Next steps for muscle spasm pain

December 7, 2015 2:57 AM

I was in the ER last night for extreme shoulder pain (trapezius muscle spasms) that I've had for the past 48 hours. I am taking 600mg ibuprofen every six hours and was given 10mg of Flexeril (muscle relaxer) last night around 10:30, plus a prescription for more to fill today. I'm using ice and heat to little effect. The Flexeril did not do anything at all... didn't ease any pain or help me sleep. Which doctor should I see next? Some more details...

My options seem to be:
1) Get the Flexeril prescription filled at 8 when the drug store opens. Try to get to the primary care as early as they will see me, but don't take the Flexeril yet since I would have to drive myself and they could recommend something different. Complication: It's highly possible they can't take me this morning.
2) Go back to the ER for something else. I could have my husband take me before he goes to work, but he really has to go to work on time so I would need to do this right away.
3) Get the Flexeril prescription filled at 8 and go home and take it in the hopes it helps this time.

I've never taken a muscle relaxer before. Is it weird that this had no effect? Is it possible that my next dose would work?

The pain is so bad right now that I can barely dress myself, so I'm scared and don't know what I should do next.

posted by dayintoday to Health & Fitness (9 answers total)

Not weird at all. I get that exact pain still after an accident I had many years ago and no Rx drugs can touch it. It's horrible. The only thing that's helped in the past is a cortisone short directly into the area. I'd go straight back to the E.R. and ask for the shot. You've been spasming a long time and Flexeril (and all of the other pain meds I've tried for this specific area) sucks donkey balls. Keep up with the ice and heat rotation as much as you can, cuz sometimes that can provide some relief too. A hot bath follow by ice can sometimes help.

Later when you get the spasming under control, I've had success with acupressure and sometimes massage for keeping it under control. You also might want to get a theracane massager to give yourself acupressure treatments at home. Hope you feel better soon!
posted by LuckySeven~ at 3:20 AM on December 7, 2015 [1 favorite]

Seeing a physiotherapist for dry needling (physiotherapist acupuncture) can help stop the spasming.
posted by Year of meteors at 3:38 AM on December 7, 2015 [2 favorites]

I had pretty much the same thing in August and the doc loaded me up with anti-inflammatories and a muscle relaxant; it took the best part of a week to get to the point where I could be upright for longer than a few minutes.
posted by biffa at 4:18 AM on December 7, 2015

Sorry, but you need to go back to the ER. This kind of pain is an emergency. They can give you something to get on top of the pain, then you can follow that up with NSAIDs and muscle relaxants. Better to get on top of the pain than to chase it.
posted by kamikazegopher at 4:27 AM on December 7, 2015 [1 favorite]

I had a similar pain/spasm problem that sent me to the ED. They gave me an intramuscular shot of Valium, which broke the spasming cycle and gave the Flexeril a chance to work.
posted by shiny blue object at 5:17 AM on December 7, 2015

I solved my recurring and excruciating back spasms with an excellent masseuse. He specializes in muscle tightening and release techniques and has a very, very good grasp of anatomy. Helpful additional things I do are regularly using a heating pad on my back when I'm in my easy chair and regular floating. Yoga is a great prophylactic along with regular massage to make sure this doesn't recur.

Acupuncture is effective too but for emergencies I'd start with massage.

I will add that I am so sorry you are experiencing this. Pain at this level made me think seriously about suicide. But if it is muscle driven, regular massage will give you lasting relief.
posted by bearwife at 9:02 AM on December 7, 2015

So sorry you're having this- shoulder pain can be immense. I would agree with others that you should go back to your GP or the ER and get something more effective to address pain/spasming. If it's affecting your sleep, some kind of painkiller would certainly seem to be warranted. After this subsides, I would advise making a strong effort to find out the cause.

Worth noting: my recent similar experience has left me with a profound respect for the discipline of physical therapy, and I would strongly recommend an experienced and well-regarded physical therapist. Of the many doctors and specialists I've seen for hip/back/shoulder issues, my physical therapist was by far the best and most effective . I was misdiagnosed repeatedly and suffered for 18+ months. In 20 minutes, she had located my true problem and fixed it in a few short weeks. I hope you get relief from this soon.
posted by MacChimpman at 5:51 PM on December 7, 2015

Is a 24-hour pharmacy not an option/not available to you?
posted by pecanpies at 7:31 PM on December 7, 2015

Maybe try in addition balm with methyl salicylate and capsicum.
posted by persona au gratin at 1:38 AM on December 8, 2015