mistya
Newbie
Reged: 12/11/03
Posts: 29
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I have used Soma for 3 months now for muscle spasms/pain in back. I have spondylolithesis, spondylosis, arthritis, and bulging discs throughout my spine. I am not getting any relief from the soma anymore. Can anyone suggest something that may help me?? Thanks in advance!
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spondylolithesis L4-L5 & L5-S1, spondylosis, spondyloarthropathies, buldging discs, sciatica, and endometriosis.
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hunt1
Member
Reged: 02/07/04
Posts: 128
Loc: TEXAS
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SOMA NEVER DID EVER WORK ON ME SO A FRIEND RECOMMEND VALIUM AND THAT HAS WORK. I DO NOT KNOW WHY BUT IT DID.
HUNT
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mpcagh
Member
Reged: 12/27/03
Posts: 130
Loc: California
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As far as muscle relaxers go, I think many would consider Soma to be the best. If Soma is no longer working for you maybe you should consider moving to a different type/class of drugs. This might help to relieve the pain that the muscle relaxers can't anymore.
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"There's a fine line between love and hate, and a mile full of lessons in between." William M. Siegel, Jr.
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kayleighbear
Member
Reged: 12/01/03
Posts: 102
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That's a good question. Anyone know if you take a muscle relaxer for, say, a month... do you become physically dependent like you would with hydro and have w/d symptoms from it?
I personally take flexeril and it's been okay, but I don't take it every day.
K
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booker
Board Addict
Reged: 08/15/03
Posts: 348
Loc: The Moon
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My understanding is that taking Soma on a short term basis is a wonderful muscle relaxer and works great. However, depending on the person, even as short a period of a month, they can quit working for you. I have read this several places and also experienced it myself. Perhaps trying a different muscle relaxer will help; Dr. gave me 10 mg of diazam to try and it worked. But, like anything eventually your body gets used to it.
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"would you like to swing on a star, carry moonbeams home in a jar, and be better off than you are, or would you rather be a ....."
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LeighA
Member
Reged: 06/12/03
Posts: 117
Loc: Pacific Northwest
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Hi Mistya - I noticed that my tolerance built very quickly with Soma. In fact, in a matter of one week it was not as effective as the first 5-6 days I took it. What I do is stop taking it for 4-5 days then take it for a week after that, if you can stand it w/o a muscle relaxer. Or maybe take something different while on the Soma break like Flexeril. Good luck.
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catmom
Board Addict
Reged: 06/20/03
Posts: 325
Loc: Midwest
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My tolerance to Soma built pretty quickly as well. It took a few weeks but it definitely isn't as effective as before. Just my .02 Catmom
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God, please help me to be the person my DOG already thinks I am.
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mistya
Newbie
Reged: 12/11/03
Posts: 29
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Thanks a lot for your responses. Last night was horrible. I have sciatica also and it has just torn me apart last night along with my back. I will try to look into changing meds this next consult with my OP. I have had valium prescribed to me once before when I first got my MRI back, and it didn't really do anything for me. For someone who needs spinal surgery, like myself, my primary doc gave me a whopping #15 valium! LOL That was a while back though, so I guess I will give it another shot. I am not too crazy about having spinal surgery, but I recently moved, so maybe my new doc will be a little better about understanding my pain. My last doc gave me motrin for pain and that was like saying "it's all in your head" but when my MRI came back, he did rx me the 15 valium and that is long gone! LOL
Thanks again everyone!
I am off to the store to see if I can't find another topical rub for my back.
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spondylolithesis L4-L5 & L5-S1, spondylosis, spondyloarthropathies, buldging discs, sciatica, and endometriosis.
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dsmmcm
Board Addict
Reged: 11/08/03
Posts: 391
Loc: southwest US
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You might give zanaflex a try. Works well for some people. Just put me to sleep, but that's not so bad either.
D
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MAXICAT
Journeyman
Reged: 12/13/03
Posts: 73
Loc: TEXAS
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I also have sciatica. EXCRUCIATINGLY painful!!!!! The soma helps me, but also, you do have to switch because it will not work as well after a while. One thing that has helped my sciatica tremendously, is getting trigger point shots where the muscles are the tightest. In my butt, but (haha) I cannot begin to tell you how much they help. I do realize everyone is not the same, so it may not work for you. I did go from not being able to cook, walk, stand, sit, or lie down for any period of time, to much improvement. I hate needles, but the doc I use for the shots is great and it has been a life saver. Just a thought since the condition is similar!
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Curtisd3
Newbie
Reged: 01/29/04
Posts: 49
Loc: Michigan
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An injection of Toredol! It's non-narcotic, so there should be no problem. Don't let them prescribe Toredol in pill form--it doesn't work, but the injection did wonders for me.
Curtisd3
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Butterfliez
Newbie
Reged: 02/25/04
Posts: 38
Loc: Somewhere, USA
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Hi everyone... I take Soma daily for aprox. 2 years now. My doctor gives it to me for sciatica. I find it isn't as strong as it was when I first started taking it but it works better then just naproxen which along with Soma is all my Dr was willing to prescribe. I actually prefer it now because I can function on it since I have no side effects really...it just helps with the pain and stiffness of my back and sciatica. I have tried to go without the Soma but the pain is much worse and the withdrawal for me is worse then a hydro withdrawal. I suffer from restless leg syndrome at night and without the Soma its unbearable. I won't sleep for days literally. So for now Soma is part of my diet lol. Stupid back ...  But for anyone who was wondering about the withdrawal from muscle relaxors, its not pleasant but Im sure it is different for different people.
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~ Kat ~
>^..^
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voogoo
Stranger
Reged: 01/07/02
Posts: 11
Loc: Land of the Free
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Quote:
I think many would consider Soma to be the best
IMHO, Skelaxin (metaxalone) worked much better than Soma (carisoprodol) ... much much better ... no, i mean MUCH MUCH better!
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debbrad
Member
Reged: 11/06/03
Posts: 100
Loc: Texas, USA
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Mistya, You could try taking your soma with pain medication. I've taken soma for years and when I take my hydro and soma together it works fine. How many times a day do you take the soma? I take mine with the hydro, 3 times a day. Then I take xnax at bedtime and I can get a fairly good night's sleep. ( As good as any cper can). I sure had a problem this week when I had an mri without soma that morning because I ran out. The teck kept saying I was moving, but my neck and back were spasming and you just can't stop it at will. LOL. Also, try eating something about ten miniutes after you take the soma.
Lots of Luck,
Deb
Ps I have never had withdraw from going without, so I guess I'm lucky
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Butterfliez
Newbie
Reged: 02/25/04
Posts: 38
Loc: Somewhere, USA
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I agree with you on this...Soma and hydro are the perfect combo for my pain. Just Soma by itself is better then nothing...but once I found this site and NWW and started getting hydro, I can function again!! I just started a new job and I can sit most of the day with little to no pain. (lots of stretching needed of course) But with adding the hydro to the mix it has helped tremendously!! Now just need these OPs to stay legal so I can keep functioning. (fingers crossed and petitions signed!!) 
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~ Kat ~
>^..^
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MAXICAT
Journeyman
Reged: 12/13/03
Posts: 73
Loc: TEXAS
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I do the same with soma and pain meds, also, I try to eat a little something as well. Seems strange, but it works better. Wonder why?
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LumbarSpasm
Silent Chaos
Reged: 05/07/02
Posts: 1538
Loc: USA
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Taking a break from your Soma will help it work better.
To me Soma is more powerful if you take it on an empty stomach and then eat.
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LumbarSpasm
Or just a pain in the butt?!
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