Does anyone take Valium (diazepam) for Fibromyalgia (FM) and Chronic Myofascial pain?
Question posted by Emeraldgirl on 10 Aug 2013
Last updated on 17 August 2021 by AllyLiverbird9
I have been on Valium since 2004. initially for CMP and continued with it when FM was diagnosed. My Dr stopped it recently he could not justify why. Now the only muscle relaxant I am on is Amitriptyline 25mg at night and this does nothing to ease the muscles at all.I intend to see my specialist to get my Valium reinstated. I was just wondering how many other people on this forum take Valium for FM & CMP? (comments from Kaismama, PenelopeN, Mac12 and bruthd to a previous question duly noted)
I also suffer with fibromyalgia and were on 5mg diazepam, 7.5mg zopiclone but what your Gp has done with you there doing exactly the same to me reducing the mg and cutting me back to 2mg 1 a day (diazepam) and reduced my zoppies to 3.75mg 10 a fortnight, I'm ringing to speak to a gp tomorrow as I only registered with this practice in February and they know nothing about my health background and what I've been through, never seen a Dr at this practice yet so for them to reduce my meds which I've also been on for 25yrs is a disgrace. Hope you get them reinstated as I will be telling them straight tomorrow and if they don't put me back on what I was I will simply move to a different practice! Goodluck.
Votes: +0
AD
adoptmeow
17 Aug 2021
I have tried dozens of drugs for fibromyalgia since 1984. Amitriptyline a few hours before bedtime was the only one that helped me feel better in the morning. It didn't cause bad side effects.
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WR
Wryverist
17 Aug 2021
Amitriptyline Is an antidepressant and not going to do anything for relaxing any muscles. Your MD should be scolded and possibly dropped. Flexeril works great for below the hips. Clonazepam has helped me a lot more than any other Benzo or muscle relaxers like Baclofen.
Votes: +0
WR
Wryverist
17 Aug 2021
I take Clonazepam or Klonopin as it works well in the head, neck, and facial area. It helps relax the muscles and does better than Flexeril or Baclofen which neither did anything for above the neck. I would stay away from Xanax as it is to over the top. It has an undesirable effect. I have taken the above for close to 20 years. As for Valium I found it not as effective and more sedating.
Votes: +0
AL
AllyLiverbird
9 June 2020
I've also been on valium 5mg and zopiclone 7.5mg for almost 20years due to suffering severe panic attacks, anxiety,depression due to the loss of my newborn son passing away aswell as an ectopic and 8 miscarriages, I moved to a different area showed my new GP my prescription from where I used to live and he stopped everything saying I didn't need these meds, since living up here i was diagnosed with fibromyalgia I'm in constant pain he hadn't even recieved my notes from my old GP so I rang to complain and he lowered me on 2mg valium and 3.75mg zopiclone which no longer touch the pain, I never leave home as I live in a top flat and I have to walk up 4 flights of steps otherwise, I dont know who to turn too next I was under a specialist from the rheumatoid arthritis who diagnosed me with fibromyalgia due to the pain I'm in, is there any other help out there to give me advice who Im better off seeing?
As I dont know how much pain I can take anymore GP surgery I'm with are s**t I'm sure they think I'm putting it on. So any answers or help will be appreciated Ally
Votes: +0
RU
ruth7155
29 Aug 2018
I take Valium and Flexeril for TD but it helps with the fibro too. I've tried other muscle relaxants but Flexeril works the best. I initially took the Valium to help me sleep and for anxiety but it carries over to the fibro too. I've taken both for about 4 years now. Ruth
Votes: +0
SI
Siri1947
28 Aug 2018
Diazepam is the only thing that works. It relaxes the muscles so you don’t fight against the pain and also the uptight muscle does not press against a nerve. I take about two every few days when I find nothing else can relax me. Diazepam is nowhere near as addicting as the other prescriptions the pharmaceuticals and doctors want you on. That’s why they make it so hard to get something that actually works
Votes: +0
TI
TinyDancer1986
29 July 2017
I have been talking Valium 5mg any Some 350mg 3xday for about 4 years for fibromyalgia. It is the best thing that I have ever had in 40 years. I received disability in February of this year and am receiving Medicaid - big mistake! Now it has taken me months to get my insurance doctors to prescribe Valium, and only 2xday. I fear I may NEVER be able to get the Some back. It was the best thing that I have ever had for fibromyalgia. Will keep trying - the two together gave me my life back. P. S. Medicaid is the worst insurance - I received much better care at the free clinic. If you get disability think twice before you apply for state insurance.
