Purpose of muscle relaxants?

[Sandra L]

Because my traps and scalenes are still giving me grief, I asked doctor to prescribe a muscle relaxant and something different for pain since the tramadol was not working (have taken it for 5 yrs., the last year between 200-250 mg daily). Kept me on tramadol and prescribed 4mg of Zanaflex every 8 hrs as needed. Took 2 tablets yesterday, will take three today, it's 1 p.m. and my muscles hurt.

Does a muscle relaxant just mask the pain? does it help you heal? Can you do more than stretch these muscles? Am going to try this for several months and then look into trigger point injections (will read posts on these). My husband massages the lumps and strands several times a day, but they come back. Why? (sorry my medical vocabulary is non-existent)

I am 9 mos post-op and understand I have been stretched badly. How do you determine whether you have muscle tears, scar tissue, etc. I finally saw a surgeon in Columbus who is doing ProDisc-C surgery. He mentioned meds and injections, but I didn't ask enough questions. He also said that with 4-levels, I may not get rid of the muscle pain, follow up studies are are too early to tell. Hope that's not true, am trying to be patient.

Good news, last x-rays look great and the doctor was nice to me! But very young.

Am looking forward to six weeks in warm weather and hope to get more walking and exercise and hopefully some golf.

We are iced in, trees are bent badly, but haven't lost power!

Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year, Sandy

[Justin]

Hi Sandra,

Here is a nice video that explains exactly what muscles relaxers do, and they specifically talk about the medicine you are on--Zanaflex.

Click Here for the Muscle Relaxer Video

I hope this helps and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you too!

[Sandra L]

Justin,

Thanks. Have read this explanation and others that are similar, still have the same questions.

Does a muscle relaxant just mask the pain? does it help you heal? Can you do more than stretch these muscles? . . . will look into trigger point injections. . . massage lumps and strands several times a day, they come back. Why? . . . How do you determine whether you have muscle tears, scar tissue, etc. ?

Sandy