Feedback on Soma Side Effects and Usage, page 3
About Soma
If you’ve used Soma, please help others by adding your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.
Subj: 5 years on Soma
Date: 4/1/2005
I’ve been on Soma for 5 years now. I was introduced to the drug when I was injured and it was prescribed to me for neck pain. I’ve been on it ever since. I can go through 60 350mg tabs in 3 days. Does that sound like an overdose to you? I want to stop taking them but it’s so hard for me. My friends are worried about me and has told me their concerns. I do not take any other drugs but I do mix alcohol occasionally with Soma. I’ve been off of Soma for 6 days now but I’m worried that I’m going to give in. I am not feeling very good at all. I feel very different physically and mentally. My body has been use to taking 2 every 2 hours for 5 years. Or even more. Is my body having a reaction to not taking the Soma’s for this many days? I really think I might need help but how do I know? I think I’m an addict. It’s cost my job. My goals and my ambitions are lost. I have no drive anymore. I don’t know what is going to happen to me.
Leah
AskDocWeb: You have definitely overdosed and it sounds like it went on for a long time. We suggest you see a physician and get counseling to get back on track.
Subj: Something has to change
Date: 4/3/2005
O.k. here’s my story. I don’t share this often but somethings gotta change. About 3 years ago I began having severe neck pain. Through an m.r.i. I found out that I have degenerative disk disease. At times the pain is so severe that I can’t move my head and even hitting a reflector while changing lanes in the car causes me to groan. My doctor prescribed bextra for the inflammation and it seemed to work some. I also have alot of anxiety with my occupation and was given lexapro, which worked great. Then my doctor moved and my insurance changed. The new doctor put me on soma and vicodin for the pain and said that bextra was not covered. He also switched my lexapro with prozac because of insurance coverage. Through this change I developed insomnia. The doctor then prescribed me ambien. Here’s the problem!!
I told the doctor that this combo of meds were not working and he put me on norco instead of vicodin and doubled the dosage of my prozac. I began blacking out and doing things that I don’t remember doing like driving (I was in 2 accidents in 2 weeks) as well as calling family members and friends to chat and sounding drunk or stoned. I weaned myself off of the norco and vicodin. However I still at times black out from the combo of soma, ambien and prozac. Insurance only covers 7 physical therapy sessions which have already been used. My doctor wants to put me back on vicodin and if I don’t take the soma and ambien I am in constant pain and cannot sleep. I have a good job, awesome wife and 2 children under 4 years of age and would like to keep them all!! Are there any other remedies that I could ask my doctor about? And has anyone else experienced symptoms like this??
Thanks,
R.B.
AskDocWeb Chronic pain is one of the most draining conditions. It affects every aspect of your life. You may have already tried some of these but here are some ideas.
The first is a Tenz unit. This is an electronic device used to cope with the pain. The closer the problem area is to the surface, the more relief a Tenz unit may give you.
Get a professional Massage and tell them about your condition. You want the full treatment, a full hour or hour and a half. This will do more for you than just the benefit of that single massage. It will build a memory of what it feels like to be very relaxed. You can use that memory as a resource by reliving it in times of stress.
Alternating hot pads and cold packs have helped many.
Try heat pads when you are ready for sleep.
Rubbing ice directly on your neck can also be useful.
Some people get good result from learning to relax muscles with biofeedback.
And of course there is the 800 mgs of Ibuprofen.
Subj: Concerned about sister
Date: 4/9/2005
My sister has 4 compressed disks and recently has been given Soma. I am quite concerned as she seems to have a numbing leg pain and heart palpitations after taking the drug. My sister is a healthy 30 year old only suffers from low blood pressure. Should I be concerned?
Michelle
AskDocWeb Yes, you have reason to be concerned. Make sure she sees her doctor, and if she won’t be open with him, have someone go with her.
Subj: Response to Sally
Date: 4/18/2005
My response is to Sally who has been taking xanax for anxiety. I have a panic disorder which was diagnosed when I was 21. I am now 40. I have been taking xanax for 19 years, therefore have built up a tolerance to it, taking 2mg per day. I quit taking it, and had a grand mal seizure. I am tapering off of it slowly now, and am starting soma in a very small dose to ward off any withdrawal symptoms. I am to the point that I have become agoraphobic, and feel paralyzed. Hopefully there is a light at the end.
