Patient/caregiver was instructed upon therapeutic uses of Flexeril as follows:
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Motor nerves originate in the brain and travelling through the spinal cord, reach the various muscles throughout the body, thus conducting the impulse to the muscles.
- ALS is a condition in which there is progressive degeneration of the motor nerves controlling the activity of the various muscles.
- Progressive degeneration of the motor nerves contributes to altered and compromised impulse conduction.
- Depending on the site of injury and the nerves involves, this change in nerve impulse conduction can result in spasticity or severe tightening of muscles, flaccid weak muscles, and muscle spasms contributing to the pain & discomfort. This can severely compromise the muscle function.
- Flexeril, probably by controlling and relieving the spasms and tightness, relaxes the muscle, and contributes to relief of pain and stiffness.
Fibromyalgia
- Fibromyalgia is a condition affecting the musculoskeletal system, probably secondary to altered processing of pain signals by the brain and spinal cord.
- Pain signals travel along the nerves to reach brain and spinal cord, where the signals are realized and processed. This helps with awareness of pain and contributes to taking necessary steps for pain control.
- In individuals with fibromyalgia these signals are amplified contributing to significantly increased pain perception. This contributes to severe body pains and multiple tender points in the body. Poorly controlled pain leads to sleep disturbances, altered mood, and fatigue. Also, exaggerated pain levels limit the activity and range of motion in the joints, leading to stiffness and tightness in various body parts, which contributes to further pain.
- Flexeril, probably by controlling and relieving the spasms and tightness, relaxes the muscle, and contributes to relief of pain and improvement of symptoms in individuals with fibromyalgia.
