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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cassman on October 31, 2003, at 15:32:41
Hi-
Anyone out there have neck spasms with anti-anxiety drugs?Xanax , specifically!
My friend has been warned this may happen. However, he is not on xanax, Could Xanax do this as well???
Cassman
Posted by KellyD on October 31, 2003, at 23:49:38
In reply to Xanax / Anti-Anxiety Drugs Neck Spasms, posted by Cassman on October 31, 2003, at 15:32:41
I have been on Klonopin for over a year. I do have problems with a general neck and upper back "ache". It comes and goes. Right now it's really giving me a fit! Klonopin has worked really well for me and I do have some phyical changes in that area that could explain it, however, I am wondering more and more if some of it isn't related to my Klonopin use.
I would be interested if this is a finding in others also. I don't think benzo's are as good a muscle relaxant as one would think they would be. I have tried various OTC and RX meds for this discomfort. Nothing really helps much. Even actually muscle relaxants don't do much for it, but my dr. would rather me use such a low dose due to not wanting to have too much CNS depression.
I love the relief I get with Klonopin and would really hate to think that's the cause, but there are times the discomfort is more worrisome than the anxiety symptoms I have....So, what to do?
Posted by Cassman on November 1, 2003, at 20:16:53
In reply to Re: Xanax / Anti-Anxiety Drugs Neck Spasms, posted by KellyD on October 31, 2003, at 23:49:38
Hi-
I have helped many clients with neck spasms that often radiate pain to the head= tension headache.
What makes this sad is that these headaches produce much anxiety and a vicous cycle is at hand. two of them believed they had brain tumors
these were ruled out by tests.It appears that my work as a medical massage therapist afforded them relief, true relief.
This after they tried all else, they say.
After scratching my head for days , I foud they are all on Xanax or other benzos.These are neck spasms like I have not seen before.
Please tell me if anyone has heard of this and where, I would like to help myself, my pal and many others.Cassman
Posted by KellyD on November 1, 2003, at 20:38:17
In reply to Re: Xanax/Anti-Anxiety Drugs/Neck Spasms/Headaches » KellyD, posted by Cassman on November 1, 2003, at 20:16:53
Posted by Cassman on November 1, 2003, at 23:15:29
In reply to Re: Xanax/Anti-Anxiety Drugs/Neck Spasms/Headaches » KellyD, posted by Cassman on November 1, 2003, at 20:16:53
Hi-
I'm sorry if I was not clear.
I am considering taking an anti-anxiety drug.A friend of mine was told by a physician that his drug may cause neck spasms.
I am a medical massage therapist and I have found some clients with unsurpassed neck spasms that refer pain to the head or tension headaches.
They all have one thing in common, Benzos, Xanax specifically. I'm sorry I'm not good at this I'm new and can't type well. I'm better at medical massage.
thanks
Cassman
Posted by KellyD on November 1, 2003, at 23:41:07
In reply to Re: Xanax/Anti-Anxiety Drugs/Neck Spasms/Headaches » Cassman, posted by Cassman on November 1, 2003, at 23:15:29
Cassman,
Thanks for the clarification. I got a bit concerned (and a little angry) because I have run into postings that "baited" for info to "advertise" something. I now do not beleive that was your intention.
Klonopin has worked well for me for my anxiety and I have remained at a low dose. I don't want to stop this med. I do have the neck and back issues. Mine is an ache. But, it does come and go - sometimes for long periods, it's a nonissue. I don't know what to make of it at times. I did have it prior to beginning the med. It does, at times, seen to be worse than I remember it before Klonopin.
That area (neck and upper back) is always where my tension has "lived" and seems to be a weak area for me. I have had Therapeudic(?spelling) Massages, several series, with limited results - I'm sure they're really effective for some.
Thanks for clearing things up and massage on.
Kelly
Posted by Ed on November 3, 2003, at 19:15:14
In reply to Thanks » Cassman, posted by KellyD on November 1, 2003, at 23:41:07
I had neck spasm for over ten years, and I always thought I was taking valium to relieve the neck spasm. When I finally quit the valium, and did some bodywork (Bonnie Pruden Pain Center it was called-- they did deep massage and pressure points), I stopped getting the stiff neck and spasm. Then, afte rnot taking benzos for several years and forgetting I even used to get stiff necks every day, I started taking small doses of klonopin prn. The stiff neck came back within days. I stopped immediately, and haven;t had a stiff neck since.
To summarize, benzos give some of us very anxiety-producing spasm and stiffness in the neck-- us folks are better off without the benzos. Incidentally, I switched to Nardil and it works far better that valium ever dreamed of working, and no neck spasms.
Posted by Ed on November 4, 2003, at 9:35:37
In reply to Neck spasm is probably benzo use, posted by Ed on November 3, 2003, at 19:15:14
By the way, what I mean is that the valium, when I took it, was relaxing and relieved the neck spasm. It is just that a few hours later, the neck spasm (stiffness and associated anxiety) would return, and I'd need to take a valium to get rid of it again.
In hindsight, the valiums were habit-forming and involved physical withdrawal symptoms. I never took more than 5-10 mgs. a day, either.
***********************************
> I had neck spasm for over ten years, and I always thought I was taking valium to relieve the neck spasm. When I finally quit the valium, and did some bodywork (Bonnie Pruden Pain Center it was called-- they did deep massage and pressure points), I stopped getting the stiff neck and spasm. Then, afte rnot taking benzos for several years and forgetting I even used to get stiff necks every day, I started taking small doses of klonopin prn. The stiff neck came back within days. I stopped immediately, and haven;t had a stiff neck since.
>
> To summarize, benzos give some of us very anxiety-producing spasm and stiffness in the neck-- us folks are better off without the benzos. Incidentally, I switched to Nardil and it works far better that valium ever dreamed of working, and no neck spasms.
This is the end of the thread.
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