Tizanidine for Muscle Spasm User Reviews (Page 2)

• Pasto...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 27, 2017

Zanaflex (tizanidine) "I have been taking Tizanadine for 10 yrs. for severe muscle spasticity in neck and back due to RSD/CRPS, plus spinal stenosis, bulging discs, and previous car accident neck and spine injuries. Dose: 4 mg, 3 daily, usually 4 mg in the morning and 8 mg at night. I have found it very helpful. At first, it was very sedating, but not after a year or so. It does help me sleep. Works best with the help of pain meds and Baclofen cream. I had a serious drug interaction with SSRI antidepressants (particularly Luvox): actually passed out in my soup at a restaurant the first time I took them together. Hope this helps."

• Another...
• October 29, 2014

Zanaflex (tizanidine) "I've been on various pain meds and muscle relaxants for years. Soma was working till these past 6 months. I have severe Spinal Stenosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Had Cervical Fusion in C5 & C in Jan 1st 2014, had Lumbar fusion in L5 & L4 about 5 years ago & now have Severe Herniated Disc's again at the L5 S1 region with nasty nerve pain radiating down Entire right leg to toes, along with Nasty Muscle Spasms & will be having another surgery soon. Been taking this for 3 days & doing great so far!"

• Belinda
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 17, 2015

Zanaflex (tizanidine) "I was prescribed Zanaflex for muscle spasms and to help me sleep. I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, osteo/degenerative arthritis, sciatica, and an unspecified autoimmune disorder. It was prescribed as 3-4mg tablets at bedtime but that was too high a dose for me. Sometimes, I have the side effect of really low BP, although I have been taking HIGH BP meds for 5+ years. It doesn't happen all the time (when I take it) but it is very scary when it does happen. I have black outs, feel incredibly high, and can't hold my eyes open, at times. The blood pressure drops have happened, in the past, when I was not on Zanaflex, but this medication just seems to make it worse and I am not going to take it anymore. The side effects are too scary."

• Slip...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2019

"I have terrible back issues from a herniated disc. Pain and muscle spasms constantly and this drug tizanidine works! It had helped me so much that now I can do a heck of a lot more physical activity and most importantly I CAN SLEEP. Without this drug I was lucky to get 5 to 6 hours of sleep a night. It does make me dizzy sometimes which sucks but its well worth it."

• Tater
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 10, 2018

Zanaflex (tizanidine) "I've been on this medication for about a year now I'm prescribed 4mg three times a day. I can't take the whole 4mg during the day or else I'll be to sedated so I break it in half. It has worked well for me especially when I can't sleep and I take a whole dose. I try not to take it everyday so I keep a low tolerance to it. I have fibromyalgia along with other health issues."

• tunatea
• September 21, 2013

Zanaflex (tizanidine) "This has served duty as a sleep aid and muscle relaxer. I seemed to never get sleep until I tried this. My neck pain is much better. Only bad note is I'm a little more tired but it's worth it for the pay offs."

• candys...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2014

Zanaflex (tizanidine) "I was prescribed this medication for muscle pain related to rheumatoid arthritis and chronic tendonitis. Personally I'm VERY sensitive to this medication and suffer the "rare: side effects slurred speech, hallucinations (only at night) disorientation (I've gotten lost in my own room twice when I take 4 mg) low heart rate. The highest dose I have taken is 8mg with Xanax for my anxiety, once I stayed awake although drowsy, I watched a movie; the second time I woke up in ICU for bradycardia, hypotension and change in level of consciousness. Despite talking this daily for 2 months, I still have side effects. My husband says this medicine makes me drunk. I have been taking 1mg at a time. It does work well."

• Zan
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 26, 2019

"I have severe scoliosis which causes me immense pain. I am in pain 24/7 but night is the worst. I am waiting for health insurance to get surgery so In the mean time my doctor prescribed me this. I couldn’t sleep at all before this drug. I would go 3-4 days of no sleep driving me to the point of tears. This pill makes me so light and relaxed that I can fall asleep for at least 4 hours which is a God sent for me!"

• ison
• March 27, 2009

Zanaflex (tizanidine) "I have degenerative disc disease, with anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (bone graft/metal plate and screws) of C5,C6 & C7; for 10 years. I suffer from frequent migraines, severe muscle spasms of the neck, left shoulder and left arm. I have tried every muscle relaxer on the shelf and Zanaflex has been the only one that actually gives me relief and comfort to function and sleep through the night. The only side effect that I have experienced is dry mouth. I just drink more water. I have constant pain and work 12-14 hours per day, six days a week. Zanaflex along with my pain medicines have allowed me to make it through the day without total misery. Also, upon waking in the morning, I don't have that "hangover" feeling as with others."

