Hi Gail,

I take Zanaflex at night and it does make you sleepy.  I take 4 mg, but it
isn't enough to take away dystonia.  I either have to fall asleep before
dystonia hits or still take a little sinemet to get rid of it.  I wake up in
4 or 5 hours, but do sleep soundly.  Since waking up means more dystonia and
being totally off, I take 2 more mg of zanaflex with PD med,  and always go
back to sleep after some prowling,  stretching,  and meds.  It's not as good
as 7 straight hours, but it's much more rest than I used to get.  At this
dosage, I don't feel sluggish the next day.  Without it, I wouldn't sleep
nearly as well or as long, so I like it.

Paula Wittekind


----- Original Message -----
From: "Gail Vass" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2003 1:07 PM
Subject: Do you know any Parkies who have taken Zanaflex?


> Folks,
>
> Do you know any Parkies who have taken Zanaflex?
>
> Zanaflex, generic name Tizanidine Hydrochloride is a very effective
> antispasmodic that is used for muscle spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis.
> Muscles tend to go into a tight  contraction and not relax. This is
referred
> to as muscle spasticity .
>
> When contractions are strong and painful they are called cramps.
> There are many causes of muscle spasms and stiffness.  In MS, the
> medications Zanaflex, Baclofen and Valium are used for this
>
> My Parkie sister says at night she roams the house, has trouble sleeping,
> can't turn over ,  her legs become stiff and she can't relax them  She
says
> her legs get so stiff they become sore.
>
> Yes, she could take more Sinemet but she prefers not to [Dx 1996 ...
> has 8 years now], so we were talking about looking at other possible
solutions.
>
> She currently takes Sinemet 25/100  four times a day, Comtan 200 mg with
> the Sinemet  [four times a day] and Mirapex 1 mg three times a day.
>
> Has anyone on the list heard of Parkies taking Zanaflex or Baclofen for
this
> purpose and what was your experience?  Zanaflex would be great because
> it's fast acting, legs relax and tends to make you very sleepy!
>
> Thanks,
> Gail Vass
>
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