Jodi
Subj: Got arrested and stopped
Date: 4/30/2005
I’ve used somas to get me high around 5 times. I use to abuse drugs quite frequently but when I got arrested I stopped. Somas just helped me to relax and seemed pretty harmless. Me and a couple of my buddies would pop some during school. It’s a bad idea. It’s extremely hard to read and pay attention. They will make you fall asleep quickly if you are not doing anything. OD’ing on somas is not cool. My fried took 11 at one time not realizing how many he took. At school he could hardly walk, you couldn’t even see his pupils. Thankfully he didn’t have to go the hospital or anything. Just don’t even try them…eventually you will get caught or hurt.
Anonymous
Subj: Back pain
Date: 5/9/2005
I have had a condition in my back for 6 years and have found very little that helps with the pain. I have tried several muscle relaxers and pain meds. flexeril and Robaxin aren’t worth the bottle they are put in by the pharmacies. Robaxin makes my heart race and flexeril makes me sleep 12 hours per pill no relief in muscle spasms. Soma mildly helps but I don’t get why anyone would abuse them. The only relaxer I have had that helps is valium.
Jim
AskDocWeb: There are several problems with using Valium. It is contraindicated for people with glaucoma and is not to be used during pregnancy. Long term use has caused neutropenia, jaundice, and an increase in grand mal seizures.
Valium also interacts with phenothiazines, narcotics, barbiturates, MAOIs and other antidepressants. Also, you have to avoid alcohol and other CNS-depressants.
Subj: Stopping soma
Date: 5/22/2005
When one stops taking soma for a period of 2-3 days after having been taking soma 2 tablets a day for 6 weeks could get a dehydration seizure. Also the person was taking 1 vicodin for 6 weeks, and 3-4 tablets of aleve 2 times a day for 6 weeks. Would this also cause a dehydration seizure with CT scan negative for seizures? Would tremors also exist after stopping soma medication? Thanks for your attention to this matter.
Belinda
AskDocWeb: It sounds like you are trying to diagnose yourself, please don’t. You really need to talk to your physician.
Subj: Question about soma
Date: 5/30/2005
How long does soma stay in your system?
Mike
AskDocWeb: Soma stays in your body for about 14 days.
Subj: Ginny’s story
Date: 6/6/2005
My mother died of a soma overdose in 1998. She was taking up to 30 pills a day…before she died. She introduced me to this drug. Having never been addicted to anything in my life, I enjoyed the relaxing feeling. I started out taking 2 or 3, then it progressed to 10 a day…after 8 years I am now in the same situation my mother was in. I take care of my 83 year old father who has Alzheimer’s. The Soma’s seem to ease the burden. I know I am an addict now and want so to stop. I too wait for the prescriptions…in between prescriptions. I try and take Valium which has been prescribed to me for panic disorder…to try and make a long story short…I lost a very prosperous restaurant. I married an alcoholic and have only one child who is having much difficulty in his marriage…I use many of these excuses to take Soma…there is no excuse…if I continue, I know I will die, just as my mother did. Please people, I KNOW, I have been there…still there…but know it is just a matter of time before I take just one too many. As in most addictive drugs, we want to feel like the first time…only to take more and more to achieve that high…result…DEATH. I may never have a chance to write this again…I am begging you…please do not get into this unfortunate trap that inevitably will be my demise.
Ginny
AskDocWeb: My heart goes out to you Ginny. Thanks for sharing your story, other people need to hear this.
Subj: Fibromyalgia and Soma
Date: 6/7/2005
I have taken SOMA off & on for 10 years only at night, 2 tablets for a sleep disorder and fibromyalgia. I have been curious as to whether there are any long term side effects. I do have some alertness problems during the day and some memory problems.
N
AskDocWeb: You should be able to switch now to another medication that will help with your fibromyalgia. Ask your doctor about switching.
Subj: Safe dosage
Date: 6/16/2005
Can you build up a tolerance to this drug? How much is a safe dose at one time for a male 170lbs?
Jo
AskDocWeb: Yes, you can build up a tolerance to Soma. Take the dosage that your physician has directed.
Subj: Soma and yeast infections
Date: 6/20/2005
Can somas cause yeast infections or stop them from reoccurring?
Betty
AskDocWeb: No, it has nothing to do with yeast infections.
Subj: Soma ruining relationship
Date: 6/22/2005
I started taking Soma about a year ago after a car wreck. I have found it very difficult to give up. I went through a week of hell, cramps, nausea, etc. However I still have severe panic attacks and find myself taking it. It works like nothing else on a panic attack. But it is going to ruin my relationship.
Patricia
AskDocWeb: It sounds like you may be getting addicted to the Soma. Ask your doctor about an alternative, there are other things to work for panic attacks. Read more feedback about Soma. Soma report – 2 – Page 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 – Last Page 48
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