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Neurology (Expert Forum)
?? about prescribed med.
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?? about prescribed med.
by Basil, Nov 17, 2001 12:00AM
I was an outpatient at the CCF last December. I saw a Dr. in the Neurology Dept. regarding what she diagnosed as back spasms in Thoracic and Cervical areas. She prescribed Zanaflex after seeing my MRI and having an EMG and blood tests. Zanaflex worked wonderfully and for 3 months was almost free of spasms, which had been occurring 10 -12 times each day, lasting 15 to 30 min. But since then the med has gradually lost effeciveness until now; I still take it, but the effect is limited and I am almost back to where I was a year ago.
These spasms start in upper middle of my back, radiating out to underarms, down arms, across chest, up to neck and then jaw and are excruciating; it's hard to breathe during them. My question is: Is there anything that can be added to this med or a different one that would help? I am not a surgical candidate and am glad for this, but life is back to hell for me. I would come back to the Clinic, but am without health insurance until October 200l when I will be eligible for Medicare; my late husband's Ins. Co. dropped me this month. My PCP is happy to prescribe whatever helps, as advised by CCF doctor. Pain meds as such do not work. Thank you.PH
These spasms start in upper middle of my back, radiating out to underarms, down arms, across chest, up to neck and then jaw and are excruciating; it's hard to breathe during them. My question is: Is there anything that can be added to this med or a different one that would help? I am not a surgical candidate and am glad for this, but life is back to hell for me. I would come back to the Clinic, but am without health insurance until October 200l when I will be eligible for Medicare; my late husband's Ins. Co. dropped me this month. My PCP is happy to prescribe whatever helps, as advised by CCF doctor. Pain meds as such do not work. Thank you.PH
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT, Nov 17, 2001 12:00AM
There's a few things you could do use IN PLACE OF, and NOT IN ADDITION TO the Zanaflex, of course depending on why you're having the spasms. Treatments includes
1. Baclofen starting with 5mg three times a day and titrate upwards slowly up to 80mg/day total.
2.Klonopin 0.5mg per day and titrate slowly.
3.Valium 2mg twice a day and titrate up slowly.
All of these medications can be sedating and some addictive. Hope this helps.
1. Baclofen starting with 5mg three times a day and titrate upwards slowly up to 80mg/day total.
2.Klonopin 0.5mg per day and titrate slowly.
3.Valium 2mg twice a day and titrate up slowly.
All of these medications can be sedating and some addictive. Hope this helps.
