Chronic Pain Support Group
Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...
I've had insomnia since age 8. Back then we didn't take anything b/c we were kids. Now, many years later with a 16 year battle with RSD still raging, I take the appropriate pain meds for the excruciating pain and it works well. I also was put on Diazepam for muscle spasms in the leg. As I get older, that also includes muscle spasms in the arm, shoulder and of course, back. And add to that, Ambien for insomnia.
So I took an ambien just now, as I'm at a hotel alone, with a long drive behind me & meeting up with DH & son tomorrow. I have a bed to MYSELF and have been not getting much sleep of late. The ambien is working, but unfortunately, the weather changes brought spasms like crazy in my leg, and I'm also experiencing odd pain-muscle strain in my shoulder. Normally I'd take a muscle relaxant. But how long do I wait? If I took a pill that works as a sleep med (Ambien) can I even TAKE the diazepam?
I've never had muscle spasms after taking ambien- i am usually asleep. But I drove hours and hours today and my left arm/shoulder is just killing me. If I could reach I would massage it, b/c it feels like another pinched nerve or muscle strain. But between the leg cramps and arm/shoulder spasms, I am confused. I've taken all my meds as usual, but I didn't take the diazepam for spasms.
I don't think I'm going to die or anything, that's not it. I just wonder why, after so many years, this is actually happening. The muscle aches and pains are BAD. Yes, a diazepam would help, But as Ambien is a sleep drug and diazepam is a sedating muscle relaxant, wouldn't they make me, I don't know, too relaxed?
That sounds silly, I know. I just want to sleep. My day tomorrow and the days after are full and crazy, and this is my last chance for a full night's sleep for a week.. I've been here at CP for a long time and always wondered when it would be my turn to ask something embarrassing. And it is embarrassing b/c I don't know the answer after 16 years!
If I wait 4 full hours after the Ambien, would taking a diazepam or half of one, even, be a BAD thing? I can't get hold of my doctor at this time and would feel stupid asking this over the phone. I WILL bring it up at the next appt. Until then, does anyone have a similar problem, or know what is acceptable?
All I know is that when I had dental surgery, the dentist gave me an IV of valium and some pain killer AFTER a sleeping pill and I didn't even fall asleep. So b/c I'm one of the few who react well to diazepam versus other muscle relaxant meds, I'm sitting here on a lovely comfy bed, wondering if I should take it or not. Should I try to sleep w/o it again? Or just wait a few hours and take it?
Decisions, decisions. If it wasn't for the added back and shoulder spasms, I think I could take it. But the pain is getting so bad I even took ibuprofen, which helped a bit. It upsets my stomach, but it helped. Now, I need ONE night's sleep before getting to my Monster-in-law's house tomorrow. Dread!!!!!!
Sorry to bother you all- I just have no one to ask and don't want to suffer if I don't HAVE to.
Any advice is appreciated, thanks!
So I took an ambien just now, as I'm at a hotel alone, with a long drive behind me & meeting up with DH & son tomorrow. I have a bed to MYSELF and have been not getting much sleep of late. The ambien is working, but unfortunately, the weather changes brought spasms like crazy in my leg, and I'm also experiencing odd pain-muscle strain in my shoulder. Normally I'd take a muscle relaxant. But how long do I wait? If I took a pill that works as a sleep med (Ambien) can I even TAKE the diazepam?
I've never had muscle spasms after taking ambien- i am usually asleep. But I drove hours and hours today and my left arm/shoulder is just killing me. If I could reach I would massage it, b/c it feels like another pinched nerve or muscle strain. But between the leg cramps and arm/shoulder spasms, I am confused. I've taken all my meds as usual, but I didn't take the diazepam for spasms.
I don't think I'm going to die or anything, that's not it. I just wonder why, after so many years, this is actually happening. The muscle aches and pains are BAD. Yes, a diazepam would help, But as Ambien is a sleep drug and diazepam is a sedating muscle relaxant, wouldn't they make me, I don't know, too relaxed?
