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Flexaril

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Fibromyalgia
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it's a new day
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2010
Posts : 105
Posted 7/19/2010 4:55 PM (GMT -7)

Is Flexaril addictive?

Does it become less effective the more you use it?

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sotiredoffibro
Veteran Member
Joined : May 2010
Posts : 1556
Posted 7/19/2010 5:23 PM (GMT -7)
I have taken flexeril before and I didnt have any withdrawls from it. Problem is we are all so different as far as meds effecting us. I also think like with most drugs your body will probably adjust to it and it wont be as effective. Hope this helps
Gentle hugs
Shirley
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crazykitty
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2009
Posts : 4796
Posted 7/19/2010 6:51 PM (GMT -7)
I have used Flexeril (cyclobenzaorine) on and off for 10 years. I initially started using
it with vicodin for back pain. I no longer use vicodin and my rheumy prescribes the
flexeril to help with fibro. I am reluctant to use it on a daily basis because I don't want
to find that it might lose it's effectiveness. Right now it is the one thing that really helps
my flares. I have never had an additiction with it and don't really know if has capability
of being. physically addicting. Some drugs are phycologically addicting.

My prescription is 10mg and I can take it up to 2x daily and even though I hurt daily
I only use it for flares. I hate taking meds, always worried about side effects, but some
meds I have to take daily.

Hugs, Robin
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Atmosphere
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2010
Posts : 220
Posted 7/19/2010 7:42 PM (GMT -7)
Yea I am exactly the same as crazy kitty...I have used Soma (Pretty much the same as flex) (coffee/tea, Pork/Beef...you get the idea)

Soma and/or Lortab for my daily aches and pain, muscle spasms but rarely use on a daily basis. Only for SEVERE pain. fwiw It even says for "severe pain" on my Lortab...basically i take it when I have a flare as crazy says.

Even though every day it's something with my body, my back, knees, shoulders, arms etc...
I don't like taking meds either. (Minus the ones I have to daily)
and I don't rely on the Lortab and/or the Soma to get me by.. Never had or have an addiction. Sometimes I feel guilty that I that I need to have the drugs RXd to me in the first place, but when I have my days its better than not having them :/
Everybody is different though..

YES. imo, I'd say there would be/could be psychological addiction with the FLEX. I wouldn't take a muscle relaxant like Flex unless you absolutely need to. Side Effects can make things worse for you as well..

Post Edited (archiestyles) : 7/20/2010 2:18:03 PM (GMT-6)

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caligirl2001
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2010
Posts : 197
Posted 7/19/2010 11:43 PM (GMT -7)
My husband just spent the weekend mountain biking with a group of friends, one of whom is a doctor. They were hanging out asking him medical questions, and my husband asked him about fibromyalgia and medications. He told my husband that he prescribes flexeril frequently for fibro with no qualms, and knows of no reports of addiction to flexeril. Keep in mind also that dependence is different from addiction.
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getting by
Forum Moderator
Joined : Sep 2007
Posts : 45191
Posted 7/20/2010 12:08 PM (GMT -7)
I take soma as a muscle relaxer, I find it far less sedating than flexeril. That made me sleepy. But good to take at night.

I don't know if it is addicting. But I would think that going without it would make you feel tense as your muscles would be less relaxed.

Hugs, Karen
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MinnyMouse
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2010
Posts : 202
Posted 7/21/2010 2:24 PM (GMT -7)
I take the Flexeril in combination with the Savella and Lyrica, usually at night but more as a muscle relaxer and yes when I have a flare, which seems to be frequently these days. My doctor said that it its not addictive and I should be able to take it as needed. Caligirl made the statment that is so true. There is a difference between addiction and dependancy. I believe that when you have this illness, you do become dependent on meds and you know what's going to help you and what's not. For me the Flexeril is that med. I take it when necessary because I know it works for me.
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Hello~Kitty
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2005
Posts : 610
Posted 7/21/2010 3:28 PM (GMT -7)
Flexeril is not a controlled substance, which means it has no reports of addiction. But then again this is what they reported during the trials many years ago. If anyone does get an addiction or become dependent on flereril, then it needs to be reported to the FDA so they can put out warnings with the medication. But personally I have never heard of people doctor shopping for flexeril.

In some states, Soma is a controlled substance, I guess people have gotten addicted to it. I did some research online about it a while ago when my muscles where hurting and wanted to know what the choices are, and there where alot of stories about people taking Soma with vicodin to get an intense high, and thats why more and more states are reviewing this drug, to make it a controlled substance, and I've even heard that alot of doctors are refusing to prescribe it anymore.

But also remember, that "addiction" is one has a severe craving for a drug, take more the prescribed, spend all their time trying to get more by doctor shopping or buying it off the streets, basically their lives revovle around the drug....

Being "dependent" is when you need a medication to have a better quality of life, and is taken as prescribed. And this doesnt just include pain medications, this also includes medications for diabetics, blood pressure, antidepressents, and so on. In other words, our bodies are dependent on these to makes us live a somewhat normal life, and we shouldn't feel guilty for taking these medications.

So if your doctor is prescribing this medication for you, then you should not feel guilty to take it, and remember that side effects always wear off after a few weeks, and if it's too strong, then call your doctor and ask if it's okay to cut the medication in half, and if you can't cause it's a long releasing drug, then ask for a smaller dose. but I've cut Flexerils in half before, but I hear their's a long acting flexeril on the shelfs now, and those can't be cut.

-kitty
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EML
Regular Member
Joined : Jul 2010
Posts : 202
Posted 7/23/2010 11:05 AM (GMT -7)
I have a very low tolerance to meds.
I'm on 10 mg of flexeril for when I'm in lots of pain and have trouble sleeping.
But then I usually only take half.

I don't take it often as it makes me very groggy/drowsy the next day.
I've not had any problems being addicted to it.
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