Anyone get back spasms?

[jackswife]

I have just gone through my third round of back spasms in 9 months. Down to 2 mg prednisone at the time. Nothing really works to stop them. (Well, marijuana did the first time but that's a long story.) Been to chiropractor, urgent care (walk in, like an ER) and primary care physician. No real answers, so I'm thinking that my already inflamed muscles just get set off by something. Each time I had been driving/traveling (although nothing extraordinary) and carrying a quite light suitcase. Have any of you had this problem? Thanks in advance for your replies. You are an awesome group.

[Hidden]

Hi, I think you have answered your own question really. Driving and/or carrying bags always causes spasms in my back (though I have a long term condition). Perhaps you need to shore yourself up better in the car. I have a pillow against my leg and the door to hold me steady. I put the seat upright almost and lower it so my feet can be flat to the floor, with my knees slightly higher than my hips. I stop every 30mins or at services and just have a stretch and walk around.

I take tramadol and co-codamol anyway but have to add a nsaid and do my usual back stretches. It not usually good to take pred and nsaids for any length of time. I don't think drugs like amitryptiline will do you any good if it's just when you drive, they are better taken daily.

[jackswife in reply to Hidden]

It doesn't happen when I am actually driving. It woke me in the middle of the night and was unrelenting for a week. (Unfortunately I did have to drive 4 hours home while the spasms continued.) I have a regiment of stretches and strengthening exercises I do in order to strengthen my muscles as I deal with PMR plus I walk 30 minutes a day. I did take Advil but that doesn't seem to help with spasms (or with PMR). Nothing really does. Thank you for your ideas on what you do in the car. I do adjust as needed but I think it was the length of time in the car more than anything that set it off. It was just an overnight, so my bag was really light. I guess it doesn't take much. I am just wondering if this is common for others with PMR. Thank you!

[Hidden in reply to jackswife]

I usually get to bed at my sister's (3hrs) and I text her downstairs and she has to come up and turn me over. It's not while I am driving but I now have to have auto car with cruise control which has helped enormously on long journeys. But I never drive for more than 45mins unless I have to. I will come off motorways and park for a walk.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jackswife]

The exercises won't work as long as the muscles are actively spasming. Before you can strengthen them they must be healed. There are various ways of doing that.

[jackswife in reply to PMRpro]

Oh, I don't do the exercises while I'm having spasms! Ouch! I couldn't possibly. But I have been doing them regularly for months now, in an effort to stay strong. I had hoped they would help prevent such episodes. Yesterday was the first day in 10 days that I had my walk.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jackswife]

I don't mean during a spasm, badly explained. I mean while the muscles are still too delicate and prone to spasm

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I do, have done for many years and PMR just added to it. Mine is myofascial pain syndrome and I'm lucky, I have a lovely pain clinic specialist who is working on it - in the absence of the physio I hoped for! I used to use Bowen therapy and more recently therapeutic massage from a physio to keep it livable with.

[jackswife in reply to PMRpro]

That sounds awful. Actually I consider myself pretty lucky given how many folks on this forum suffer with multiple difficult health issues. I'm so glad you have a 'lovely pain clinic specialist". Finding the positives. I'm scheduling a massage! Thank you.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jackswife]

The lady is very handy with a hypodermic syringe when doing needling!!!! It can be excruciating at the time - but the long term result is worth it

[SheffieldJane]

I haven’t, but my OH has. The only thing that helps, for him, is diazepam. He has been in agony, stuck on the floor of a room next to the one where he is due to give a talk and was rescued by Valium.

[jackswife in reply to SheffieldJane]

The 'urgent care' facility I went to offered me muscle relaxers but that hasn't worked in the past, so I refused them. But no one offered diazepam, so thank you for that information. If it happens again, I will ask for it. They did suggest a lidocaine patch, which did offer a little comfort.

[Hidden in reply to jackswife]

But did they mention what muscle relaxant it was? It may well have been diazepam.....

[Hellyowl]

Mine don't found as sever as some of you. But I have always had back spasms when stressed and tense. I have taught myself to breath through them. Keeping core muscles strong I imagine is helpful.