22 replies to this topic

[Vaulti Mila]

Hey guys, first time posting in these forms!

I had surgery to fix my spine which was herniating outside of my dura thanks to a hole made my a herniated disk in February of this year, after which I was told I now have an incomplete spinal cord injury and was on the rehab floor of my hospital for a couple months. About a week and a half after my surgery I was told I had a blood clot in my right leg, and another week and a half after that, I suffered a pulmonary embolism, which definitely set me back a lot as far as my recovery goes. I am now at home with my mom, while I finish recovering and doing outpatient therapy a couple times a week (sucks that my insurance won't pay for more).

A week before I was discharged, the doctors prescribed me Valium to help with my spasms, since nothing had seemed to really ease them much at all (I'm on 80mg of Baclofen, 3600mg of Gabapentin, and 32mg of Tizanidine a day) . They gave it to me "as needed", so I only took it every now and then which helped but not that much. My spasms were bad enough to if I were laying down I couldn't breathe because my stomach muscles got too tight, my right leg would spaz out a lot and I'd end up hitting it on a LOT of things like the bed rails or anyone nearby, and if I were sitting up in my chair, I would all but completely launch myself out of it.

When I left the hospital, I started taking it regularly (half a tab:2.5 mg four times a day) my spasms almost completely stopped. I'd only have a couple extremely weak ones a day. I could lay down and not freak out thinking about how bad it was going to hurt. I couldn't believe it! But the bummer part about it is the addictive affects and a couple other things that he doctors are worried about is why they didn't ant to give me a refill on my prescription.

Now I'm actually out of it, been out of Valium for almost two weeks now, and the spasms have almost come all the way back. I never had any terrible withdrawals or anything after stopping it and they finally decided to refill my meds.


I wanted to know if anyone else has had any experiences with Valium and easing spasms, and if not, would you be willing to try it, and/or why wouldn't you? I searched for any past topics on this subject, but couldn't find anything, so I just want to hear about any thoughts or experiences anyone else might have had with this.

[sh1wn]

I have been given it a few times while I was in the hospital but I don't have too bad of spasms normally so I never continued it when I got out. It worked great, and I have even heard doctors say its the best thing they have for spasms but it does cause dependence so they don't prescribe it much. Just like pain pills you need to weigh the relief you get from it with the dangers of taking it and make your choice from there.

[isobar]

Hi,




I've used Diazepam at times and it does help with spasms i never had problems with withdrawals but taking them with Baclofen cause much drowsiness until you get use to them. Try stretching, exercise , a massager w/heat and proper water intake if possible and maybe you can reduce your dependency on some of the meds in time. I hope this is helpful to you.

[mellowgator]

dear vm,

i've been prescibed valium since i was first injured 25 years ago. i started taking them in rehab and continue with the same script for them which is 10mg x4 times daily. i did stop them while i was pregnant and yes i did have withdrawals. while i was off the valium, i also discovered that after 7 years of being injured that i could move my toes.

all that being said. you need anti-spasm medicine and you probably will for the rest of your life. you aren't abusing the medicine and your doctor is wrong in worrying about you getting dependent on your meds. if you only take as prescribed and your symptons are better that's a good thing. if your doctor doesn't show you more compassion i'd get a new doctor. this isn't a temporary situation and you in all probablity will need this type medicine for the rest of your life.


mellowgator

[pinkcloud]

[quote name='Vaulti Mila' timestamp='1303840714' post='223272']
Hi vaulti mila

and what a worthwhile first post this is thank you.

Like all medications I know take I was scared of the word valium.

Recently me legs have been spazing faster than i could ever move them as an ab.

As well as baclofen i know am on clonazepam. Despite being on 60 mg amitriptlin amoungst others i just cant sleep due to pain. i can now. Taking just one of these bad boys at night sends me sleep in minutes, even when i dont feel tired at 2am.

Of couse i dont work or do much in life due to pain so yes if your like me,take them. Spasms have not disappeared in daytime however they must do at night as i awake only crying in pain as opposed to screaming in agony.

