My neck and back muscles are so cramped up they are screaming. It really hurts. Does anyone take anything over the counter that helps? I don't want to start spending money on everything on the shelf if I can help it. I would rather not call the dr. and get a muscle relaxer script either. I just don't want anymore drugs with all the side effects! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
How about a heating pad? I also recently got a TENS unit and absolutely love it but know that others don't like them. For me it is a great drug free way to lower the pain levels and relax. I also have a sonic sound machine like the sound therapy one can get at their PT's. I love that as well.
I do take 5 mg of Flexeril at night and find that at that low dose I get the relaxing of my neck but not grogginess.
I hope you find what works for you soon.
I did drink a cup of Natural Calm. I had forgotten I had it but found that suggestion when searching online. The relief was immediate. It relaxed the muscles. Now, I am left with the ache.
Angie, I already take one antidepressant too. I wouldn't be happy with another one either. I have been thinking the one I'm on isn't working well enough. So, that is probably contributing too.
I feel like such a mess. Nothing feels right and I take so darn many pills. I must have done too much yesterday because my arms and legs are achy today as well.
Hopefully, tomorrow will be better. It'll be an early night for me!
Forgive my ignorance....but what is natural calm?
Maybe take a really hot shower and let the water beat down on your neck. I works for me at night to relax me.
Take care & get better soon
CinDee
You are not ignorant, Cindee! I should have explained that. It is a health food store item. It is magnesium supplement. I was reading that Doans pills and such were magnesium and aspirin. I didn't want the aspirin anyway. Worked like a charm! I used to drink it alot. It is a great stress reliever!
I was thinking I would go out to the hot tub tonight. That sounds good. As long as I still have the energy.
I have several 'magic bags'. I love them. I use whole flax seed though instead of rice. I like the feel and it seems to hold the heat better. I bought some crushed peppermint leaves at the health food store which I add to keep my sinuses unplugged. I am constantly heating them up.
My daughter took my foam pillow. I am going to have to reclaim it!
Watchingwolf have you ever had a PT use a sonic sound machine? It sends sound waves deep into the painful area and a gel is put on the area first. It is not legal to sell them in the states but I got mine from Canada thru Ebay. You can google Sonic Sound or Home Sonic Sound. The sound waves create heat that promotes healing. It was about 0 but so worth it that I just stuck it on a credit card.
I have pulled a muscle on my ribs which is terribly painful and after one or two treatments from hubby the area is nearly healed. I love mine for that extreme pain no pain med touches.
I also have a Dr Scholls brand massager and it is the best one that I have come accross. Great for tight muscles. I have a great mom who buys me these machines in a effort to help.
I use my tens unit and / or the moist heat microwave pads. I'm thinking of getting a hot tub. The microwave pads are great, but after heating up 3 or 4 and placing them all over my body,lol, it would be easier to just jump in a hot tub and relax, lol. We'll see....
Heating Pad and flexerilMy nightly theropy includes (Like 6t5frlane)A Heating pad on my back and flexeril. I also have a heating throw balnket which gives me that all over body warmth I absolutely crave especially during the winter months.
I also have one of these microwaveable sacks that you heat up and use that on my neck a lot lately. I'm not sure what alls in it; but it has something in it that give off this aromatheropy smell. Not sure what it is.....but it's soothing. Certainly doesn't cure anything but it gets me comfortable so I can rest which I've discovered over the years is definately key to managing this disease.
Laura~I take 4 ibuprofen every 4 hours or so during the day if nessesary. I work full time nad don't like taking anything that slows my thinking unless I'm at home. 800mg is what a doctor would prescribe if they gave you a prescription for an antinflammatory; so it's safe enough. Just make sure you eat something first. Never, never, never take it on an empty stomach.
I've been having a time getting warm lately. Especially at night. I mean the cold seems to go all the way to the bone and it makes me so uncomfortable. My husband got me some sleepy time tea yesterday at the grocery store and brought me some last night once I got set up for my nightly routine. I'm not sure if it was the flexeril or the tea; but I suspect the combination of both really seemed to settle me down. Not sure what's in the stuff; but I liked it alot.
I took 2 naproxen and that seemed to help. Is flexeril a script?
Thanks for all the suggestions. I really appreciate it!