Muscle spasm in trapazoid area of my back

ksdm, God bless you! Have any of your doctors prescribed a different muscle relaxant like Flexeril or Robaxin? I know you are taking Valium, but perhaps that is not working for the muscle spasms you are having.

I empathize as I have had them in my hip and spine and they are so painful. I am so sorry you are having these.

Praying for you to relief. Blessings...

I have tried every appropriate med. and nothing works better than Valium, but how much longer can I go on taking it?? I still have to sit in my chair with the heating pad. Thank goodness for TCM!! This is not living. I am screaming for help! Is this so unsolvable???

Thank you, I have tried all appropriate meds and the side effects are so bad I can't eat, besides, they don't work. Valium it the only drug that will quell the spasm for a few hours. That and Tylenol. But I still need to be on my heating pad so I can't do anything or go anywhere. I am 82 and in great health other than this debilitating spasm.

@ksdm These muscle spasms are such an insult and so painful! I have found Baclofen to be very helpful, but lidocaine nerve blocks have provided the best relief, through my pain clinic.
The hunt for the 'treatment that works ' is a long and frustrating one; and treatment is an individualized plan. Hot packs bring relief to many, but I find ice packs the best pick.
I hope you will get a suggestion that will bring you much needed help.

@ksdm there are a ton of muscle relaxers in different classes. Tzanidine worked extraordinarily well. I was recently put on Baclofen which works in a different way. I didn't see that you tried MFR therapy (there is a group on that here) or Botox. The botox IS FABULOUS. I have done it since 2013. It was just what I needed THEN. but eventually I had surgery. With the entire nightmare of surgery it didn't repair or stop the muscle spasms in my neck/shoulder area.
You will need to understand WHY you have it before you can treat it properly. After a lifetime of problems, I realized the neck trauma from 4 whiplash accidents AND my career as an artist has put my neck in permanent "spasticity." It is dealt with differently than a muscle spasm which can be healed after a massage. I still wear one of those foamy neck cushions periodically to relieve the pressure and I still try managing with great outside therapist MFR 2 times a month and I get a bit of MFR from the P.T. guy every week. Spasticity means that there is a nerve root from your spine impinging on nerves causing the spasm. That is the bridge I am on right now. The CPT code and treatment is different. good luck!

I am on the Baclofen too. It worked great initially, then nothing. MFR (section here on that) is great. Botox is great. I am working on a diagnosis of spasticity, which means it is a nerve being impinged and causing the spasm due to several whiplash occurrences that permanently (it seems) ruined my neck, plus my round shoulders and career in art. Knowing that this is "permanent" puts a different long-term spin on trying to repair it, like somehow it is a simple massage or lifestyle fix. I even had a HUGE surgery and it did not repair it. That was quite a disappointment, let me tell ya!

please see an orthopedic or neurologist. There is a section here on MFR - myosfascial tissue release therapy you will want to read. There are many different drugs to try. And BOTOX I highly recommend!

please see my other comments in this section regarding MFR, Botox, neurologist and other meds.

Hi kadm,

I'm sorry for what you're going through. Back spams are intensely painful. I have a similar problem with the rhomboid muscle on my right side. It doesn't spasm the way you describe, but it does get very tight and bothers, especially at night. Two ideas:

1. Find a good masseuse. I found a good masseuse, told him about the tightness in my rhomboid, and he started with me on my back. I thought that was unusual but he worked on my neck muscles for about 15 minutes (they were surprisingly tight) and worked his way down to my trap and then my rhomboid. He explained that all these muscles are connected, and it's best to start at the top (neck) and work down. He finished the massage with me lying on my stomach.

2. Try a trigger point self-massage cane. I like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C7C5JRN9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I can really dig into the muscles of my neck and upper back - between massages.

Neither of these suggestions involves muscle relaxers or anxiety meds. Hope this helps!

Joe

Thank you! I have tried Flexeril and Robaxin and they didn't work for me. The Valium works but I don't want to have to take it every day all day! It puts me to sleep so I can't do anything. I would like the issue to be resolved.