Anyone take or have taken Zanaflex/Tizanidine for pain?

[mkh9]

Hi group,
Today I went to the neurologist and no not have MS, yeah! The neurologist thinks I have myofascial pain (so did the pain doctor) so she decided to give me Zanaflex . I think the thought is to reduce pain due to the pain signal from the brain to the injured area. I am very worried about side effects and would like to know of your experiences and withdrawal if you had any. Also, did it help your back pain if you have it?
thanks
mkh9

[mkh9]

Hi glad to hear from  you. Hope you are doing ok today. I have gotten my walks up to 48 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the afternoon. My pain level has gone down somewhat without drugs but since they think I need to stop the pain signaling if that is what is happening I will try one of the drugs. I was given Savella today but I can't take it because I take Sumatriptan for my migraines and it interacts. Anyway, I hope I don't get the serious side effects of Zanaflex. I am going to the integrative pain management center next Tuesday. I hope they don't hurt me and make me go backwards since I feel ok.  I am always concerned about that. I get mixed messages as to what myofascial pain is but I have one spot that hurts to touch and is near the SI but noone thinks I have that. The pain is definitely cycling good day (pain about a 2 or3) bad day (pain about a 5 or6). It is better with Ibupropin if I take it regularly. So, I don't know but hope they can help as my husband is getting tired and depressed. I feel sorry I have this effect on him but it is a combo of my problem with his own grief over the loss of his brother and dad. Anyway, I just wanted to talk to you for  a minute.
take care,
Mkh9

[mkh9]

Wow, I did see the hallucinations and paranoia as a side effect. I don't want to get that. I guess I will try it and see what happens. Wish me luck! I am supposed to take it to help me sleep and as a muscle relaxant at bedtime so hopefully I won't get the sideeffects at night.  I'm surprised you stayed on the drug with hallucinations. I won't.
All drugs have pretty bad side effects for pain mangement it seems.
mkh9

[ferret5]

I have been using zanaflex for about 3 years now (along with some other meds for pain and arthritis). The zanaflex definitely helps. I cant say that my meds totally get rid of the pain but they make it much more manageable. I definitely notice a difference  when I forget to take meds. I believe zanaflex is the one med that has really been keeping me going. When I dont take it I am definitely in more pain and feel much stiffer. I havent had any negative side effects from it. I usually take it before I go to bed because it will make you drowsy.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Mkh,

Great news! I am so very happy for you. Myofascial pain can be difficult to treat....but with a trial and error approach with meds your physician(s) should be able to find the "right" meds for you.

Zanaflex or Tizanidine is primarily used to relieve the spasms and increased muscle tone. It use to be primarily prescribed for those with multiple sclerosis.

It is a short acting skeletal muscle relaxant. It works by blocking nerves that stimulate muscles to contract.  Be sure to read the informational med insert given by your pharmacist in depth.

It has not been prescribed for me. So I am sorry but I do not have any personal information to share with you. Hopefully someone else will have some experience with it. You might want to post in the MS Forum considering this was often used for ppl with that disease condition.

I hope you will let us know how effective it is for you. We all learn from one another.

Best of Luck,
~Tuck