• Samson
• September 17, 2016

Zanaflex (tizanidine) "I have been on xanaflex 4mg 3x a day that I take at night ti help me sleep. It helps the muscle spasms in my legs and allows me to sleep. The only problem I have is that it only lasts 4 hours and then I wake up. Works best if you take thr xanaflex, wait 30 minutes and then eat something and the xanaflex will work that much better."

• Cereb...
• November 1, 2013

Zanaflex (tizanidine) "This medicine helps me sleep but that's the best i can say about it. It doesn't relieve pain or help relax my spastisity. If your pain and problems are only at night this is good for you. I hallucinate a lot once I adjusted to the dose it changed but if I ever have to take more than usual then I start to hear and see things......I had conversations with my husband in the middle of the night when he wasn't there. And many other accounts. I would suggest you use caution. I have a very high level of muscle pain for many reasons and I'm very spastic so its not a surprise that Zanaflex doesn't work as well as I'd like for me. I will continue to take it while i explore other options. It isn't a bad medication."

• Ralphie
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 15, 2020

"I’ve suffered from dystonia for about ten years. The only medication that helps is a muscle relaxer. After years on Valium, my movement disorders neurologist wanted me to try something less addictive, so I tried baclofen, then clonopin, neither of which was very effective. Now on tizanidine (zanaflex) at a relatively high dosage, I’ve acclimated to the sedative effects and am now experiencing far less discomfort and pain. I’m very pleased with the effects of this medication."

• Anonymous
• May 31, 2008

Zanaflex (tizanidine) "Wonderful drug! Now available in Generic so doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I have severe disc and arthritic problems in my neck with severe muscle spasms and this really helps. At first when starting this medication it can cause a serious dopey feeling but this can be eased by gradually increasing the dose until benefits are produced. I am on 4mg 3 x a day and allowed to use 8 mg 3 x a day if my muscles are extremely spastic. Do not drive when taking this medication until you understand its effects."

• FEDOUT
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2017

"I have been taking carisoprodol for about 6 years (1 at bedtime) for muscle spasms and a perfect 8 hours of sleep. My doctor will no longer prescribe it due to the FDA interfering in my health. Tizanidine does make me drowsy, but it is only good for about 6 hours, and then I am awake 2 hours before I should be. Severe dry mouth while sleeping is not good. Overall blah feeling due to lack of sleep. Drugs aren't addictive. People are. The Feds need to get out of my healthcare. They can't even balance a budget."

• Grandma...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 30, 2019

"I've been plagued by low back pain, severe muscle spasms and migraines for over 30 years. I've been prescribed too many ineffective or dangerous drugs over those years. I was not expecting much when Tizanidine was prescribed for me. I think this medication has given me back a life and a pain level I can deal with. I use the 4 mg tabs, scored to be able to break in 4. I have found the effectiveness varies. some days I use 3 tabs as prescribed other days 1 or 2 is good enough. I appreciate how quickly this leaves the system. Not everything about this is amazing, some days a whole tab leaves me zombified for several hours. But, for me a retired 63 year old woman. I use this time to rest."

• DrugE...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 6, 2015

Zanaflex (tizanidine) "Take this for Neck Spasms after surgery. Taking now for 2 years. Had major surgery. Do not think this is good for me, anyways. I can not stay awake when I take it, thus, I have to take it only at night, and cannot drive, and please do not drive if you take this medication as it, for me, puts me right out. Told 3 doctors this, they will not give me another med for neck spasms and cramps so I use it as I can. It helps, but does make me dizzy and extremely sleepy. If you have sleep Apnea, be VERY cautious!"

• Anonymous
• August 23, 2008

Zanaflex (tizanidine) "I have been on Zanaflex for about a month now. I have tried many muscle relaxers that have NOT worked at all. I take 4mg 3 times a day. It is a lot better than other medications I have been on, flexerol didn't do anything at all, and Soma just made me totally loopy. Zanaflex relaxes me so well while still allowing me to operate regularly. I highly recommend this medicine, and for those who are just starting this be careful when driving on this. For the first week I only took it before bed time, then on a day off work I took it shortly after waking up and noticed it didn't have any major effects on me except calming my back and neck spasms."

