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Taking Flexeril, Vicodin For Loss Of Balance. History Of Back Injury. Should Both Medicines Be Taken?
Is it true that loss of balance is a side effect of muscle relaxants? I take Flexeril with Vicodin 10/325 4X per day and Kadian 60mg 2X per day. I do not have a balance issue. I have been on this dosage for 2 years and have been medicated with various meds and doses since 3 baack injuries in 2006. I am 66 years old. But my sister took Soma for years with a bad back, and she now has a balance issue. She took Soma 3 X per day and Vicodin 10/325 4 X per day. She is now 80. Her Dr. advised her that the Soma has wrecked her balance and that all muscle relaxants do this. My pain Nurse says No, and my physician says No. Who is right. I don't want balance issues, but the Vicodan doesn't work without the Flexeril for my break-through back pain.
Thu, 25 Jul 2013
Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.
All muscle relaxants do not produce the side effect - Loss of balance. Generally this side effect is encountered with CENTRALLY ACTING muscle relaxants.
SOMA (Carisoprodol) will produce side effects like Drowsiness, Dizziness, Vertigo (a sense of losing balance) , ataxia etc.
Carisoprodol tablets should only be used for short periods (up to two or three weeks) because adequate evidence of effectiveness for more prolonged use has not been established and because acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions are generally of short duration.
Whereas FLEXERIL ( Cyclobenzaprine ) will produce Headache, dizziness, drowsiness but NOT loss of balance.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
All muscle relaxants do not produce the side effect - Loss of balance. Generally this side effect is encountered with CENTRALLY ACTING muscle relaxants.
SOMA (Carisoprodol) will produce side effects like Drowsiness, Dizziness, Vertigo (a sense of losing balance) , ataxia etc.
Carisoprodol tablets should only be used for short periods (up to two or three weeks) because adequate evidence of effectiveness for more prolonged use has not been established and because acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions are generally of short duration.
Whereas FLEXERIL ( Cyclobenzaprine ) will produce Headache, dizziness, drowsiness but NOT loss of balance.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
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