That sounds silly, I know. I just want to sleep. My day tomorrow and the days after are full and crazy, and this is my last chance for a full night's sleep for a week.. I've been here at CP for a long time and always wondered when it would be my turn to ask something embarrassing. And it is embarrassing b/c I don't know the answer after 16 years!
If I wait 4 full hours after the Ambien, would taking a diazepam or half of one, even, be a BAD thing? I can't get hold of my doctor at this time and would feel stupid asking this over the phone. I WILL bring it up at the next appt. Until then, does anyone have a similar problem, or know what is acceptable?
All I know is that when I had dental surgery, the dentist gave me an IV of valium and some pain killer AFTER a sleeping pill and I didn't even fall asleep. So b/c I'm one of the few who react well to diazepam versus other muscle relaxant meds, I'm sitting here on a lovely comfy bed, wondering if I should take it or not. Should I try to sleep w/o it again? Or just wait a few hours and take it?
Decisions, decisions. If it wasn't for the added back and shoulder spasms, I think I could take it. But the pain is getting so bad I even took ibuprofen, which helped a bit. It upsets my stomach, but it helped. Now, I need ONE night's sleep before getting to my Monster-in-law's house tomorrow. Dread!!!!!!
Sorry to bother you all- I just have no one to ask and don't want to suffer if I don't HAVE to.
Any advice is appreciated, thanks!
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My 6mo twin DD's are EBF and just started rice cereal on the first. Everything has been going fine except this morning one of them had a diaper rash (lots of redness around her anus). I read this as one of the signs of an allergy. BUT I did just buy a different brand diaper yesterday (which they have used randomly before w/no issues). Do you think its the cereal or the diaper? Im ready to start...
The good news is: you are alive.
Seriously though, hubby has always frowned at me for pain and doctor and medicine. Now we are both close to ...... well realty old,he is getting those aches and pains too.
A long drive in this cold would give me spasms too. I'd take note shower.I know that is not an option for you.
Can you order a glass of wine? Drink one sip every 5 minutes till those muscle relax.
At that speed, one sip per 5 minutes, you won't be so fast. For more control than a whole pill or the entire glass fast.
Of course, then you might not want to try a pill later......
Well sorry maybe all I can do it suggest some.choclate
That's okay- It's difficult for me to get a sip down anyway. I never understood alcohol- it tastes bad and burns your throat! But IF I were normal, it'd be a great suggestion. I guess I'm going to keep watching the clock and hope that 4 hours is long enough between ambien and diazepam.
So right about the age thing- now when I hurt I don't even know why! ;)
Ahhh, well it was just a suggestion.
Sorry, I don't have anything else.
While the two are different classes of meds, together they can cause respiratory depression and prolonged sleep. But if you're not sleeping, they won't kill you and I'm sure you have a high tolerance for meds since you've had RSD for so long.
I wouldn't add alcohol to the mix though. Do you remember a girl named Karen Quinlan? She died from taking valium with alcohol. Well, she died eventually. It was because of her that we now have advanced directives and DNR statuses.
Didn't mean to scare you but it's not wise to drink alcohol when you take narcotics.
I hope you're fast asleep by now. I'm on my 3rd trazodone and 2nd NuCynta for the night and still can't get to sleep. Sigh.....
Hope your trip goes well and you're back home soon!
Sandy
PS. Chocolate has caffeine in it, so it probably isn't a good idea to eat it when you're trying to get to sleep. Sorry:(
They are prescribed together by the same doctor.
Hope you get better.
Now I'm out on the couch at my MIL's and aching all over but it's better than sharing a bed with DH and DS (Dear son) b/c the double bed is way too small for 2 adults and a 3 year old. I'm always terrified my foot or leg will end up kicked or even touched. So it's the expensive sofa for me.
Thanks again for all the advice. Now I know I don't need to wait 8 hours to get rid of muscle spasms. It's nice to know on the few days a month I can take the ambien.
Happy Holidays Everyone! :)