Question: I’m 47 and (with exception to a 5 year period of heavy alcohol and drugs) have always been athletic, healthy, fit. No major injuries or health issues. Worked-out regularly, muscular in an athletic sense. Fairly good diet, supplements. About 2.5 years ago (age 45) my hips, lower back and upper buttocks began to hurt, ache. My back completely locked-up twice in a 6 month period and had to be taken to emergency clinic. It was uncomfortable to sit on a sofa and lay on my side when sleeping. As this problem progressed, I had to cease working-out. Over the course of the next 12 months, by back (lower and upper), shoulders, neck area, hips, buttocks were in constant state of tightness, tender, painful. There was no method of relief. None. I began to take Tizanidine about 12 months ago in an attempt to get everything loose. Over the course of the following 6 months, my muscles relaxed significantly and situation improved greatly, yet not completely. I’d say I improved by 80%. Hips remained tender to the touch and had to use a ultra thick foam mattress topper. I ceased my Tizanidine use completely. However, over the course of the last 6 months, my muscle mass and tone have decreased significantly and drastically. I have mild and prolonged spasms in legs, buttocks, back and shoulders. Sometimes one area will spasm for weeks. The spasms are mild and not typically the top layer of muscle. The spasms tend to be deep or the underside of the muscle and sometimes just a section or strip of the muscle. The loss of muscle tone and mass has obviously decrease my strength. I also have soreness in my ankles, right shoulder and right tricep. I realize this could all be due to a number of things: ALS, Muscular Dystrophy, etc. Could these issues be the result of the Tizanidine use? Could they be the result of an organ issue? If I need to see a physician, should I see a general or specialized physician?

I forgot to mention: I've had three bouts of constipation within the last 5-6 months, too. Won't go for a few days. Extremely painful. Need tons of fiber and softeners to get things moving. Then fine for a month or two before a re-occurrence. Constipation has NEVER been an issue for me. Additionally, on a scale of 1 to 10, my libido is now at 0.