
Glad to hear its working for you...by the way, I consider klonopin a very potent dysthmic, at least when used acutely...I can't feel anything on that.
Agreed that the guafacine would be a lot easier to use though.On a mostly unrelated note, know anything that could cure a muscle that goes is in a constant state of pain whenever I do anything weightlifting wise? Its a very very tiny muscle, right at waistline vertically, and about 2-3.5" (its about 1.5" in long, runs equatorially) to the left of my spine. It goes into spasm whenever I do squats or deadlifts...Its so small, I can't imagine it being too important, oughta just have the stupid thing removed. Would an antispasmodic work for that?
Posted by JohnX2 on December 3, 2001, at 17:56:32
In reply to Re: Zanaflex follow up. » JohnX2, posted by judy1 on December 3, 2001, at 11:54:05
Hi Judy,
I forgot to ask you what you were using
Zanaflex for?-John
> I'm glad zanaflex is working for you- it did nothing for me. It's a muscle relaxant, right? Is pain your main problem? If so, you should really go (like one of the last poster's said) to a pain clinic- at least they know what they're doing there. Take care- judy
Posted by judy1 on December 3, 2001, at 19:13:04
In reply to Re: Zanaflex follow up. » judy1, posted by JohnX2 on December 3, 2001, at 17:56:32
Hi John,
I have chronic pain problems (cervical herniated discs) and it was prescribed for muscle spasms. It didn't help, but opioids did (with a nice added anti-depressant effect).- judy
Posted by JohnX2 on December 3, 2001, at 20:54:52
In reply to Re: Zanaflex follow up. » JohnX2, posted by judy1 on December 3, 2001, at 19:13:04
Jane,Zanaflex is the 1st non-addictive susbtance
besides Serzone to substantially relieve
my myofacial pain. Klonopin works best, and
Zyprexa has helped some. Adderall also worked.
Strange list of meds that worked, but I think
there is a connection to the puzzle..I've thought about opiods, but only as a last
resort especially after my problems with
Klonopin addiction.What is the typical opiod route?
-John
> Hi John,
> I have chronic pain problems (cervical herniated discs) and it was prescribed for muscle spasms. It didn't help, but opioids did (with a nice added anti-depressant effect).- judy
Posted by JohnX2 on December 3, 2001, at 21:07:45
In reply to Re: Zanaflex follow up. » judy1, posted by JohnX2 on December 3, 2001, at 20:54:52
>
> Jane,Oops, Judy! Sorry.
-john
>
> Zanaflex is the 1st non-addictive susbtance
> besides Serzone to substantially relieve
> my myofacial pain. Klonopin works best, and
> Zyprexa has helped some. Adderall also worked.
> Strange list of meds that worked, but I think
> there is a connection to the puzzle..
>
> I've thought about opiods, but only as a last
> resort especially after my problems with
> Klonopin addiction.
>
> What is the typical opiod route?
>
> -John
>
>
> > Hi John,
> > I have chronic pain problems (cervical herniated discs) and it was prescribed for muscle spasms. It didn't help, but opioids did (with a nice added anti-depressant effect).- judy
Posted by AnneL on December 3, 2001, at 23:36:12
In reply to Zanaflex follow up., posted by JohnX2 on December 3, 2001, at 7:34:25
Dear JohnX2,
I'am curious, we have mentioned a pain management specialist twice. Have you consulted with a pain management specialist? IMO, a good pain management specialist is more adept at treating chronic pain and addiction issues than a Pdoc. I understand you are also seeing a neurologist. How 'bout a consult with a pain management specialist to at least coordinate your pain meds and help deal with your *addiction* to Klonopin as you call it (dependence may also be a good description). :) AnneL
Posted by judy1 on December 4, 2001, at 3:13:44
In reply to Re: Zanaflex follow up - Judy!, posted by JohnX2 on December 3, 2001, at 21:07:45
Hi,
I'm not sure of your psychiatric diagnosis- is it depression because of your pain? I apologize you've probably written it many times before. I take (tapering now because of pregnancy) fentanyl (in patch form) which is the most powerful opiate/opioid (10x than morphine). But a lot of people on this board have gotten relief from treatment-resistant depression with hydrocodone (Lortabs), oxycontin, etc. I mentioned because of my bipolar disorder I can't take AD's, so that is what's left for depression for me. Take care, judy
Posted by JohnX2 on December 10, 2001, at 15:32:14
In reply to Zanaflex follow up., posted by JohnX2 on December 3, 2001, at 7:34:25
I've given up on Zanaflex for the time being
because the 1/2 life is just way to short to
make the dosing manageable. But I believe its
partial alpha-2 agonism makes it a useful
noradrenergic "buffer" medication and may be
helful as an adjunct in TRD associated with
response followed by poop out.There is a sustained released version in
Europe called "Sirdalud" that I am investigating.-john
>
> 2.5 days so far. Zanaflex (tizanidine) is similar
> to clonodine.
>
> My dose was supposed to be 4 mg at night
> and 2 mg in the morning. But I've changed it
> to 2 mg every 3 hrs. LOL.
>
> At first it totally wiped me out, but I've
> grown tolerant to the drowsiness and I have
> substantially reduced my Klonopin dose because
> I'm running low. But the Zanaflex seems to be
> completely curing my headache and by
> now with the klonopin drop off I normally would
> be cussing and throwing stuff and wanting to
> kill myself, but I'm actually in no pain and
> just a hair nervous. slight dry mouth too.
>
> -john
Posted by edgaras on August 2, 2007, at 21:01:36
In reply to Re: Zanaflex follow up - sustained release, posted by JohnX2 on December 10, 2001, at 15:32:14
Just got 2 mg pills for my jaw pain. Will see what happens. Starting off with 1 mg. It appears that my jaw pain is related to TMJ problem, more of a structural and anatomic problem with alignment of the joint. MRI/CT is showing degeneration of condyle head, with possible cyst in the area as well. I'm sure there is psychosomatic component as well - anxiety might cause increase in pain so will see what happens.
There was some discussion on clonidine, so to add my 2 cents, clonidine is used for hypertension, and has much higher potency (doses of .1 mg).
Interestingly, another "muscle relaxer" cyclobenzaprine has totalally different mechanism. It "binds to the serotonin receptor and is considered a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist that reduces muscle tone by decreasing the activity of descending serotonergic neurons." In contrast to hypotensive clonidine and zanaflex, this drug has been shown to "increase heart rate in animals".
I tried cyclobenzaprine and all it did was produce
drowsiness. I remember leaving the stove on and falling asleep to wake up to room full of smoke. Not good idea to start cooking on muscle relaxers.
From what I remember, it didn't do much for pain.
This is the end of the thread.
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