Thanks for bringing this up, valium has stigma attached to it - even by by me before i tried it.

i hope you stay suited to this. See you around on forum

Edited by pinkcloud, 26 April 2011 - 10:57 PM.

[Tetracyclone]

I am yet to try valium, but it is next on my list when gabapentin fails. Gabapentin also has some dependency.

Valium is considered a great muscle relaxant in the small, frequent doses you describe. I agree wholeheartedly with Mellow Gator.

[Illinois Boy]

Started taking 10mg 4 times a day since 1982, now take 5mg 3 times a day.....

Also been taking 20mg Baclofen 4 times a day for the same amount of time...

Jim

[nomis]

When spasm is a problem then you need something to help deal with it and for some that might mean Valium. But I think your doctors are right to be cautious. Many years back I worked in a psych unit and I recall the agonies of a guy coming off Valium. It's also supposedly punishing of the lining of your gut and it not only relaxes your muscles but also your mood so it flattens out the peaks of your awareness. Get the docs to help you find an acceptable alternative.

[Jeanette]

Vaulti Mila, on 26 April 2011 - 05:58 PM, said:

Hey guys, first time posting in these forms!

I had surgery to fix my spine which was herniating outside of my dura thanks to a hole made my a herniated disk in February of this year, after which I was told I now have an incomplete spinal cord injury and was on the rehab floor of my hospital for a couple months. About a week and a half after my surgery I was told I had a blood clot in my right leg, and another week and a half after that, I suffered a pulmonary embolism, which definitely set me back a lot as far as my recovery goes. I am now at home with my mom, while I finish recovering and doing outpatient therapy a couple times a week (sucks that my insurance won't pay for more).

A week before I was discharged, the doctors prescribed me Valium to help with my spasms, since nothing had seemed to really ease them much at all (I'm on 80mg of Baclofen, 3600mg of Gabapentin, and 32mg of Tizanidine a day) . They gave it to me "as needed", so I only took it every now and then which helped but not that much. My spasms were bad enough to if I were laying down I couldn't breathe because my stomach muscles got too tight, my right leg would spaz out a lot and I'd end up hitting it on a LOT of things like the bed rails or anyone nearby, and if I were sitting up in my chair, I would all but completely launch myself out of it.

When I left the hospital, I started taking it regularly (half a tab:2.5 mg four times a day) my spasms almost completely stopped. I'd only have a couple extremely weak ones a day. I could lay down and not freak out thinking about how bad it was going to hurt. I couldn't believe it! But the bummer part about it is the addictive affects and a couple other things that he doctors are worried about is why they didn't ant to give me a refill on my prescription.

Now I'm actually out of it, been out of Valium for almost two weeks now, and the spasms have almost come all the way back. I never had any terrible withdrawals or anything after stopping it and they finally decided to refill my meds.


I wanted to know if anyone else has had any experiences with Valium and easing spasms, and if not, would you be willing to try it, and/or why wouldn't you? I searched for any past topics on this subject, but couldn't find anything, so I just want to hear about any thoughts or experiences anyone else might have had with this.

Hi,
My pain doctor put me on valuim as the MR so I can get rest at night it does help. I take flexural 3 times during the day and 1 valuim at night. I know when it's Ben over the six hours as I feel the spasms come back. This last week I was in the ER for my hands going paralyzed I was given a 7 day steroid pack where I took 8 pills the first day and on the 6 day I take 1 pill
My spasms let up the paralysis in my hands let up but now i am out of the steroid pack and the spasms and the lack of temperature co trol that I have, came back with a vengeance.

