Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
I've got an awful back spasm causing a stiff neck. This is something that happens to me every once in a while, once every 2 years or so. But this is my second within a few months and, like the last one, is really bad.
I'd love to get input on what other people do to stop these spasms. I've already tried the following (this time or in the past)
Massage Heat (helps) Cold Pain killers Anti-spasmodic and muscle relaxers Anti-inflammatories Stretching Electro-stimulation Tiger balm and other topical menthol creams
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Hey A...
Nice to see you! But sorry you are in pain! I KNOW that hurts!!!
I have found the cause of many of my spasms... and I have more spasms than all the raisins in Post Raisin Bran...
But Babesia was one reason.
The other is lack of calcium.
By supplementing with a powdered .. what do you call it.. the surf, beach, CORAL, that's it...
Coral calcium!!
It will calm my spasms very nicely. I've seen it help others too.
Some folks are needing magnesium.. but others don't and the mag makes it worse. Those folks seem to do well with calcium.
Hope that helps!
Feel better soon, my little baboon!
BTW- Like a glass of warm milk they used to help kids sleep in the "old days"....
You might want to take it at night before bedtime. Seems to have a warm relaxing effect as the muscles calm down that can make you feel tired.
posted
I heard magnesium helps with spasms but havent tried it yet and my dr put me on a supplement for anti inflammatory: AI Formula 60 vcaps (AIFOR)
AI Formula 60 vcaps
A.I. Formula is a broad spectrum, synergistic combination of concentrated extracts which inhibits the discharge of histamine from activated mast cells or basophils.
A.I. Formula offers a safe and natural way to regulate histamine production and thus modulate the inflammatory response at the cellular level.
Ingredient per capsule: Quercetin 250 mg. Curcuma longa (turmeric) extract (standardized to contain 97% curcumin) 150 mg. Bromelain (2,400 gdu/gram) 200 mg. Ginger root (Zingiber officinale) extract 100 mg. (standardized to contain 5% gingerols) Vitamin C (as ascorbyl palmitate) 14 mg.
Other ingredients: vegetable capsule
Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take 2-6 capsules daily, in divided doses, between meals.
posted
Hi, I live with it, you may have cervical damage & babs (I Think the 1), loves to go where is week & 80% of us suffer from. Taking all that stuff has done Nadda. I have disc bulges3,spondylosis,arthritis,degenerative disk,herniation,+++other things from C1 to 7. Need MrI to find out. Plus te other spasms very common we do not know why my whole body is like that but neck worse. I go for INJ. of lidocaine & patches with same. She tries to get in lumps to release if she gets right by time get home toxins released actually feel sick. Hard because have nausea everyday.
Other thing try acupuncture did help. But if you go to rheume, can get usually NO charge if you have INS> Best I wish to you Not fun. I get excited when find parking spot do not have to drive back, neck Ouchy, can barely turn.
This is sad highlight of day is finding spot,that can pull straight out I get so excited. Sad HUH????That makes my day....Ha Huggggssss, to All in Need,Kerry
Posts: 746 | From Clearwater/fl/Pinellas | Registered: Jun 2003
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
Thank you all. It's good to see you too, T. Life has been a bit too crazy for me to come around these parts often. But I needed you all today.
The calcium may make sense, because I recently restarted some supplements I stopped including magnesium. I might be too low on the calcium now, especially because I can't eat dairy. I'll find that bottle somewhere.
Kerry, thanks your for your information. I've had x-rays and mris before. I have very slight arthritis in my cerivcal spine, but not enough to cause this. Acupuncture is torture for me. My muscles spasm around the needles.
-Dania
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
I've been in alot of pain lately. The things I've been using are:
- epsom salt baths - drink some fresh juice of ginger in some other juice like apple or carrot - oxycontin - these stick on patches called Salonpas (they sell them at most drugstores) - heating pads or hot water bottles - very light stretching (if possible) or chi gung
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
Flexeril mussle relaxer is what helps me the most. I was very occasionally prescribed them by my PCP when they were trying to figure out the source of my back pain. Did PT--didn't help. MRI showed mild pathology, but nothing to explain my chronic and life altering pain. The best mix for me was Flexeril and Vicodin. However, my PCP was/is stingy about prescribing them. With my current TBD diagnoses, I'm thinking about asking my LLMD about prescribing them.
I think the combo works because the Flexeril relaxes the mussles while the Vicodin takes the edge off the pain and allows te Flexeril to work more effectively. It does not completely ease the pain or the spasms, but it helps. Also---and I don't know if this is real or a sort of placebo affect--Ativan for anxiety SEMMS to help, too. A soak in the hot tub sometimes helps, but not always. (Works while I'm in the tub but as soon as I get out the spasm often return).
I've thought about seeing a massage therapist. However, I think my back spasms are related to my rib pain (chostochondritis). I get muscle cramps other places, too, which seem to ease with hydration and potassium. (water & bananas)
I've heard some say Gatorade helps. (Which reminds me...I need to get some and try that).
I hope you find a solution. I feel for you. Those spasms can bring this grown woman to her knees.
Posts: 212 | From Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Jul 2009
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
Gahagan,
If you have rib pain, have you ever worked with a chiropractor or physical therapist that worked on alignment of your ribs? Ribs being out of alignment can definitely cause back pain.
I used to take Flexeril but had to stop. I took it for over 2 years and I eventually couldn't wake up in the mornings because of it. It had a negative impact on my autonomic nervous system.
-A
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
Aniek, I saw a chiropractor pretty steady (2-3 days a week) for several months. I don't know if he was working on alignment of the ribs. Just adjusting my back.
Posts: 212 | From Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Jul 2009
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posted
Hi, You may had wrong acupuncture person, that should not happen. The lidocaine inj. hurt for awhile & should hurt!!! little if doing it`s job. It take most meds or herbals mentioned. They help put then back to old neck sooner or later. The inj. where what is causing added pain. Need to get a ReLease by inj.
Other stuff not bad but eventually wears off including herbals, body gets used to does not use as did in begin. Good take edge off & get some work or errands done. ONLY Thing found beyond all rest... Hugggggssss, TO ALL IN NEED...
(Sorry for selling puter problems)
Posts: 746 | From Clearwater/fl/Pinellas | Registered: Jun 2003
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posted
I've been plagued with lower back problems including bad spasms for almost 15yrs.
Never realized it could be related to Lyme until now.
I too tried heat/cold and many different muscle relaxers and pain killers.
The only rx that worked for me was Skelaxin 800mg 4x day.
Posts: 133 | From Philly/NJ | Registered: Nov 2009
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
kerryblue,
It wasn't the acupuncturist. My pain specialist sends people to only 2 acupuncturists that he trusts and neither he nor the acupuncturist ever had somebody react this way. I am also not the only Lyme patient I know who has had this reaction.
My muscles react strongly to any stimulus, whether it be acupuncture, massage, electro-stimulation or exercise.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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