Votes: +0
MO
mommywoman
26 June 2014
Tried a ton of muscle relaxers and nothing. About the only one I haven't tried is Soma which I heard really works. But I don't want to sound like a drugseeker and ask for it. I did recently ask for valium cause many yrs ago I took it. It worked ok, so I take just a low dose to help w sleep. This time around it doesn't seem to work. I will probably stop taking it.
Votes: +0
HO
Hondaslr1
31 Jan 2014
Funny I live in uk see a rheumatoid consultant too. Diazepam seems to give some relief but gp doesn't understand myofascial pain syndrome and doesn't like prescribing it. So frustrating lake of knowledge by gps.
Votes: +0
EM
Emeraldgirl
31 Jan 2014
Hello Hondaslr1 and a warm welcome to DC – Regarding Chronic Myofascial Pain (CMP). As you know by now it is very underdiagnosed (so like me, you have done well to get this far, but it might have taken a few years) then on top of that misunderstood and on top of that Dr’s are not aware of it despite there being lots of literate out there about it. Further they are not trained to detect it, thus your GP is not alone in not understanding and mine did not either. This of course does not help us who have this condition. So what to do? Well I will address Diazepam first. Diazepam works very well because it is a good muscle relaxant (MR) and you need to be on one with CMP. The problem is it is a Benzodiazepine and most Dr will not prescribe it as it is considered to be addictive. This is the case in the US also.
This is a shame because it is considered by those who have been prescribed it to be the best prescriptive MR for our condition and it was the reason why I did not require opiate medication; because if you relax the muscles you treat the pain! The irony here is that opiates can also be addictive so if you are on an opiate drug you can put this argument to your GP. Also unlike the US we in the UK have very few MR to choose from. I am not sure if you are under a rheumatologist for CMP as the specialist you should be under is pain management. They are aware of the condition and the many ways in which it can be treated. And it does need to be treated as if left it will get worse and the next stage on from that is Fibromyalgia (FM), thus you end up with CMP & FM and you want to avoid that! I have found that you need to become your own advocate with this condition for the reasons aforementioned. The best place to start is with a book on the subject, as website can be most confusing and inaccurate as some are out of date or combine the symptoms of FM with CMP and they are two separate conditions. I can recommend the latest book published last year by Devin Starlanyl and John Sharkey. It covers CMP and FM well. Also research Devin Starlanyl. Her site is comprehensive but up to date. With the book you will be able to show your GP what is required and it will help you to become your own advocate – All the best and take care.
HO
Hondaslr1
2 Feb 2014
Yo cheers for your tips on books. I was finally diagnosed with CMP 2012 after a long hall of various consultants physios from what they think was triggered by a bad virus in2010 followed by aggressive manipulation to my thoracic area for a shoulder problem Ever since then been in a mix of anti inflamitories codeine paracetamol and very intolerant to gabapentin amitriptiline pregabalin. My body has had enough. I hate taking drugs and continue with exercise within my pain limits. I will see a pain consultant about trigger point injections but my own rheumatoid consultant who specialises in CMP felt this can often be unsuccessfully. Less stress better sleep massage eat well natural omgega 3 and glucosamine vit d all help in some way but sometimes you need a little help from modern med. I just wish in the uk it was acknowledge more because trying to work is tough sometimes and my biggest triggers are sleep deprevation viruses & stress. Not sure why it's now in my chest wall and neck as times gone on but hey ho ! Thank you again for your comments.
HO
Hondaslr1
2 Feb 2014
Yo cheers for your tips on books. I was finally diagnosed with CMP 2012 after a long hall of various consultants physios from what they think was triggered by a bad virus in2010 followed by aggressive manipulation to my thoracic area for a shoulder problem Ever since then been in a mix of anti inflamitories codeine paracetamol and very intolerant to gabapentin amitriptiline pregabalin. My body has had enough. I hate taking drugs and continue with exercise within my pain limits. I will see a pain consultant about trigger point injections but my own rheumatoid consultant who specialises in CMP felt this can often be unsuccessfully. Less stress better sleep massage eat well natural omgega 3 and glucosamine vit d all help in some way but sometimes you need a little help from modern med. I just wish in the uk it was acknowledge more because trying to work is tough sometimes and my biggest triggers are sleep deprevation viruses & stress.
Not sure why it's now in my chest wall and neck as times gone on but hey ho ! Thank you again for your comments. P.s I'm curious anyone out there with fibro or CMP but has a history or endometriosis like me. Or any natural tips top cope with CMP.