I in my non medical opinion, think you should go get more valuim as MR so you can relieve the spasms.
If it works use it.
Jeanette

[goose]

my injury was in 1986 at the c4/5 level. the first year or two, my spasms were so bad that my legs would stick straight out. i developed a six pack app from them. i was given the choice of valium or baclofen. i chose baclofen. i may be the odd ball but the more i took the worse they became. i decided to wean myself off. would you believe the spasms got better. i started using them to my advantage. my legs still look normal. i don;t try to fight them and in a few minutes or half an hour they go away. i can usually contol them by wiggling side to side in my chair. stress will cause them to start back up.
i haven't taken any precription drug in 20 yrs. or so. a few weeks ago i went to a new doctor and she wanted me to try gabapentin [100 mg]. they put me to sleep but made my arms and body feel like they are drawing up.
bottom line - the meds. made my spasms worse.

i have taken an antibotic [a few times]

[mellowgator]

dear vm,

i found this forum for those with herniated disc. hope this helps you to hear how others deal with this condition,

http://www.herniated...disc-forum.html



mellowgator

[wheeliebear75]

If the pot don't make um go away a Valium will make them relax......trouble is it relaxes EVERYTHING.....nighty night!

[pinkcloud]

Thanks for this info nomis

I read it and didnt take it last night. Me head felt ok but man, did i wake up real stiff and sore. I'm not sure what to do,maybe take it only when I cant sleep? Your expert advice here would real help please. Also me neuropathic bladder/bowel mean i got real tight muscles to keep it in - will i turn the other way now?

Goose, your right. The leaflet says it does make spasm worse sometimes. That hapened with me when i was on 5mg. I stopped it. Had to take it again and am up-ed to 20 mg 3 times a day and it helps spasms. Weird hey. Also in th 5mg days, baclofen sent me co co. Now no drugs send me coco - is me head really getting that immune to the mindbender drugs? Or is it me pains got worse as I read the more pain one has, the less the co co symptoms affect the mind. Nomis your thoughts too please?

[pinkcloud]

Thanks mellowgator, thing is disc herniations vary so much, I remember this from work. Depends where in the spine it happens, how much cord is sqaused, how much bone is around cord.Thats why some can be followed up in general hospitals and some like me can be followed uup at sci unit - lucky for me compared to tethered cord my neurological damage is classed as good compared to many of you lot on here.

Some idiot nurses didnt quite believe my injury was sci - that it was just disc herniation. And that the doctors were just over-precautious because I used to work for them. Big mistake - and I believe i wouldnt be in this mess if they had looked after me better when the doctors backs were turned. This is THE only site for sci problems, it rocks

but the site you recommended is really handy for some to gain extra knowlede so thanks, you always find good websites for others and much appreciated

Edited by pinkcloud, 30 April 2011 - 08:41 AM.

[roo]

i dont like taking tablets for anythings ,,i use thermal spa pools for my spasms it keeps em at bay +massage's"hence of to em now for a long soak "
best of luck
Roo

Edited by roo, 30 April 2011 - 09:48 AM.

[nomis]

Pinkcloud - I'd strongly suggest you discuss it with your doctor. But don't let your doctor fob you off without discussing the pros and cons of valium or any other drug. Back in earlier times senior medical people were suspected of being too loose in prescribing valium cos it quietened their patients down and gave them less work. There's gotta be better alternatives available today. But maybe your doctor has a compelling reason for giving them to you...find out.

Can't help with your neuropathic bladder/bowel situation. That's complex and for your doc, too. From my own experience I can say I once had strong spastic activity around my bladder and abdomen which all but disappeared following a bladder augmentation operation. Bit drastic if just for spasm but it sure helps make my life more pleaseant.

Edited by nomis, 30 April 2011 - 10:34 AM.

[pinkcloud]

thanks nomis

i totally agree wih you about the quieting down theory.

Me GP gave me them to take at night as the spasms are so very very bad and started a year post-op. Hes already been told theres no surgical options for me by the consultants and that i'm in deterioration neurologically, and hes at a loss, he saw me spasm in surgery and hes worried i will fall and damage meself further. He knows i'm sound of mind as counselling i requested meself, wrote a report of how well i cope. i'm also calm and down to earth even in my most traumed physical states (which is why he never beleved i had sci for two years) and he knows how well i coped with other trauma in me life.He also knows medics i worked for believe this also. So i do in a way wish it was just a 'calm me down' approach as i can sort head issues out well As it is, its pure-ley spasm related, spasms that wake me up despite being on 60mg on amitriptylin that used to knock me out at night.I am very strong of mind and can get off high meds and after a week of rocking back and forwards, came 'down' off morphine, gabapentin, steroids, tramadol and so many others i cant even remenber back onto paracetamol and Ibuprofen a few weeks post-op as i couldnt cope with being coo coo.I lived in agony until i couldnt move anymore without medication and now am sound of mind, as me heads in a good place in life, even on all me meds.

