1. < Bones, Joints & Muscles

What kind of a doctor deals with muscle spasms?

Posted by ksdm @ksdm, Jul 27 6:31pm

Does anyone know what kind of a doctor deals with muscle spasms? I get one in one spot on my back about every three months. They are unbearably painful and they last for 4-6 weeks during which time I have to sit in my chair with my heating pad and do nothing. I am 82 and this is not how I planned to spend my last days! I cry.

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nicolse | @nicolse | Aug 3 10:42am
In reply to @sueinmn "It is possible that one or more of the medications (or an interaction between them) you..." + (show)
@sueinmn

It is possible that one or more of the medications (or an interaction between them) you take are causing the spasms.
Can you ask your pharmacist or your doctor to look at whether some of your meds are actually causing the problem?

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Thank you! I'll look into it for sure

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nicolse | @nicolse | Aug 3 10:43am
In reply to @omnipair314 "I have had 8 surgeries on my spine, muscle spasms shut me down so often:( I..." + (show)
@omnipair314

I have had 8 surgeries on my spine, muscle spasms shut me down so often:(
I recently spoke to my neurologist about the spams. He prescribed Baclofin 5mg 3x day to start 1st 3 days, 10mg day 4-6, and if needed I could continue to increase dosage by 5mg up to 20mg. It literally works by day 3! Game changer for quality of life. Side note…
it makes me sleepy but an hour nap refreshes me mid day. He said do what works best for me and honestly beyond relieved!

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Wow! I'm happy for you and to know it works is great news for me

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artemis1886 | @artemis1886 | Aug 3 9:13pm
In reply to @ksdm "Where was this done??" + (show)
@ksdm

Where was this done??

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L3&L5 was done by a neurologist with Botox in his office I always believed he was sadistic. He caused a lot of pain. I think he enjoyed it but I always felt so better.

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janebaxter | @janebaxter | Aug 4 8:40am

Ask your physician about Tizanidine - it’s a muscle relaxant that works by blocking nerve impulses (pain sensations) that are sent to your brain. Tizanidine is used to treat spasticity by temporarily relaxing muscle tone.

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2 replies
sequoia | @sequoia | Aug 5 1:28am

Acupuncture got rid of mine. Took about 9 months with treatments twice a month.

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artemis1886 | @artemis1886 | Aug 5 7:19am
In reply to @omnipair314 "I have had 8 surgeries on my spine, muscle spasms shut me down so often:( I..." + (show)
@omnipair314

I have had 8 surgeries on my spine, muscle spasms shut me down so often:(
I recently spoke to my neurologist about the spams. He prescribed Baclofin 5mg 3x day to start 1st 3 days, 10mg day 4-6, and if needed I could continue to increase dosage by 5mg up to 20mg. It literally works by day 3! Game changer for quality of life. Side note…
it makes me sleepy but an hour nap refreshes me mid day. He said do what works best for me and honestly beyond relieved!

Jump to this post

I wish I could take Baclofin. It helps but makes me feel like I have the flu. It’s an awful feeling and makes the neuropathy worse. For muscle spams I use Soma 350 mgs or Skelexin.

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1 reply
omnipair314 | @omnipair314 | Aug 5 7:55am
In reply to @artemis1886 "I wish I could take Baclofin. It helps but makes me feel like I have the..." + (show)
@artemis1886

I wish I could take Baclofin. It helps but makes me feel like I have the flu. It’s an awful feeling and makes the neuropathy worse. For muscle spams I use Soma 350 mgs or Skelexin.

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I was taking Soma but it wasn’t even touching the pain so that’s when they switched me to Baclofin. I felt extremely tired at first but I’m on my 3rd week taking it and that effect has gone away
I haven’t taken Skelexin in years, I kinda forgot about it lol

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ksdm | @ksdm | Aug 5 3:13pm

Are you taking Baclofin for spasms? Don't know about Skelexin.....for spasms too?

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1 reply
artemis1886 | @artemis1886 | Aug 5 5:59pm
In reply to @ksdm "Are you taking Baclofin for spasms? Don't know about Skelexin.....for spasms too?" + (show)
@ksdm

Are you taking Baclofin for spasms? Don't know about Skelexin.....for spasms too?

Jump to this post

Skelexin- is better for back muscle spams. I use it for my back
Baclofin- works it just makes me feel like I have the flu everything hurts.
Soma- is what I use and it works for me. I get severe muscle spams in my hands and my legs they hurt really bad

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Aug 6 8:04am

Prescribing pain meds for cramping seems very strange. Yes, cramps can be very painful, but the pain is usually acute and not chronic.

I get a lot of muscle knots in my back, mostly rhomboids. I can only stretch it at the gym with a chair-like device that reclines. The thing that works best for me is deep-tissue massage, and a really good, knowledgeable masseuse with very strong hands. Fortunately I found one. I try to so this once a month. I'm in the gym everyday and I stretch everyday - even so the knots persist and can be painful at night.

As a sort-term fix, I use Voltaren gel or any of the Bio-Freeze products. I also take Tylenol and that helps a bit.

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