EM
Emeraldgirl
3 Feb 2014
Hello Hondaslr1 - Just wondered why you would be on or had been prescribed Gabapintin or Pregabalin for CMP? Regarding trigger point injections how successful they are treated with depends on what they inject them with. To get the NHS to inject them with anything decent is hard, hence your Rheumatologist experience of patients who have opted for this treatment option. So if you go down this road check to see what they will inject with and whether this is the best way to treat them in your case. The best is botox but it is not available on the NHS. I am having mine treated with myofascial pain release then acupuncture. Like I said there are many different ways to treat them. One should not exercise muscles with trigger points (TrPs) in them without the TrPs being treated first. You will make the situation worse as they further restrict your range of motion. Untreated TrPs spread to new locations over your body and or dormant TrPs become active.
Sleep deprivation and stress as you know will not help matters. Have you asked your Rheumatologist to put you on a sleeping aid? I note that you have been on Amitriptyline. This is the sleeping aid they tend to use the most but it is not the only one available. Does your Rheumatologist think that you may have Fibromyalgia or is it just the toll on your body of CMP? Even if you have had TrPs for decades treating them can and does make a big difference. I have had them since 2004 and I have only started having them treated recently and I have found a big improvement. I do have FM and CMP. Top tip I can give you and it will tell you this in all literature and that is to avoid the things that makes it worse or brings it on. This is the most challenging bit.
I take Valium simply to help me sleep. I take Zanaflex (a muscle relaxer) to help with muscles.
Votes: +0
EM
Emeraldgirl
7 Oct 2013
Hello Darnej and welcome to DC Thank you very much for you in put. Unfortunately for me Zanaflex is not licensed in my country which is the UK. I note that you have joined the Fibromyalgia group. Just wondering why you have been prescribed a muscle relaxant. Take care
DA
darnej
7 Oct 2013
I have been diagnosed for a year and a half. After my first back surgery, they had me on Zanaflex. My Fibro doctor kept me on it because it helped me sleep. It is very common to be on a muscle relaxer if you have Fibro here. Thank you for your welcome and friend request. I just wanted to share that Valium calms you down and puts you to sleep. It stops your mind from keeping you awake when you go to sleep. I enjoy it.
EM
Emeraldgirl
7 Oct 2013
Hello again Darnej The reason why I asked is because it is uncommon to be on a muscle relaxant for FM. In fact you are on two as Valium is also a muscle relaxant. Of people diagnosed also have Myofascial pain which goes undiagnosed and the symptoms of which are put down to FM. Take care
Hello CMP FM. Diazepam has been prescribed over the years for CMP and FM. It is one of the first and oldest of the benzodiazepines prescribed for the various diagnosis that relate to nerve and muscle pain. Regards pledge
Votes: +0
EM
Emeraldgirl
19 Aug 2013
Hello Pledge
Thank you for your contribution. I have been taking it since 2004 before I had a diagnosis and it was the only drug that helped. I since have had it reinstated but I still have to go through some Drs stopping it and other prescribing it and other prescribing it with sanctions. I wouldn't mind if they understood my condition but they don’t. Further I am under the care of a rheumatologist who specialises in these conditions and they never consult with him beforehand. I am ranting again so I better stop now!
Take care
IN
Inactive
11 Aug 2013
Possibly a longer acting benzo such as Klonopin? Or a muscle relaxer like Flexeril, skelaxin - there are others I just can't think of them right now. I would think he could prescribe you a muscle relaxer. Hope you get some relief! EJ23
Votes: +2
EM
Emeraldgirl
11 Aug 2013
Hello EJ23
Thank you for responding to my question. I agree that a longer acting benzo would be better,but it needs to be as effective as Valium. I have been on Klonopin which I took at night. It worked very well for a month and I did not need to take any Valium. However I was physically examined which I do not tolerate well. After this it was no longer effective on its own and I needed additional Valium, thus Klonopin was stopped. It would appear that skelaxin is not a licence drug in the UK, but Flexeril is, but it is not widely used .However I am under the care of a Rheumatologist who specializes in Fibromyalgia (FM) and Chronic Myofascial pain (CMP) and I will mention this drug to him. That said he was happy for me to be on Valium and so was the pain clinic (when I use to go) it was my Dr who stopped it! Still I will still mention it to him.
