One question that intrigues arthritis patients is, “Is it really recommended for arthritis patient to use muscle relaxant?”
In United States, muscle relaxants are the most commonly used medicine for patients experiencing common pain in their lower back. They are known to diminish muscle contraction. Patients that experience arthritis and other musculoskeletal disorder use various muscle relaxants. They have different side effects too. Methocarbamol are the most popular among arthritis patient due to its mild properties. In some cases, patients seek for stronger muscle relaxants and ended up drinking Soma. Soma is stronger compare to Methocarbamol drugs and may cause severe dizziness. It is best to drink Soma before bed time due to the sedation effects it brings.
This drug has been widely use to treat neck pain, muscle stiffness, muscle spasm and fibromyalgia. Doctors use muscle relaxants to relieve their patients from severe pain and help them lead a normal and healthier lifestyle. Patients tend to sleep properly when relieved from pain.
Two Types of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants
1. Anti- spatic agents
This type of muscle relaxants are seldomly use for musculoskeletal complaints. On the contrary, some doctors claim favorable outcome of this drug for patients suffering from fibromyalgia. These drugs are specifically use for people suffering from cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and spastic torticollis
Examples: Dantrium, Lioresaland, Kemstro
2. Antispasmodic agents
These drugs are widely use for muscle problems. Most common examples under this category are Soma, Skelaxin, Robaxin and Flexeril.
With regards to their efficiency, muscle relaxants are generally the same. Doctors used to prescribe drugs that are base on their experience and observation. These drugs have good effects to our nervous system. Nevertheless, the dosage and time span of using this drug must be always regulated. Anti-depressant drugs have similarities with muscle relaxers. When a patient increase his dosage more than what is prescribed by his physician, overdose may happen. Overdose is an alarming situation. When overdose, the sedative properties of this drug cause vital organs of the body to malfunction.
Worst Scenario Of Muscle Relaxant Overdose
Because it has sedative effects, patient may feel sleepy after drinking this medicine. Overdose may hinder proper functiong of body muscles. Malfunction in our bladder and urinary tract system arise.
Most of the muscle relaxants available have side effects. They may cause a patient to feel drowsy, dizzy and sleepy. Some of them are found to be habit forming and addicting. Dont drink this medicine beyond the prescribed dosage level. Moreover, doctors don’t consider these drugs as their first line therapy. Most of the physicians prescribed Tylenol or other anti-inflammatory drugs to their patients. In some cases of severe back pain, doctors advice patients to take muscle relaxants. In additionto this, physicians avoid giving these medicines to old patients that have weaker body condition. This has something to do with the sedation effects of these drugs.
Muscle relaxants, in general, are recommended by physicians to help patient sleep normally by eliminating the pain associated with muscle diseases. On the other hand, these medicines are not prescribed to be used on a long period of time as it may cause addiction and overdose.
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