back and neck pain

for a few weeks on and off I have had some bad back pain always starts when Im sleeping.  Its at the point now that I can only sleep for about 4 hrs till the pain gets me up.  Yesterday it was bad but today I can hardly move my neck and back is killing me.
Question what can I take and/or what works best?  I have some old muscle relaxers from when I hurt my back a few years ago but no idea if they are ok or not.  Tylenol is just not cutting it at this point.
Help!

First, you don't take year's old meds. At the very least, they won't work - and at the worst, they could kill you.

Second, this could be an issue with things readjusting themselves. As the weight goes down and body mass changes, your internal support system shifts around to adjust to the new distribution. I would forego the meds and see a chiropractor. (At least see your GP first and see what he/she recommends.)

Robax makes a whole line of products.  Some have tylenol, some aspirin and some advil.  Just make sure you get the one with the acetaminophen in it and give that a shot.  It has some muscle relaxant in it as well so it should help.

i would suggest treating yourself to a massage, and see a chiropractor. DO NOT take old meds, especially nto a couple of years old.

Learning to do some yoga or stretching exercises may also help. Your body is readjusting itself. Don't rely on drugs to releive pain, look for natural methods. Stretching, yoga, massage and chiropractic wiill work. Give it a chance.

Yeah last week I was calling around for massage and the only time they could fit me in is next friday, im in a rural community not a big city so not much choice up here.  Got to make it till then though.
I will try the robax thanks Tracey

 I have the same problem for years now. It sounds weird but the only thing that relaxes my back muscles is to change the way you sleep.

For me, I noticed that I seemed to arch my head back a bit to compensate for my double chin and open up my air way, since I had sleep apnea for years without knowing it. Anyway, this position would always tense up my neck and back muscles, so I would wake up around 3am from the pain and need to stretch them out by pressing my chin to my chest and man does it burn, but it would release most of the tightness. The only way to keep the muscles relaxed for me is to sleep with myself proped up with pillows. I know it isn't the best arrangement, and can be a bit frustrating at first till you find the perfect positioning, but it did the trick each time. Make sure to scoot your butt down a bit, like you would if you have your knees propped up. It helps to stretch out the spine.

Also look into getting one of those special neck pillows that hold your head in the right position. I also have a tempurpedic mattress, but still have muscle cramps if I sleep more than 6 hours. Think it is mostly due to my apnea. I do love my bed though.

I also have a chiropractor, which helps. They will teach you some stretching techniques to help ease the muscle pain.

Good luck, and you could have your doctor prescribe you some T2's for the pain, if your allowed to have it. Don't use the old stuff.