As my Valium has been stopped and since I have some Klonopin left I have been taking it! As the only muscle relaxant I am on is Amitriptyline 25mg at night and this dose nothing for me at all. However from reading other people comments on this forum with FM or CMP (I have both conditions) most seem to be on a dose between 50-75mg of Amitriptyine. I find that the Klonopin takes a long time to kick in and it does not relax my muscles completely, thus I am back to square one very quickly and I am being very sedentary as not to ‘upset’ my FM & CMP. If you can thick of any more benzo’s that are used for the treatment of FM & CMP I would be very grateful.
Thank you for your contribution and take care
IN
Inactive
11 Aug 2013
I agree with you - a benzo does help. I was on 1 mg Klonopin for some 22 years. You know Amitrptaline is not a muscle relaxer? It is a very old anti-depressant which helps a good bit with pain. When I first went on it, 50 mgs was as effective as 15 mg of Oxycodone! But now that I've been on it for several years I don't even notice it. Xanax, and Klonopin - are somewhat effective as muscle relaxers, but are normally prescribed for that. Skelaxin, Baclofen - I wish I could remember more! Soma is one but it isn't prescribed very often here in the Stares as it is easily abused. Well, I hope you find relief, and soon! Take care - EJ23
EM
Emeraldgirl
11 Aug 2013
Hello again EJ23
I know Amitriptyline is not a muscle relaxant but in my case it was why it was prescribed. I have been on 100mg before but I cannot remember if it was successful Fibrofog! I think not or I would still be on that dose. I was (still am) taking 0.18 mg Klonopin may be it needs increasing, well prescribing first. Soma lost its license in the UK. Beclofen was once a common drug in the UK. Again I will put your advice to my rheumatologist. You certainly know your muscle relaxants! And thank you for sharing your knowledge on this matter. Did 1mg Klonopin give you much relief or did you need to take it with additional muscle relaxants?
Take care and I look forward to hearing from the muscle relaxant guru (lol).
IN
Inactive
12 Aug 2013
I was taking Klonopin for a sleep disorder for 22 years and I fell 16 years ago and ended up having 3 spinal surgeries and surgery on my shoulder. Now I've had more surgeries for arthritis; joint erosion; nerve damage; etc. A lot going on! So no, Klonopin really wasn't much help as a muscle relaxer, but i know it is sometimes prescribed as such. I am on Flexeril - 10 mgs 3 times a day. It helps some. I am on 19 medications, so it's hard to say what affects what any more! But I know if I miss a dose of the Flexeril, by evening my legs go into a spatstic-type thing - don't know what to call it. Not a spasm but when I go to stand up my entire legs clench up and get very rigid. So Flexeril definitely helps with that. Take care - EJ23
EM
Emeraldgirl
12 Aug 2013
Hello EJ23
Wow you never know the true story behind the avatar unless you are told! Thank you for taking the time to correspond. I do hope typing does not cause you too much pain. As you have noticed you are the only one that has replied to my question. I can only deduce from his that valium is not widely used for the treatment of FM & CMP. I asked another question before this one and 3 people stated that they took Valium for FM & CMP. Flexeril is licenced in the UK! However it is seldom prescribed. I will however put this to my specialist. 19 medications wow, but if they help to give you some quality of life then it is worth it.
Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge, especially under the circumstances that you have brought to my attention. You take care and look after yourself. Wishing you all the best
IN
Inactive
12 Aug 2013
Thanks so much - you are very kind. Just wanted to add - Flexeril is probably the most-prescribed muscle relaxer here in the US. If not, it's awfully close to it. Benzos (Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, etc.) are not in favor right now. With the War on Drugs, anything that has the potential for addiction has doctors too scared to prescribe! It's amazing what was ok a few years ago has one labeled as an addict. If I were addicted to it, do you think 1 or 2 mgs for 22 years would suffice? I am grateful for a documented sleep disorder - no one looked down at me for using an extra milligram of Klonopin a couple of times a month. As you know with fibro, there's a time here and there that you just have to stay in bed, and a few hours more sleep makes all the difference in world. So, that's probably why few people responded to benzos being prescribed for Fibromyalgia - not acceptable here. Take care - hope you are having a better day today - EJ23
MA
MacIntosh12
12 Aug 2013
O yes, EJ! Good call, Flexeril may just be the right thing, smart lady! (I had no clue that Flexeril is related to a benzo, wow.) Your old friend, Lara
EM
Emeraldgirl
12 Aug 2013
Hello Mac12
Have you taken Flexeril in the past? If so can you remember what dose you where on, was it affective-ish (fibrofog please let her remember! lol). I only ask you this as we both have FM & CMP. In the UK Flexeril is licensed as a tricyclic antidepressant, so I am unsure if my Dr will prescribe it as I am on Amitriptylie. Will find out tomorrow when I see her!
