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Have you thought or said some choice words for those stubborn and ignorant people who don’t believe that fibromyalgia is a real condition? I recently read about a woman who got into a fist fight twice over this very issue. That’s a bit much for me, but I certainly can see how that scenario would come about. Support when dealing with this is vital because fibromyalgia is absurdly challenging. The constant pain and discomfort are enough by themselves. But then there’s all the other stuff that comes with it. Beyond managing pain, you also have to deal with depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. And that only names a tiny few of the myriad of symptoms that come with fibro.
Another problem is how the symptoms tend to reinforce each other so that, as one becomes more intense, so do the others. After all, when you’re in intense pain, how can you sleep? Lack of sleep alone will lead to emotional disorders over time, but fibromyalgia generally leads to all of these conditions for most of us. So what can you do about it? We’ve all tried dozens of remedies and techniques. There never seems to be a permanent cure. Why not try one more?
Relax My Muscles? Yes, Please!
There is a treatment option available for these kind of reinforcing symptoms. Doctors will sometimes prescribe a type of medication known as a skeletal muscle relaxant. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? Specifically they prescribe Flexeril, also known as Cyclobenzaprine for fibromyalgia. You may also know it by some other brand names like Amrix, Comfort Pac with Cyclobenzaprine, and Fexmid.
Anyway, Cyclobenzaprine for fibromyalgia has been shown to help many fibromyalgia patients struggling through this exact scenario. Some studies have proven Flexeril to lead to improvements in the pain, chronic fatigue, ability to sleep, and even anxiety and depression levels when taken at a very low dose over a long period of time. Even better news is that those who participated in the study reported few serious side effects at such low dosages.
Your healthcare provider may ask you to use Cyclobenzaprine for fibromyalgia in conjunction with rest and physical therapy to maximize its benefits. But you’ll simply need to talk this over with her.
How Cyclobenzaprine for Fibromyalgia Work?
Flexeril is a muscle relaxant. That means it works by blocking nerve impulses to the brain from the central nervous system. When pain signals can’t be interpreted by the brain, it leads to some measure of pain relief. This, in turn, minimizes the activity of the central nervous system. And that improves the general sensations of discomfort throughout your body. When pain and discomfort are minimized, physical and mental stress and anxiety, as well as depression, stop causing sleep problems. And the more sleep you get, the better your body can heal and recover. Everyone with fibromyalgia understands the value of good sleep in order to improve their quality of life.
This all seems great, right? It is, but…there are some things to consider.
Caution When Using Cyclobenzaprine for Fibromyalgia
One of the biggest issues to be aware of with Flexeril is combining it with other medications. For example, taking it with other drugs that make you tired or slow your breathing can lead to life-threatening side effects. That means that even if you take an herbal supplement to help you rest, like valerian root, you absolutely must tell your doctor first. That also includes sleeping pills, narcotic pain meds, prescription cough medicine, muscle relaxers, or any medication for anxiety, depression, or seizures. You should also be ready to tell your physician what dosages you take of any vitamins and supplements. Since fibro patients tend to try a variety of medications and/or supplements, this may get pretty tricky. Just be sure to talk it all over with your provider to avoid any dangerous or fatal situations.
Side Effects
For most fibromyalgia patients, low doses of Flexeril seem to be the best option. Because every person’s condition is different, however, this is not always the case. Some with fibro benefit from prescribed moderate to higher doses of Flexeril. While it generally has few side effects for most patients in low doses, it’s still important to be aware of what can potentially occur. The most common potential side effects include, but are not limited to:
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Headache
- Nausea
- Constipation
In some cases, severe side effects may occur. When taking Flexeril, if any of the following are experienced, seek immediate emergency medical assistance:
- Severe drowsiness
- Tremors/shaking
- Hallucinations
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of coordination
For all the options available to help with fibromyalgia symptoms, it’s vital to do your homework and ask questions. If you’re healthcare provider makes you feel stupid for asking questions, then fire them! Good doctors actually value questions from their patients. So learn as much as you can and explore any option that is able to improve your quality of life. Even something as simple as a muscle relaxant can make all the difference in the world because it lets your body finally get some rest.
Have you used Cyclobenzaprine for fibromyaliga? What was your experience with it? Have you found a different medication, therapy, or remedy that is able to treat several of your fibromyalgia symptoms at once? Tell us about it, please!
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