Any other ideas please share nomis. At the minute its clorazepm and less spasm or spasm and falling breaking me ankle, hip and many other delights

Thsnking you kindly

Edited by pinkcloud, 30 April 2011 - 10:49 AM.

[Jeanette]

Tetracyclone, on 27 April 2011 - 03:23 AM, said:

I am yet to try valium, but it is next on my list when gabapentin fails. Gabapentin also has some dependency.

Valium is considered a great muscle relaxant in the small, frequent doses you describe. I agree wholeheartedly with Mellow Gator.

My neurologist told me that is is very important to take the MR valuim flexural with the Gabapentin or the cymbLta that I am now on. The MR relaxes the body while the Gab or CYMbalta works on the nerves. It seems to help me.

As far as the Gabapentin dependency, I did not have a problem switching to CYMbalta. I highly recommend starting with the lowest dose 100 mg 1x day and build up to 300 per day and slowly go up from there as you may find that just a low dose will help with what you need. As with most meds side effects can be severe. For me, gabapentin affected me a lot before surgery I was on 400 mg per day and with mr and anti-inflammatory I was pretty good pain control. After surgery I was put on 900 mg per day and i found myself with high anxiety ,irritability and going into a depression. It wasn't u til december that I asked to be switched off this meds because I needed my brain the CYMbalta improved my mood, anxiety went down irritability disappeared. I still have memory problems and I am beginning. To think that it is related to SCI not as much the medication.
I did not have memory loss before the accident may5 2010!!!
Jeanette.

[aainme]

Morning, this is A great subject.... I'm having problems with my meds...... My old Dr just gave me vicoden for pain, in the daytime worked great...... Night time and morning awful total body spasms ... So bad I could hardly catch my breath and they would squeeze so hard I would pee on myself.......yuck. I changed Drs and he finally put me on a extended release morphine....... The next morning NO spasms. I could not believe it ...... That was the first morning I felt good ..... I worked with my Dr on doses and I was still feeling good...... Then in the daytime I. Could not work ,walking was twice as hard..... But no spasms...... Hum..... Ok off the morphine back on vicoden...... Felt great in the day. And then spasms started at 8 pm and no matter what I did the spasms continued until 10 am .... My whole body was so sore I had to stay in bed all day....... Ok my next appt is Monday I pray I can work with him to change things around ....... I could not function so until I see him morphine at night none in the day and I take vicoden in the day so I am able to work again......... I would love suggestions .... Ideas..... I am amazed that I can live without spasms ...... I had them so long I really believed it was something that would wake me for the rest of my life............ Hugs Laura

[Stickman]

my neurologist just started me on 5 mg of valium and said if it doesnt work, try 10. So, Im hoping the 5 works, its been a few days but no major difference yet.

[FQrocker]

I had severe spasms that pretty much took over my life. I tried anything and everything. Valiums didn't help my spasms at all. Just made me loopy and disconnected. Gabapentin was the one oral drug I tried and stil use that worked. I had the baclofin pump put in and I love it. It relieved 95% of my spasms. And I still take gabapentin. For neuropathic pain mostly.

