Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion General Message Board for Ankylosing Spondylitis and Related Diseases Dumb question.... Muscle relaxants OTC?

Is there a way of getting muscle relaxants over the counter without having to visit the doctor?

By the way, life is great... sorry for not having been on the board lately - too busy fishing, too busy biking, too busy taking care of my god-daughter's newborn baby, but at least not too busy to post once in a while.

The last few months - had very little issues except for one day last week - extreme fatigue for 3 hours - couldn't talk, couldn't move, couldn't even scratch my own nose! I don't even know if it's fibroymalgia or just AS or what (I've been diagnosed with fibro along with RA back in 1998). Had no fibro issues for 2 years and had chalked it up to being on benzos for 11 years. Now, what? Is it possible that the extreme weather changes during the day (Fall - very cold at night and very warm at night) had brought this upon me? Who knows.

Anyway, hope everyone's doing all right.

Hugs, H.

Muscle relaxers are only available by Rx. If I were you, I'd stay away from them, due to their addiction potential. Good to hear from you. Glad your life is so full these days. Makes me happy to hear.

There is a melt mmade by hylands that is all natural and helps with muscle cramps. Its nothing compared to rx but it does help calm them down a bit. Its in a small orange box and the ingredient starts with a q. Hope that helps u some.

I'm a believer in Midol or Doans.......

I was told that Flexeril has tendencies to make one relapse and was given a different muscle relaxant. Methocarbomal was one of them, but gave me headaches. They gave me Tizanidine.

Just wondering how to cut down on doctor visits.


Can't take NSAIDS due to kidney issues.



I'll check it out. Probably ask the pharmacist first to see if I should ask a doctor as well for permission...

H.

Flexeril and maybe another muscle relaxer aren't known to be addictive (unless you mean that people rely on them, but if you need it to control spasms, then you need it). I believe Soma is the one you're thinking of, as it can be habit-forming.

Do you have a source where you found that flexeril can cause a relapse, H? I can't find any good info with a basic search.

Diazepam is another muscle relaxant that has addiction potential as well as dependence and increased tolerance. I do use it as my relaxant of choice, but only because I use it so infrequently now that I can still get good relief from 2 mg.

hey husky, long time. good to hear from you! i would LOVE to take the muscle relaxants, but they don't go with my myasthenia gravis, LOL. darn! anyway, i am taking japanese acupuncture now, and she leaves tiny "to go" needles (with a thumbtac size patch over the 1/16th needle) in all the AS places. in addition to having reduced pain, and reducing my pain meds, i have lost inflammation. i am not advocating this for anyone but me, but it does work for me. i have found that i am taking too much myasthenia meds for the difference in my body. so, i have cut that too. tho it doesn't really have a side effect. if you don't have MG, then you don't use that med. not for anything else. since the ac, my muscles have no where near the spasm they did, either.

all in all better, just like you. i vote for the weather being the culprit. it is for me, without question. a front change causes severe problems and pain.

take care and write more often. tho, we know folks don't write so often when they are doing well. there is a very popular topic that has a thousand pages, on what works, or good news or whatever the title is, by peg. good reading.

take care, and take it easy...

blessings, s.

I have taken flexeril a couple of times and it knocks me out. I refuse to stay at home all the time and not drive. I am taking some metaxalone now(not the maximum), I don't notice any side effects, and I think it helps. What do you know about it?

Tizanidine works well for me. You say they gave it to you. Have you tried it? If it's being prescribed by a doctor that you need to see for other things anyway, it shouldn't be cause for a special visit. My orthopaedist originally prescribed it, but my rheumatologist has taken over the script now since I no longer see the orthopaedist with any frequency.


The version of Midol that I take doesn't contain any NSAIDs. It certainly isn't anything like a muscle relaxant either though. It's just tylenol (for pain/"cramping"), caffeine (stimulant), and a diuretic (for bloating). The extended relief and the liquid gel versions do contain NSAIDs though.