Nice to hear from you again. And yes EJ23 has been most helpful. Take care
MA
MacIntosh12
12 Aug 2013
Hey CMP, (we need to give you a nickname, girl, unless you object?) I'm taking Flexeril 10mgs, it is actually cyclobenzaprine. To my knowledge it's not considered a benzo in the US.
It is effective, yet it won't get rid of the trp bumps, just in case you are expecting that, it doesn't do that. It does, however, help a bit of the pain of cramping and twitching muscles. Do your muscles or nerves twitch? I have taken Soma for that yet it's a highly controlled substance in my area, it's effective enough, but about the same as Flexeril. Ask your doctor, it can't hurt to ask, right? Flex may just help any anxiety you have, if you suffer from that as well. I do hope all goes well for you and you get your Valium!
I've never, not once, abused my pain med, but I have cancelled on my dear doc appointments several times and for that I am in deep doo doo. We shall see what he says tomorrow : ) Your friend, Lara
EM
Emeraldgirl
12 Aug 2013
Hello Mac12
Just a quick message to EJ23 I have responded to your last message before I replied to Mac12 (no offence mac12) but it has not come up yet.
Now back to you Mac12 thank you for the information. I intended to ask my Dr to prescribed Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine) 10mgs rather than the Valium or as well as the valium. Is Flexeril as effective as Valium? What are trp bumps? Do you mean passing wind (or gas as you say in the US!) Is this a side effect of the drug? Well if it is I just have to put up with it or let it all out! Yes I do get muscles or nerves twitch, especially in the buttocks, legs, soles of feet basically everywhere. This usually is the start of motor dysfunction for me. Soma lost its license in the UK in 2008, so it is good to know that Flexeril works just as well. EJ23 takes 10mgs 3 x daily so this is the dosage that I am aiming for.
The last part of your message made me laugh so much I now have lower back pain! You are not allowed to be funny (only joking). My Dr was trying to do the opposite to you. They would give me an appointment time and when I checked it would be earlier then what I was originally told. So now I always check on the day that the time I have been given is correct. They now know that I am on to them now so they have stopped doing it.
I will let you know how I get on.
Your friend CMP (LOL)
IN
Inactive
13 Aug 2013
Hi Lara - good to see you! Just wanted to correct: Flexeril is not related to the benzodiazepine family. It is a muscle relaxer, and I do recall (thanks to CMP - did I recall your user name correctly?) that when I was first put on Flexeril some 16 years ago my doctor said she liked it because it was very close to an antidepressant. How about that? Guess that's why it's helped a lot for me. Warning though: It will make you very sleepy! My husband just took 1/2 of 1 mg and is snoozing away! Take care - EJ23
EM
Emeraldgirl
13 Aug 2013
Hello EJ23 and Mac12
I have just come back from the Dr’s and I am now the proud owner of 82 2mg Valium tablets! Quality of life here I come (to a degree at least). Flexeril is not available in the UK :0( . It sounds as if it would have really helped the twitching muscles that I get rather a lot. Mac12 oh dear, I got the ‘wrong end of the stick’ I now know what you meant by ‘trp bumps’ it has got nothing to do with gas as it! (lol). How did you get on at the Dr’s? One of our fellow members BruthD. Directed me to ‘CureTogether.com’. It is a really good concept and you will feel compelled to take part. Warning set aside a few hours if you do decide to participate. Basically it rates the performance of treatment across many health conditions. The data comes from patients who have been or still receiving on those treatments. FM & MPS are just two of many categories.
Take care CMP
SH
sheelights
16 Aug 2013
lara... what happened at the docs ??? concerned... sheelights
EM
Emeraldgirl
16 Aug 2013
Me too Mac12. left you a message.
MA
MacIntosh12
7 Oct 2013
Sheelights and EmeraldGirl, sorry it's been so long since I've written on this post! I've been persona non grata for a month now, at the least!
So glad you got the Valium, EG! Hope it's helping muscle spasms and twitching! That's why I'm on here at 4:50am, muscle spasms in legs and feet awoke me, grrrrrrrrr! EG, I laughed so hard about you thinking that trp's were "gas"!!!
Sheelights, my doc was as sweet as could be and didn't do a thing about my cancelled appointments, except for give me a scolding, thank God!! He is THE best doc ever and if I lost him, well I'd be lost!
