Hi benzenering, I am very sensitive to most meds. I could not take any of the pain meds without getting drowsy. I only took them at night time when I was in too much pain to get comfortable.
Has your back pain been diagnosed? Xray?

I was treating for muscle pain, and after xray realized I had arthritis, spinal stenosis and scoliosis. MRI diagnosed DDD too.
I was given opiates which I don't take and prescribed a Spinal epidural, which I have not gotten.

I use Ice packs every night, and some mornings. I am doing Pilates to strengthen my core, and I attempt to be careful how I move. Some days are better than others for me.

Best wishes for a successful strategy to relieve your back pain!!!

Muscle pain can be fixed with exercise.

There has been no forthcoming information from my doctor. She felt around my back where i was complaining, then prescribed the muscle relaxer. There has been no recommendation from her other than suggesting a massage and a chiropractor and maybe a TENS unit.

I haven't tried any of those things yet because I am a contract worker and don't get paid if I'm not at work, and getting a massage or going to the chiropractor will cost me a lot in time missed from work and paying the copay of my insurance additionally. I have to pick up a TENS unit at a nearby supply place, but they close at 5 pm too so I'll have to lose time at work for doing that as well.

Yogacat, I am very concerned about getting sleepy on this med as I will be at work, 45 min from home, when I take it. Did you ever try cutting your pills in half? That's what I think I'll do, take a half dose first and see how I react. Did it work for you, even though you were sleepy? Should I be using ice packs instead of a heating pad?

I find flexeril less effective and have a groggy feel the day after I take it and I only take it at bedtime when my muscles are really spasms. So it's hard to tell what you will feel. You can try it on your day off perhaps. I'm pretty sensitive to muscle relaxers but your doctor should have given you some exercises to help unless he feels you've really strained a muscle. Time will tell on this one. If it doesn't go away in a couple of weeks, you may end up needing x-ray or an mri. What area is hurting?

It's always a good idea not to drive right away after starting any new medication. Wait until you see how you react to it. When I started my medication, I slept, for the most part, for three days. Then I was able to do something a bit more each day.
It took over a week before I felt ok to drive.
Ask your Dr about exercises you can do to strengthen your core and the muscles involved in your particular problem. As long as your Dr says it's ok. There are usually ones that will not only strengthen them, but will also relieve the pain some.
Most pain meds are hard on your liver and kidneys. I take milk thistle for liver health. It works wonderfully. For your kidneys? Drink lots, and lots ( did I say LOTS ?) of water! Flushing your system is always a good thing.
I only take the muscle relaxers my Dr put me on, at night. I took them two times, in the morning when I first started them. The prescription says twice a day. I didn't like how they made me feel when I took them in the AM. So, I use heat and stretching during the day and only take them at night, when I go to bed.