Hi Randy, Good to hear from you again.

I have that that problem to. Right know my worst part is my right side of neck and traps, they just want let go. I use a Moist heat pad--e-bay, well worth it. and my tens unit helps, but even with these i'm having problems.
If you can, get some good massage in, that should help some to, the keys is to get them at least weekly for a couple or more, then span it out. Once a month. Even if you just get a half hour on these problem spots, so you can get them more often.

hope this helps

hugs sandi

Yup, I get them too. I try moist heat, massage, arthritic/pain rubs, drinking extra fluids, eating a bannana every day to make sure I get enough pottasium. I also have a muscle relaxer that I can take if needed. All of this and still at times not much relief. Hope that you can get some relief soon.

Nice to see you back Randy.

I have dealth with these tight muscles most of my life. The first time I went to this great masseuse she spent an hour on my neck and shoulders, trying to get them to relax. Didn't work, but it felt wonderful.

What has helped me more than anything else is meditation and yoga. Learning to deeply relax my mind, helped my muscles to relax. I find when I get away from my practice, my muscles slowly tighten up again until they are so painful I can't ignor them.

Thanks for reminding me I need to get back into practice. Good Luck {{{HUGZ}}} SG

Mr. Hot-Lan-ta himself sure gald you popped up!

I have when I been travaling and I am sitting too long or if I had a good day and over worked those muscles.

Stops me short, when I am preparing a meal that requires a lot of peeling chopping etc my left hand will freeze up to the point I can not open or close it...over use se I would have to say.

Gald that you stopped in, miss you around these parts!

Hugs

Sue

Hello, new since you've been away.
I take a anti spasmatic pill but after 2 yrs i have halved my doses to 30mg,Dr wanted it..Which is giving me symptoms.

Every day, Randy, I have those darn rocks. (And I am glad to see you, BTW!)

Nothing breaks up the knots these days but moist heat, pressure point massage, and meds all combined.... and even so I'll stlil get them to the point my legs hurt beyond the telling of it. Right now I have a damaged spinal nerve that is causing spasms so badly in my thighs that my kneecaps feel half-ripped off, alas! I am doing weekly pressure point massage (not same as trigger point, less painful for one thing) and will be laerning passive stretching, and I ice the damaged spinal nerve.

I am glad that the fatigue is better:-) but very sorry to hear the muscle pain is so much worse. Might be time to get the spine checked? if you haven't?

Hugs,
Leo

I used to joke that I had steel cables in my neck and shoulders instead of muscles. The only thing that really has worked for me is deep tissue massage. Like, really deep - the kind that hurts when you get it, but two days later you feel oh so much better! I've actually come out of my massage therapist's house with bruises. Gosh I miss her!

I've found that massage that is too light or too fast, just rubbing the surface, actually makes me worse and can set off a flare. I've probably been to two dozen massage therapists, and only found two that made me feel better rather than worse.

Welcome back Randy

Yes all the time I can't take a message hurts like hell only use heat and light exercise like stretching gently to try to loosen them up in the back, neck and the legs and arms. Becarefull don't over do it.

You may want to try adding magnesium if you haven't already. I used to get spasms and cramps in my calf, thigh and neck muscles and I couldn't bear to have anyone touch it. I would try to rub it out with my fist, it would hurt so bad.

I had read that people with fibromyalgia don't get enough magnesium, and I know it's good for baths (epsom salts). I started a combination of malic acid and magnesium and I rarely have these problems now unless I'm in a flare.

Take care!

I want to say thanks to everyone who has responded to my post.
Your input is greatly appreciated and helps me know what other folks who suffer this way experience. Also let me thank you all so much for the tips on what works for the alleviation of the pain.

Yes, I was active on this board some months ago, maybe even a year or so ago, it is just that Im really outdone with this condition and for the most part dont want to talk about it much anymore. In fact I suppose that Im dealing with a little bitterness. I know that there are others who suffer just as bad as I do and worse. There are children who are under 10 years old with cancer who may not see another year and the list goes on and on. For the most part I havent had to deal with bitterness, but now in all honesty, Im facing it eye to eye now and it isnt easy.

I hope everyone the best and take care of yourselves,

Randy

Hello! I have tight muscles in my neck and traps...there are painful knots which came and go. I try to get a deep massage once per month; but not always. I use Biofreeze and take Epsom salt baths.

When I was lots younger, I used to say my neck felt like a tree trunk...

I have a lot of trouble relaxing....seems I am always uptight and I even hold my breath...