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Night back muscle spasms - can't lay down, can't sit.
Hi
My first fracture was in 2022 January it happened in my sleep. Then my next two fractures were in 2024 after radiation for breast cancer again fractured in my sleep. I have been working out on a regular basis two to three times a week doing weights and treadmill. Just this week I worked out on a new back machine and I had increased my incline on my treadmill Sunday. Tuesday morning I couldn't get out of bed the spasms were so bad all night. My fractures are t8, t9 and 10.
I'm waiting for results on my x-ray see if there's another fracture my muscles have completely locked around my fractures the pain is off the chart as soon as night comes they start the spasms it's horrid I never experienced pain like this with the other fractures. Taking a muscle relaxer and Advil I just wondered if anyone else has advice on severe muscle spasms at night I can't lay down I can't sit. My Chiro has done muscle release and it works for about 4 hours and then it starts again.
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sue417,
Sounds like this is exercise triggered and might settle with a lidocaine, either patch or injection. My sister would have lidocaine injections in the taut muscles. They are easy to recognize manually by the practitioner. The effect of lidocaine is brief about 6 hours, but the spasms, once interrupted, wouldn't return until they were overstressed again.
I'm hoping it isn't another fracture.
I'm impressed with your exercise routines, maybe enthusiasm over the new back machine overworked those muscles.
The patches are otc in drugstores. But I think the injections are better.
@gently
Hi
Thanks for your response. Yes my chiropractor also thinks it was from the new machine I tried live and learn. I think I will see if I can pick up some of those patches today and try them. I just find it very odd that things settled in the day but as soon as night comes it starts again
sue, I'm glad you have a chiropractor.
Two things might be involved one is reduced blood flow when we are resting another is that the soft tissues around the muscles relax and aren't supporting those overused muscles could be positional. Makes it seem more likely not a fracture, still I hope you have imaging. And that the discomfort goes away quickly.
@gently
Hi
Thks, yes I called my chiropractor this morning she has the x-rays but not the report she's hoping it comes in before 5:00 today if not it won't be until Monday. I'm going to see her tomorrow for some more muscle release see if it helps ease it
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1 Reaction@sue417
We feel pain more at night because we are not as focused on it during the day when we are moving around and distracted by our environment. At night even a moderate pain level stands out because everything else is at rest.
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2 Reactionssue417 @sue417
Wow, can't imagine having to deal with those fractures.
I am curious what muscle relaxer are you taking? I got Tizanidine 4 MG (Zanaflex) for muscle spasms last night while in emergency room for the reoccurring severe sharp pain in the left side of my neck and the severe cramps in in my feet. (Magnesium had been helping quite a bit with the calf and feet cramps but quit working with current problems!) Have had the pain in the left side of neck at times during the last year. Have had the problems with the feet and leg calves cramping for several decades now, when I even walk a little in stores, etc. The foot pain is severe at night. I believe that the foot cramping was brought on by tweaking my body for my body to reach the clutch and throttle on equipment. The neck pain is caused from a broken neck 1979, the degenerative changes over the years, and now a diagnosis of osteoporosis, in the cervical and lumbar region of the spine.
Has anyone used Tizanidine 4 MG (Zanaflex)?
Also, has anyone used Methylprednisolone 4 MG (Medrol)?
Horrid side effects listed for both medicines. I get a lot of the side effects from new prescriptions so I would appreciate any feedback.
I have something similar in my mid back. It is fine all day but within minutes of lying down it becomes very painful. I sleep sitting up but even that is becoming painful. Trigger point injections did not help nor did muscle relaxers, NSAIDS or extra strength Tylenol. Having x-rays and thoracic MRI Tuesday. I have also seen a good chiropractor.
@grannytrucker
Hi
I take cyclobenzaprine or the other name is flexeril 10 mg it's for the spasms but I won't be able to take it if I get the tramadol today I'm going to a walk-in clinic because the emerge department did nothing yesterday. It does nothing for pain
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3 Reactions@erdocsmom
Hi
Tylenol does absolutely nothing for my pain and I'm allergic to Advil so I've got to get some tramadol hopefully today from the walk-in clinic. Do you have an endocrinologist do you also have osteoporosis.
@sue417
I've been asking Kaiser to let me have Flexeril! However, they now say you should not take Flexeril over a certain age. Believe the age limit is 65. Leaves me out.
I took Flexeril in 1990. Had no side effects whatsoever at that time. My incredible Doctor at a comprehensive spine rehabilitation program testified for me in my worker's comp case and he pretty much raved about it. These days, it is riddled with a long list of side effects. But so is EVERY SINGLE OTHER medicine I get prescribed these days. And I had a good experience with Flexeril! Going to try what my ER recommended yesterday but I don't have much hope.
What dose of Tramadol are you taking? How is it working for you?