Anyone tried to stop FLEXERIL after long term use?

[Sassisu]

I have been prescribed Flexeril for over a year, as a muscle relaxant for long term back and neck pain...  I was told it was a 'safe' drug, and not to worry about it - it was not addicting. Now, after taking it for this long, I have re-read the patient information packet, and see that it is only for short term use, and I cannot find information on how to titrate off.

I get migraine headaches whenever I stop taking it for any length of time, as well as other symptoms...  Can anyone help me with their experience, referrals to information sources, or even to experts who have the infomation I seek?

thank you in advance,  Sassisu

[Livn_W_lupus_nd_fibromyalgia]

Hi I don't know if I am spelling correctly but have you tried suboxen..it's so you can come off opiates with no withdrawal symptoms and I think for norco lortab or other vicodens it works well..

[Rxed]

I was prescribed Fleveril for over two years straight for back pain that stems from an old spinal fracture and bone spurs. When I tried to stop, I became sick. Diarrhea every morning and throughout the day, among other things such as (i actually spent the night in the hospital after 8hours of vomiting...) blurred vision, anxiety, depression and sweating. I got a second physician to help me titrate off of the drug. I started taking 10mg once a day for a month, then 7.5 for several weeks, then 5mg, then 2.5mg. I have now been off for a month or more and my diarrhea and anxiety and sweating are still plaguing me on an all-day long basis. This is a dangerous drug that stays in your body for a long time. It should not be prescribed as a "safe, non-addictive solution for pain" As it stands, I don't know when, or if, I will ever be well again...

[Rxed]

I was prescribed Fleveril for over two years straight for back pain that stems from an old spinal fracture and bone spurs. When I tried to stop, I became sick. Diarrhea every morning and throughout the day, among other things such as (i actually spent the night in the hospital after 8hours of vomiting...) blurred vision, anxiety, depression and sweating. I got a second physician to help me titrate off of the drug. I started taking 10mg once a day for a month, then 7.5 for several weeks, then 5mg, then 2.5mg.
The 3day month long titration did not work. I have now been off for a month or more and my diarrhea and anxiety and sweating are still plaguing me on an all-day long basis. This is a dangerous drug that stays in your body for a long time. It should not be prescribed as a "safe, non-addictive solution for pain" As it stands, I don't know when, or if, I will ever be well again...

[Hearsay1]

I, too, have experienced GREAT difficulty trying to stop Flexeril after 10 mg per night for two years.  Sweats, anxiety, knots in stomach. The pharmacist said that very slow tapering was required and that it would still be difficult. Since I have terrible days when I do not sleep, I am staying on it.  So far no liver problems.

[Sassisu]

Hi all,

I haven't visited in a long time, and I apologize to anyone who has specifically sritten to me and waited for a response.  Hopefully, by reading all of the posts, your questions were addressed, or you were validated in your symptomology.  I am not a medical professional, so I really can't give specific advice, other than to say if you are pretty sure you are in withdrawal - and that it isn't something else happening, try to start a taper regime.  Go slowly, and you will increase your success at titrating off flexeril for good.

To anyone still interested in this forum topic, my conclusion as well as the results reported here suggest that flexeril is problematic - to say the least - to certain people, and simply not a problem at all to others.  I think more research needs to be done to finesse out the real answers, since there are so many variables that could be influencing the reactions one has.  

My take home message is to be much more cautious with Any medication, since it is not possible for every reaction to be anticipated in every person...  I just wish there were a better answer than drugs for chronic and acute pain.  I know there are many other modalities out there, like accupressure, accupuncture, massage, etc...  However, I continue to see the need for more options. Thanks everyone...  Hang it there... who know if the miracle is just around the corner?

Sassisu

[Lkf1]

I finally went to a pain specialist. She did a neurotomy on my back-- burn the nerves so they can't transmit the pain. I thought the pain would stop pretty soon after, but it didn't. I have been doing warm pool therapy and exercises to strengthen my core, and am certainly doing a lot better. Enough to try getting off the 20 mg flexeril at night, but have been having side effects from this. Lkf

[KaitieR]

I have been taking flexeril for over 1.5 years. For the last 3 months I have only been taking one 10mg a day. I haven't taken any for 3 days. I am not getting headaches just mild coughing and congestion in the middle if the night, and I'm only able to sleep about four hours a night for two days. Very, very mild symptoms that only happen when I stop taking it. I have had to go through withdrawals from addictive pain killers before -- so far this doesn't even come close. It's just a little uncomfortable at night  and I am at about 75 percent energy. It doesn't seem to last long.