Soma and recovery???????

[youngdude421]

i have two herniated disks in my back. My doc gave me a script for soma. I don't know much about it. I don't wanna take it if it's very addictive, I'm in recovery and not gonna let a muscle pill make me use if it that type of med. anyone with experience with soma please reply.  Thanks

[dominosarah]

You sound like you are doing all the right things to stay in your recovery.  Good on you for asking questions!!

[youngdude421]

just wanted to thank you all for the comments. I haven't taken a soma like I said I got skelaxin which I take rarely only if my back is howling in pain cuz it knocks me out into last Tuesday. I Ben doing tons of stretching and I tolerate a little discomfort. I'd rather have a little discomfort than deal with a soma habit. Not saying if u take soma your a junkie or anything lol I just know myself well enough not to touch it. Prayers for everyone,.

[youngdude421]

no need to apologize for going on

[MLD61095]

I have severe chronic back pain due to an auto accident I was in many years ago. I've been on several different muscle relaxers including Skelaxin and Flexeril.  Skelaxin did not help me at all but Flexeril did. The Flexeril worked great for many years until it stopped and I had to switch to a new med and that's when my Dr put me on the Soma. The Soma does work great but I struggle to keep it under control. I have a history of self medicating my depression with my pain medication, but I've had to learn to manage it over the years thru Therapy and ALOT of  support from family, friends, and most recently, this forum! I also have RA that is so severe, my joints have actually dislocated under my own weight! I use many other therapies for pain control such as deep tissue massage, acupuncture, Chiropractic care, and Yoga,  this way I can keep my pain medications down to the lowest dose possible as I will probably be on pain medication for the rest of my life. I've been on several different types of medication for pain control, and had to discontinue a few due to my not being able to take it as prescribed because of my cravings for more and how addicting it was! I am now on Methadone for pain and it works great at the right dose and I do not have "cravings" for more, I do however struggle with the Soma and am considering trying to go back on the Flexiril. Sometimes I get so tired of being a slave to these drugs and often find myself in a terrible position, such as going on vacation out of state and having my script run out in the middle of my trip and not being able to fill one until I return home! These medications can impose such limitations on your life that are so inconvenient at times, but on the other hand, I would be in a wheel chair without them and would not even be functional enough to take care of myself and my family. I have 4 children, 2 of which are grown, but the other 2 are very young and need a fully functional mother. My husband works out of state, and is away from us for 2 weeks at a time, so in a sense I'm a single Mom half the time....sorry to go on and on, this is my first post and I'm SO happy to have found all you wonderful, caring people!  I have drawn so much strength just by reading everyone's posts, and feel like I know many of you already!

[Jinx_777]

also, everyone is different. flexeril works for some and not for others.  skelaxin works for some and not others.

you may have to try different ones to see what works for you.

soma is only dangerous when mixed with other meds.  just my opinion.

[Jinx_777]

skelaxin is another muscle relaxer.  personally, it did nothing for me. neither did flexeril.  
soma, however; did work.  i think the soma i was taking had codeine in it.  

if you are having severe muscle spasms maybe taking the soma AS PRESCRIBED, but not on a regular basis would be ok.  
but, when people are in recovery, i usually suggest NOT taking something on a regular basis.  only take when absolutely necessary.
i think when we take anything at a specific time, around the clock, our body becomes dependent, which then leads to addiction issues.

if muscle spasms are what is causing you pain, then a good muscle relaxer will relieve some of the pain and is better than an opiate

[youngdude421]

Anyone know anything about skelaxin? My doc just sent a script for that To my pharmacy in place of soma....

[youngdude421]

Anyone know anything about skelaxin? My doc just sent a script for that To my pharmacy in place of soma....

[IBKleen]

IF that is what you needed to do then good for you. Now you need to find something to control your pain. Ask your doctor about alternative treatments that are not narcotic. Let us know how you are doing.

[youngdude421]

Thanks guys I ripped up the script and threw it away

[Merri123]

With Flexeril, yes it works but depends on what you taking along with it. For example don't take it with a benzo like xanax. Baclofen is very good. I even read that in higher doses it can be used for addictions like alcohol and maybe heroin. It was in the Wikipedia site for it. Was very i teresting read.

[Junip]

Hi, my husband is disabled with chronic severe back/leg/hip pain from multiple failed surgeries and  and one of his pain management meds is Flexeril, that Clean mentioned. He too gets wicked muscle spasms and takes the Flexeril for that. It helps him. I am an opiate addict (for effect) but do get bad lower back pain at night, probably from carrying 60 pounds on my small frame during pregnancy...and I am getting older. I do not get any effect that I find appealing and have never abused it even though I have access to it. Soma, however, is super potent. One of our friend's wives became addicted to opiates and soma and died of sn accidental overdose last fall. Granted, she was mixing lots of meds but Soma is highly addictive. Get the Flexeril and good luck!

[clean_in_ks]

Hi youngdude!  I like your name :)  Wish I was a "young dudette"....LOL

I am VERY familiar with Soma.  It was one of my favorite DOC's.  
It WAS re-classified as an addictive controlled substance in January 2013.

I am a chronic pain person....had back surgery in 2011.  Soma is different from other muscle relaxants because "chemically"...it breaks down like a benzo....that is per my doctor that knows all about my addiction to drugs.
She will NOT prescribe it to me for that very reason.  It was a drug I used for many years (combined it with hydros for relief and then later for the affect).

I was given Flexeril post surgery and again with 2 back flare ups in the past 9 months.  Another muscle spasm/relaxant that is non-addictive is Baclofen.  Soma CAN be abused.....I abused it and always missed it when I couldn't get my hands on any.  If you are in recovery.....my counsel would be to stay FAR away from Soma.

[IBKleen]

Hi & Welcome,

I was prescribe Soma for many yers-I have 5 herniated disk, DDD, sciatica and Arthritis in my back. I get muscle spasms that are horrendous. The Soma DID work for me. Recently the FDA classified it as a narcotic, or at least put it in the same class. If you don't have muscle problems I would not take it. It is habit forming. Again, it is ONLY for muscle spasms or any other muscle problem. It will NOT help with the pain in your back. I suggest you call your doctor and ask for something else. There are several muscle relaxers that are not habit forming and work for that issue. Let us know how you are doing and what you decided.

[Sonrissa]

Hi there, Soma is a pretty strong muscle relaxer. I was prescribed it after surgery for a broken leg. I took it once, I think. It made me dizzy and sick to my stomach. It did not help me at all. I really do not know how addictive it can be, but I would say that if you already have addiction issues, you certainly could abuse it and become addicted.

I guess you need to weigh the benefits and risks. Personally, I would not take it unless absolutely necessary. But, I have very little experience with it. Others will add their info and opinions.

Take care!