From Valium to Flexeril

[Guest]

Finally made the transition from Valium to Flexeril for PF spasms.

I had little difficulty reducing Valium, but it was VERY difficult to eliminate it completely.

Although Valium really works for reducing PF spasms, anyone currently taking Valium should be aware of its addiction potential (as I learned).

Matt

[webslave]

Gee, Matt, I didn't realize you were battling with a Valium problem! That's too bad.

I occasionally use Lorazepam, a cousin of Valium, for anxiety, but I have a pill cutter



and only take 1/4 to 1/2 a 1mg tablet at any one time, and never for more than a few days consecutively. I'm mindful of warnings like yours from the past!

Thanks for the cautionary tale.

[Guest]

How much valium did they have you on matt? Like mark said, Ativan is a better choice..... I think that it works not only because, it reduces muscle spasm's. but more likely, the effect it has on your anxiety condition, wich is the cause of the spasm's anyway. I'm not so sure you will get this effect from the flex. I admire your will to overcome addiction... I just beat an addiction to Percoset, so I know what your going through... I prefer Xanax for my anxiety, and I have tried them all... I know, people will disagree, but for me, Xanax works best for me. I tried Valium, but it just felt like as soon as the effects wore off, my mind? Body? wanted more. Xanax seems to stay with me all day. I take 1mg tablet an hour before bed, and it seems to curb anxiety all day. I have never uped the dosage, and we are talkin ten years here. I pick a day once a week to go without it, and seem to do ok. You will more than likely have a flare for a while because of the withdrawls, it was the case for me with the percoset.. But I am back on track now. Seems our type of personality, has the will to overcome addiction, or any other thing in our way. I have overcome drug addiction, obesity, lost 150 lbs and other trials in life. Next stop.... CPPS

[MastCells]

Matt, when you were first prescribed Valium, what dose was it, and what directions did your doctor give you on when and how to take it?

[MastCells]

Like mark said, Ativan is a better choice.....

When has Mark ever said that Ativan is a better choice than Valium (diazepam)?

I'm not so sure you will get this effect from the flex.

Flexeril is not an anxiolytic, but it is a very effective muscle relaxant.

[Guest]

Mark didn't say that, sorry, thought he might be hinting at it though... Yes flexeril is not an anxiolytic. but a very potent muscle relaxer. That was my point. IMO I think that drugs like Valium, Ativan, Xanax, ect. work because they are anxiolytic drugs. Anxiety I believe is the root cause of CPPS,and the reason most of us are here anyway. Not saying, the flexeril won't help for the spasms, but won't do much for anxiety.

[MS]

How much valium did they have you on matt?

Over a three year period, I started at 5mg, 3 X daily; increased to 10mg, 3 X daily for several months when my spasms were intolerable. I then reduced to 20 mg per day (5mg X 4) and maintained this dose for well over a year.

For the past six months I very slowly reduced to 5mg per day while I started the Flexeril (15mg/day).

I have and use the pill cutter that Webslave recommended. I would recommned this too as it allowed me to reduce dosage very slowly.

Matt, when you were first prescribed Valium, what dose was it, and what directions did your doctor give you on when and how to take it?

Initially, the 5mg were "as needed up tp 3 doses per day," but by the next visit the instructions were 5mg TID. I took one in the morning, one in the early afternoon (when the spasms were worst) and one about three hours later. I did not need them at bedtime.

You will more than likely have a flare for a while because of the withdrawls

Fortunately, I have not had any flare-ups. Perhaps because I reduced the dosage VERY slowly (about 1mg per week). The only withdrawal effect that I noticed is insomnia.

I tried Zanaflex about two years ago, but there were too many side effects (I would fall asleep on-the-spot and my mouth would completely dry out). I also tried Baclofen, which had absolutely no effect.

Yes flexeril is not an anxiolytic. but a very potent muscle relaxer. That was my point. IMO I think that drugs like Valium, Ativan, Xanax, ect. work because they are anxiolytic drugs. Anxiety I believe is the root cause of CPPS,and the reason most of us are here anyway. Not saying, the flexeril won't help for the spasms, but won't do much for anxiety.

Although Valium is indeed an anti-anxiety medication, I took it as muscle-relaxant. I disagree that anxiety is the root cause of CPPS, but I strongly believe that anxiety perpetuates it.

I'll keep you posted...

[MastCells]

Over a three year period, I started at 5mg, 3 X daily; increased to 10mg, 3 X daily for several months when my spasms were intolerable. I then reduced to 20 mg per day (5mg X 4) and maintained this dose for well over a year.

IMO, benzos should only be taken PRN during bad chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome flares or anxiety attacks, not for more than three days in a row. If benzos are taken every day for months, physical and psychological dependence are very likely, if not inevitable.

Slowly weening off of the benzos was a smart but difficult thing to do, and it takes a strong person to do what you did, Matt.

I tried Zanaflex about two years ago, but there were too many side effects (I would fall asleep on-the-spot and my mouth would completely dry out).

Same experience I had with Zanaflex. POW! It would knock me out just like that.