Can we take Skelaxin or Flexiril?

Does anyone know if it's safe to take Skelaxin or Flexiril?

My doctor is wanting me to take Skelaxin 800 mg 3x a day after I told him that Flexiril has never really worked for me. I have a neck injury that is bothering me quite a bit, so I'm curious if it's okay. The pharmacy says it's not an NSAID... but my stomach (lower like the intestines) has been uncomfortable for a few days. I don't know if I haven't gotten a stomach bug of some sort though.

Just curious if anyone knows..

I've taken flexeril for years.  Never any problem.  Skelaxin probably isn't a problem either but I would check with your surgeon first.

Neither is a NSAID.  On the other hand, the evidence that so-called "muscle relaxants" have any beneficial effect at all on musculoskeletal pain is pretty meagre.  They tend to make people drowsy; that's all.  That, and the fact that these require a prescription, are the source of their popularity.

Upset stomach, stomach pain, nausea or vomiting aren't common, but they're all listed as possible side effects of Skelaxin.

If you want to use a drug supported by clinical evidence, take Tylenol; it ain't much, and it don't get no respect from folks like us, but there's high-quality evidence that it works, unlike any of these drugs

/Steve

Whoo, yeah we can.  I'd be chair bound without either of them.

Good health,
Cindy

I take Skelaxin for herniated discs in my neck.  I was taking them throughout the day but now I just take it at night.  It does help.  But as Steve said, it does make you sleepy! 

I took Skelaxin for my shoulder.  It helped a little, and never made me sleepy.  It is a muscle relaxant similar in action to flexaril.  In other words, its not on the we can't take list.  Course your surgeon's list may differ. 

I love my Skelaxin. It does not make me drowsy like the order my PCP gave me for vicadin to care for my pain! MY rheumy dr prescribed it and I bow to her feet.

Did  anyone have really severe stomach pain after taking this drug?

I guess it might be something else like stomach flu, but after taking this drug I get stomach pain. It hurts!

Thanks.....

Ok I can't take this pain anymore.. I'm going to the hospital. It can't be from the pill.

I have to put my two cents in on Flexiril.

I had ankle reconstruction surgery earlier this year, prior to the WLS.  I spent six weeks in a leg cast up to my knee, and on Flexiril.  Because I did not have adequate upper body strength to use crutches or a walker for more than about 20 steps, I spent the duration in a wheelchair.

One of the side-effects of Flexiril is that it is a depressant.  The entire time I was on it, I was much *****ier than I am normally and I didn't like it one little bit.  And neither did anyone who had much contact with me...

On the plus side, it was effective as a muscle relaxer.  I did have a brief break, after I ran out of the initial 'scrip and ended up in an emergency room.  After ultrasound to ensure I didn't have a clot, they gave me a shot of morphine, told me to get the Flexiril 'scrip refilled and sent me home.