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[FQrocker]

aainme, on 30 April 2011 - 05:04 PM, said:

Morning, this is A great subject.... I'm having problems with my meds...... My old Dr just gave me vicoden for pain, in the daytime worked great...... Night time and morning awful total body spasms ... So bad I could hardly catch my breath and they would squeeze so hard I would pee on myself.......yuck. I changed Drs and he finally put me on a extended release morphine....... The next morning NO spasms. I could not believe it ...... That was the first morning I felt good ..... I worked with my Dr on doses and I was still feeling good...... Then in the daytime I. Could not work ,walking was twice as hard..... But no spasms...... Hum..... Ok off the morphine back on vicoden...... Felt great in the day. And then spasms started at 8 pm and no matter what I did the spasms continued until 10 am .... My whole body was so sore I had to stay in bed all day....... Ok my next appt is Monday I pray I can work with him to change things around ....... I could not function so until I see him morphine at night none in the day and I take vicoden in the day so I am able to work again......... I would love suggestions .... Ideas..... I am amazed that I can live without spasms ...... I had them so long I really believed it was something that would wake me for the rest of my life............ Hugs Laura

Hi Laura,my name is john and I'm a T4 complete. I had spasms so bad I thought I was the exorcist. Everything but the levitation .I've been thrown out of vehicles,the wheelchair,hell,even the toilet. I took all sorts of drugs but he one I found that really,really helped was neurotin (gabapentin). Lord it did wonders. I still had to have the baclofin pump surgery and still have to take gabapentin. Between the 2 I'm 95% spasm free woohoo!! I truly hopes this helps. I know the misery of severe spasms

[Jeanette]

Jeanette, on 29 April 2011 - 11:09 PM, said:

Vaulti Mila, on 26 April 2011 - 05:58 PM, said:

Hey guys, first time posting in these forms!

I had surgery to fix my spine which was herniating outside of my dura thanks to a hole made my a herniated disk in February of this year, after which I was told I now have an incomplete spinal cord injury and was on the rehab floor of my hospital for a couple months. About a week and a half after my surgery I was told I had a blood clot in my right leg, and another week and a half after that, I suffered a pulmonary embolism, which definitely set me back a lot as far as my recovery goes. I am now at home with my mom, while I finish recovering and doing outpatient therapy a couple times a week (sucks that my insurance won't pay for more).

A week before I was discharged, the doctors prescribed me Valium to help with my spasms, since nothing had seemed to really ease them much at all (I'm on 80mg of Baclofen, 3600mg of Gabapentin, and 32mg of Tizanidine a day) . They gave it to me "as needed", so I only took it every now and then which helped but not that much. My spasms were bad enough to if I were laying down I couldn't breathe because my stomach muscles got too tight, my right leg would spaz out a lot and I'd end up hitting it on a LOT of things like the bed rails or anyone nearby, and if I were sitting up in my chair, I would all but completely launch myself out of it.

When I left the hospital, I started taking it regularly (half a tab:2.5 mg four times a day) my spasms almost completely stopped. I'd only have a couple extremely weak ones a day. I could lay down and not freak out thinking about how bad it was going to hurt. I couldn't believe it! But the bummer part about it is the addictive affects and a couple other things that he doctors are worried about is why they didn't ant to give me a refill on my prescription.

Now I'm actually out of it, been out of Valium for almost two weeks now, and the spasms have almost come all the way back. I never had any terrible withdrawals or anything after stopping it and they finally decided to refill my meds.


I wanted to know if anyone else has had any experiences with Valium and easing spasms, and if not, would you be willing to try it, and/or why wouldn't you? I searched for any past topics on this subject, but couldn't find anything, so I just want to hear about any thoughts or experiences anyone else might have had with this.

Hi,
My pain doctor put me on valuim as the MR so I can get rest at night it does help. I take flexural 3 times during the day and 1 valuim at night. I know when it's Ben over the six hours as I feel the spasms come back. This last week I was in the ER for my hands going paralyzed I was given a 7 day steroid pack where I took 8 pills the first day and on the 6 day I take 1 pill
My spasms let up the paralysis in my hands let up but now i am out of the steroid pack and the spasms and the lack of temperature co trol that I have, came back with a vengeance.

I in my non medical opinion, think you should go get more valuim as MR so you can relieve the spasms.
If it works use it.
Jeanette

I am now treated by a SCI specialist she has me on Baclofen and Tegretol the nerve pain and spasticity is better controlled. I am a strong believer in getting to the ight doctor and finding the right combination between rehab/ exercise and medication that works.
I will defer to doctors
Jeanettr