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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 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 ???
Posted by bozeman on February 19, 2003, at 19:59:51
In reply to Neck Pain, is there another answer ?, posted by SBOATRN on February 19, 2003, at 15:30:31
For some reason I am thinking that dehydration has something to do with it (could be remembering way wrong, but at least, a little extra water won't hurt you, and even if bottled, doesn't cost much.) I think maybe my doc warned me about that w/ my SSRI.
Good luck
bozeman
Posted by SBOATRN on February 19, 2003, at 20:21:12
In reply to Re: Neck Pain, is there another answer ? » SBOATRN, posted by bozeman on February 19, 2003, at 19:59:51
Thanks for the tip. It's kinda a strange, seemingly consistent, finding to not have something "causing" it... though, mood disorders, in and of themselves, cause some strange things physically ! I try to drink enough water, but sometimes do really fall short. It's certainly worth a try and couldn't hurt. Thanks again.
Posted by male34 on February 19, 2003, at 21:55:22
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 ???
**************i watched ashow that said its not so much the meds its us , we the anxiety stress people tend to have neck pain, why i dont know my guess is stress tension etc, maybe the meds enhance it but it cant hurt us dont worry about it , just take care and relax the best you can ,as for water theory ill try it myself it cant hurt .
Posted by missliz on February 20, 2003, at 2:40:55
In reply to Re: Neck Pain, is there another answer ?, posted by male34 on February 19, 2003, at 21:55:22
I have this too. I find that if your muscles are bunching up the anxiety is not as well controlled as you think. You may need a different benzo, or a tweaking of the mood stabilizer. People with our kind of problems tend to be in poor physical condition too, and a weak neck will get knotty just from holding up a head. Exercise also ditches the stress and anxiety in a way that no med can- the best drugs are the ones you make inside your own head ;)
For some reason it's the trapezius muscle that takes the worst beating from anxiety disorder (read this in a study) and it's a big part of your neck- runs up the back where it hurts. Yoga helps, as do affectionate lap cats. I'd take a hard look at my meds though, and see if they're as good as they can get. Klonopin wasn't great for me and I switched to valium, it helped. There are many benzos and they are surprisingly different.missliz
Posted by SBOATRN on February 20, 2003, at 6:39:36
In reply to Re: Neck Pain, is there another answer ?, posted by missliz on February 20, 2003, at 2:40:55
Thanks for the info. I do agree I have had neck tension issues even before I recognized a anxiety disorder. While I need to work on the exercise issue, I do have a GREAT lap cat. Isn't it funny how they sense when the day's not going great ?? Very smart creatures !!!
Posted by Dysfunk on February 20, 2003, at 11:29:35
In reply to Neck Pain, is there another answer ?, posted by SBOATRN on February 19, 2003, at 15:30:31
I heard the new generation of medication can cause muscle aches and pains. I had terrible neck and back pain while on Effexor. As soon as I weaned off, the pain went away!!
Posted by Dysfunk on February 20, 2003, at 11:32:24
In reply to Re: Neck Pain, is there another answer ? » missliz, posted by SBOATRN on February 20, 2003, at 6:39:36
Cats are amazing.....I just wanted to add that I exercise regularly. The neck pain I experienced was unrelated to tension in my neck due to not exercising. I thought I pulled a muscle, needed a new mattress and was about to go to a chiropractor. Later on I found out it was withdrawal to Effexor.
Posted by Emme on February 20, 2003, at 12:17:11
In reply to Neck Pain, is there another answer ?, posted by SBOATRN on February 19, 2003, at 15:30:31
Hi. I have had tight, painful muscles from some drugs. It was especially bad when I was titrating up on Lamictal. My arms and shoulders were much worse than usual. I second the yoga suggestions. Certain poses will definitely help. If you can afford it, get a few massages with a good massage therapist. After about three appointments with one, my problems were much improved.
Emme
Posted by SBOATRN on February 20, 2003, at 12:21:59
In reply to Re: Neck Pain, is there another answer ? » SBOATRN, posted by Dysfunk on February 20, 2003, at 11:32:24
Thanks for posting. I guess I just have this strange wondering of WHY this occurs. I can rationalize out why some "side effects" happen. I just am really curious about this one. Lactic acid build up - why just these muscles (too close to your head - ha, ha) ? the aforementioned tension ? For some reason I want to know. I tend to accept things better with understanding WHY they happen. I'm on an "old" drug and it's happened with those meds, too. Anyway, Maybe I should drop the quest... Take Care and feel well.
Posted by Dysfunk on February 23, 2003, at 12:04:37
In reply to Re: Neck Pain, is there another answer ? » Dysfunk, posted by SBOATRN on February 20, 2003, at 12:21:59
These medicines are a mystery to me. If you find out why they produce neck pain and neuromuscular pain, please share with us.
Posted by SBOATRN on February 23, 2003, at 12:34:42
In reply to Re: Neck Pain, is there another answer ? » SBOATRN, posted by Dysfunk on February 23, 2003, at 12:04:37
> These medicines are a mystery to me. If you find out why they produce neck pain and neuromuscular pain, please share with us.
I've pretty much given up the quest. Some days it bothers me, some days it doesn't.... I guess, sometimes you just gotta accept things don't have a good answer and get on with living !!!!
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
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