• Jamie
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 8, 2018

"Herniated discs in my neck and back. Back spasms and extreme neck spasms. Sometimes as a 'bonus' they cause migraines/tension headaches. For years they gave me Flexeril, which I hated. It made me lethargic and groggy for almost two days. Finally doctor switched me to tizanidine. What a relief! For me there are no bad side effects. They help me go to sleep in no time, and when I wake up I don't feel groggy or drugged since it has a short half life. I prefer the tablets. Food supposedly affects the level, but I don't notice any difference in strength if I've eaten something. I think it's great just as a sleeping aid in general, and also should be considered for tension headaches. I am grateful tizanidine exists to help."

• Chito...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 15, 2013

"I've had several lower back issues for the majority of my life including surgery. I used to take Flexeril but didn't like the way it made me feel. I told my doc and he switched me to Zanaflex. It has been a God send especially when it comes to sleep. I used to take Ambien but has severe side effects including a dangerous sleepwalking episode. I have replaced Flexeril and Ambien with Zanaflex with incredible results. I take it before bed and am able to get a great nights rest without that horrible "drunk"/drowsy feeling when I get up. The only drawback is I do get very tired approximately 30 min after taking it so I don't use it during the day."

• Punky...
• August 4, 2014

Zanaflex (tizanidine) "My mother had taken this for years for leg cramps. She started having hallucinations. She started by having a dream every night for about a month that involved the same people. When she woke up in the morning, her dreams had become reality for her. I finally convinced her to go off the medication and now no more problems. Her cardiologist suggested she go off the medication about 6 month before."

• errat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 3, 2014

"I have excruciating muscle spasms in my back just on the left side and down my sciatic nerve in my left leg. I have been taking hydrocodone for quite a long time and it only barely did any good along with Flexeril. I finally found a neurologist and he took me off the Flexeril and gave me tizanadine in addition to gabapentin and the hydrocodone. It has been working really well in that I can now stand up long enough to cook dinner where, before, I had to sit down every few minutes just to be able to make a salad, let alone a whole meal. I can grocery shop for as long as it takes without having to go to the pharmacy area to sit and can again shop for clothing, household items and whatever I need for as long as I need. Anyone with hair loss?"

• Jeckl...
• December 12, 2020

"Great for the lower back spasm I was experiencing. I was prescribed Dr Reddy Tizanidine,4mg/8hrs. I did not read the side effects, and the NP did not mention any. Upon taking it, about 30 minutes I was extremely thirsty, more than ever in my entire life. I laid down, and fell almost instantly into the best sleep in a LONG time. However, it was a deeeeep sleep! I had one of the most horrific nightmares ever! I am not talking about just going to the store in my underwear kind of dream, I’m taking about bloody, horrible, nightmares. These were so real and so vivid that I can STILL remember them 2 days later. I woke up and went to pee, 1 hour later vivid dream, pee, repeat all night. At one point, I even heard voices talking outside my house. I couldn’t understand what they were saying."

• Lee
• August 6, 2020

"A few years ago an NP put me on 10mg of baclofen then later 20mg. When I asked for something stronger a couple years later denied me because most twenty-something-year-olds just wanted to get high and if the pain was as bad as I claimed to see a specialist. Which she knew I could not afford to do. I finally saved up enough money to afford a pain specialist and all the out of pocket expenses that is necessary to find out what is wrong. I was prescribed this medication. Within an hour of taking 4mg at 8pm I was knocked out within an hour. I woke up at midnight foggy and unable to fall asleep until 2am. When I woke up at 7am from a freakishly vivid nightmare I was EVEN MORE groggy which lasted until about 12pm. I did everything to try to get out of this groggy state of mind including chugging water to flush the medication out of my system, multiple cups of coffee, my prescribed ADD medication and a cold shower. I had to wait it out."

• Ashley
• August 31, 2019

"I was given tizanidine to help with back spasms from 2 herniated disc. Within 10-20 minuets of taking this I was extremely tired. The first time I had the side effect I would wake up a few hours into the night completely drenched in swear and it sounded like people were talking which I live alone. I continued taking it with the same issue every night after a week in I woke up with hallucinations. I had never been so scared in my life it lasted a good hour. I never took it again and when reading up on it after this is a common side effect. I just want to warn other people before taking this medicine."

• booltr
• January 31, 2016

Zanaflex (tizanidine) "Well, I really am satisfied w/this medicine. I take it combo w/my pain medication. I was in a car accident two years ago and aside from the pain meds helping me w/pain, this is what actually allows the muscles themselves able to relax so I can sleep better. The one I really can't stand is 'flexeril". I don't what the deal is w/that because of anything, it makes ALL of my extremeties "jump"...like restless leg, but restless EVERYWHERE...(the legs too). The big problem is actually I got a new pain dr., but he only believes in one muscle relaxer and that's baclofen, which does ansolutely NOTHING. His intern told me that I could take two at a time, and still nothing. "