Muscle Relaxers in TMJ SUPPORT Forum

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Muscle Relaxers

Author	Comment
Elaine2004	Muscle Relaxers	Lead	[-]
Posts: 2777 (03/27/08 11:25:12) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : muscle, relaxer Remove this ad I know we have discussed muscle relaxers before but has been awhile. My dentist suggested I take a muscle relaxer. The only one I have ever tried is Flexeril. I can't deal with that one as it makes me sleep for two to three days at a time. It totally makes me groggy and I can't stay awake during the day. Is there any relaxers that don't make you so sleepy? I am already taking so many meds I hate to add another one. I did tell him that I had to wait to see my PM because of signing the agreement not to get meds from any other doctor. Anyway just thought maybe someone had a suggestion. Thanks, Elaine
ginnic		#1	[-]
Posts: 460 (03/27/08 16:41:12) Member I Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Elaine, Reading your post, I wasn't sure if you meant to take a muscle relaxant regularly to try to relax your jaw/spasms? or did you mean just before going in for a normal routine dental visit i.e. teeth cleaning where holding your jaw open for awhile makes it hurt/spasm? I guess I ask because it seems to me for many people if they begin to take such drugs, the effect will not be so pronounced or noticeable once their body gets more "used to it"..........though not true in every case. MOST of the drugs I can think of that have a muscle relaxant effect will also have side effects of sleepiness or mild sedation.....the ones that come to mind immediately are the Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine), lorazepam (Ativan), diazepam (Valium), hydroxyzine (Vistaril). Have you tried reducing the dose? Or maybe even taking it with some caffeinated drink? I find IF a muscle relaxant is going to *really* do the job for me, then I am sleepy. It's a catch 22........... Ginni
Elaine2004		#2	[-]
Posts: 2777 (03/27/08 19:33:32) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I assume he is trying to get my muscles to relax to see if it will further my opening. If it is going to make me sleepy during the day, to where I can't stay awake, I won't take it. I don't like being in a fog like that. When I took the Flexeril it was a 10mg. tablet but I broke it in half. It still made me want to sleep all day. So I don't think Flexeril would be the answer or maybe any at all if they are all going to cause drowsiness. I will discuss it with my PM and see what he thinks. Like I need more drugs. Elaine
ginnic		#3	[-]
Posts: 460 (03/27/08 22:35:15) Member I Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Elaine, Wow, if half a Flexeril made you sleepy (I think it usually comes in 10mg? tablets) then you are really sensitive.......and some people are just like that........I get some patients at work, I give them so much pain meds it amazes me they can still breathe regularly, and some people I give just a tiny dose to and they are out cold snoring...........we are all so individual......... Have you ever tried any herbal preparations esp at bedtime? Like chamomile tea or anything. I know it doesn't sound like "much" but considering how sensitive you are.........?? I sure hope you find something that works well for you! Ginni
Michelle Denise	Klonipin	#4	[-]
Posts: 6585 (03/28/08 09:17:21) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Remove this ad Elaine, I can't really take muscle relaxers during the day either. I do take Klonipin, which works as a muscle relaxer and so I am not so clenched and rigid. I am one of those people that grip the seat of the dental chair and grip the stearing wheel when I drive. I guess I am sort of high strung, huh? It just takes the edge off of it all. Now at bedtime I take Norflex a muscle relaxer to help me not get all tightened up. I spent two months in massage therapy, and I honestly don't think I gained much relief at the end of it. I was rather disappointed. The gal I had was licensed and recommended by the hospital and my doctor but not his first choice. She had been in a bad car wreck and her neck was broke and she had TMJ problems. She worked through them through chiro and massage. Now she chews gum at times. I thought she would be able to help me since she had TMJ problems, but no major improvement. I think I need a heated pool built inside a greenhouse, so I can do pool stretches and aerobics. Maybe that is what I will ask for next. Ha Ha
Delilah63		#5	[-]
Member Posts: 19 (03/31/08 11:31:30) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I've found 1/2 of a 5mg of valium is an appropriate day time muscle relaxant. I read somewhere at some point, maybe on the pain mgmt board on health boards, that it is the ultimate muscle relaxer because it relaxes a couple of different ways, but I know many doctors are hesitant to prescribe long-term. I've never found it difficult to go off and on though. For a nighttime I think Soma does a good job, but it does make me sleepy, hence the nighttime. I've also tried Flexeril...not big on that...knocks me out and makes me THIRSTY! Best, Del
Elaine2004		#6	[-]
Posts: 2777 (03/31/08 14:18:56) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Del, I agree with the Flexeril. Totally knocks me for a loop. I don't think I need a muscle relaxer. I think the joint is tied up with scar tissue. A muscle relaxer is not going to do a thing for that. I will find out on April 14th the kind of shape the joint and implant are in. He said that because of metal, the scan could have some kind of glare.(I think that is what he said) I was in so much pain after those stupid trays I don't know exactly what he said. Anyway I will listen better at my next appointment and be able to tell everyone what is going on. I have to do the scan on April 14th at 10:00 See the dentist at 11:00 to go over the results and then go to my pain management at 1:30. Going to be a busy day so I better get lots of sleep the night before or I will be in trouble painwise. Elaine
Elaine2004		#7	[-]
Posts: 2777 (03/31/08 14:19:52) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Remove this ad I wonder if I do a quick reply and subscribe to the topic, whether I will get a notice in my email. This is a test. Elaine

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