muscle relaxants for PFD/bladder symptoms?

[dminton]

Has anyone found any med to relax the pelvic floor and therefore improve bladder symptoms, that is not in the valium family, and is tolerable? I'm one of those people who has lots of problems with meds, side effects, and meds worsening my bladder. If I use a warm pad against my perineal area I can get some relief, but not for long. My PT hasn't come up with anything that truly helps, but I will say that she has increased my awareness of how PFD plays a role in my bladder and sometimes rectal pain.

Thanks, Diana.

[Briza]

I'm using generic Flexeril 10 mg but it makes me too sleepy to take during the day when I really need it. I'm going to request 5 mg tabs next time...the ones I have aren't scored so can't be broken to smaller doses. They are pale yellow tabs, at least my generic version is, but there are probably other generic versions of it that may come as a white tab, if you're senstive to dyes. When I do take it at night, it works really well. Best wishes.

[sami4]

Meds

The vulvar specialist I see uses either Valium or Elavil, prefers Elavil as she feels this is the most help with nerve pain as well as a muscle relaxant.
Sammi

[ads]

Have you tried looking at meds from a compound pharmacy? They make ones that contain valium, which can be applied to the pelvic floor. I know you wanted to get away from valium, so if you call a good compound pharmacy they might be able to make a suggestion to your doctor. A member of this board may also have a creme suggestion. This cremes allow you to have less side effects and do work for some people.

ads

P.S. I have severe PFD and have tried what seems like 100 things. Have you tired pundendal nerve blocks along with the PT? That helped me make a lot of progress. It may break you pain cycle.

[dminton]

Thanks, Briza and Sami, I have not tried Flexeril yet. One of those types made me crazy, can't remember which one it was. Elavil and all tricyclics are out as a class due to my lack of tolerance to them, and I get rebound anxiety with benzos. Frustrating!

Diana

[dminton]

Great idea, ads. I do have a script somewhere that my doc wrote for Valium suppositories (rectal) that I'd completely forgotten about. Maybe I need to rethink this. I am trying to stay away from benzos but may try this anyway.

Diana.

[rosesitty]

Diana - Flexeril doesn't work for me, just makes me groggy. Elavil...hmm...I haven't tried that. Anyone think it works better than Neurontin?

[cia]

Soma

I found Soma to be very helpful while I was in therapy. I am also very sensitive to medications, and get every side effect in the book. Soma makes me high as a kite for about 20 minutes after I take it so I have to make sure my timing is perfect. After the initial dizzy,groggy feelings things quickly go back to normal in my head, and relaxed in my bladder. I would only try it on a day that you didn't really have to do too much since you dont know how you will react. It can actually get you more messed up than regular narcotic painkillers, but your head clears much faster. Whenever I have taken the Elavils and Flexerils I have done nothing but sleep. The Soma side effects wear off much faster.

[alianne]

I take tizanadine (that's the not-brand name and I think the brand name is osmething like Zanaflex?) anyways, it makes me fall to sleep so I usually take it at night - but when I stop taking it at night my daytime pain is worse too. I also find that with the vulvar pain if I sit on a bix exercise ball it helps me.

[PlainJane]

I tried tizanidine tonight and it made me groggy so I went to bed but I can't sleep now 'cause my bladder keeps telling me to get up and pee. So now I'm feeling drugged with an irritated bladder. I tried Flexeril but it irritates my bladder too.

~plainjane

[rosesitty]

Hey Jane - I use Valium during the day (doesn't make me sleepy) and take a Soma + at night. Flexeril only makes me groggy and nothing else. The Soma actually works, but is sedating as well.
Stephanie

[PlainJane]

Stephanie,

Thanks for the feedback.

-PlainJane.

[tacy99]

I can't take any tricyclics either. Tried valium, flexeril. Have had good improvement with Baclofen 10 mg. 3X day.