Teenutz

[teenutz]

I have a question about Soma? I have a back problem and have abused many pain killers over the years, so I try to avoid those. I went to the doctor several months ago (he knows about my past drug abuse) and gave me Soma 350mg. He told me to be careful with these, but they are much less addicting then any of the other pain killers out there. I have taken numerous muscle relaxants such as Skeltin and Relefan, but neither worked. I know alot about pills but not too much about the muscle relaxants. Anyway, I took one did nothing. He told me to increase my dosage to two as needed every 5-7 hours. I did this and wham! I felt great! My back stopped hurting and I felt pretty high. I didn't tell him about how good I felt because I thought that the increased dose was the cause. I have been taking these pills now for over 4 months, but I need more to achieve the same effect. What is going on here? What does Soma have in it that makes me feel like I am on top of the world? No other muscle relaxer has done that, and I don't want to start getting hooked on something else. I am a very strong person who has overcome alot of drugs, but I suffer from chronic back pain and I need some kind of medicine to help out. These pills are working, but now I take almost seven a day! I get agitated if I don't have them because they help me sleep, and they make t.v. watching more entertaining! I want to tell my doctor but I'm afraid he will take me off them. What is in these particular muscle relaxants? How addicting are they, and will they cause a narcotic like withdrawal syndrome if I stop? I have been through withdrawal before off narcotics, but I was not aware that muscle relaxers were addicting. There is something in Soma that makes you feel good, but I know its not codeine because its a different high. What are in these pills and what should I do? Any recommendations on something that kills back pain, but are not addicting? I have tried almost everything out there, and I thought this would work. The problem is it works too good!!!! I don't want to become an addict again. I normally am the one giving advice to others, but this medicine is strange because I think it is as addicting as Vicodin, which used to be my drug of choice after I got hooked on it from ankle surgery. Any thoughts or advice would help me here about this drug. Works great, but I am taking too much! Don't want to stop, but I want to take less. Maybe I need to talk to the doctor about this. I don't know. Please give me some info. about Soma and how addicting is it compared to other types of pills?          

[teenutz]

Thanks guys and gals for you comments. It really means alot to me. I am going to discuss this with my doctor, but I am scared that I will be put on something else that will work like ****. My back is bad, but I don't want to become an addict again. I am popping too many of these a day right now. I had alot of problems with being addicted to pain killers, although I hear Darvocet is a weaker narcotic compared to Vicodin. I used to take these as well, but I combined them with very high doses of Vicodin when I was hooked. I wonder if I asked my doctor for script, and took them alone if they would help. I know Darvocet can be addicting also, so I am confused right now. Any suggestions on some good pain meds that are not very addicting? That would help, so I could discuss it with my doctor. Maybe I am overeacting to my Soma use, but all I know is they work, but I need more to acheive the same effect. That frightens me. I don't really crave them, but I have to be honest I would be moody if I did not have them at my disposal. Any additional comments or suggestions would be fine. I am open to anything. I feel kind of silly because I know so much about different classes of drugs because of my education and unfortunately real life abuse, but I don't know everything. I am looking forward to helping all of you and learning more about myself in this forum, and about meds I am not as familiar with. Thanks guys and keep posting!!    

[HeyJupiter19]

Ive used soma for years and never had any withdrawl symptoms. and at one point i was taking 20 a day for months. so i dont see how they can be addictive physically. now, that im not taking anything else, they calm me down or just make it so i can sleep. but i dont always sleep right after taking them either. i can take 3 at a time and be fully functional. it all depends on the person.

[hillary5]

Hey there....i've also taken soma for the herniated disc problems, i just wanted to share this information i found on a web-site by googling 'soma muscle relaxers' .. ck this out ...

This medication may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Soma should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using Soma after using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using this medication suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. Soma can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase drowsiness and dizziness caused by Soma.

Withdrawal symptoms include stomach pain, sleep problems, headache, nausea, and seizure (convulsions). Do not stop using this medication suddenly without first talking to your doctor

i thought this might help you out as far as taking them and getting off of them ... i know when i wz on them i felt sooo wasted.  it wz a very weird high feeling.  then taking them w/vicodin, geez i couldn't do a thing .. literally just sat there feeling like 'gumby dammit' ... but pls talk to your dr since he knows about your past, he may be able to help you taper off or give you something else ... good luck to you!!!!  wish you the best!!!!  ;-)

[94orchard]

Hi.  I was an opiate addict for over 7 years.  I am now on a suboxone program with my doctor and he too prescribes me Soma (it helps me sleep too...) When I first started taking them I also felt the euphoria feeling, but had to keep taking more of them.  I got sick of running out of them.  I never had any withdrawls from them, but it's definately not good to rely on them to get by.  We always want instant-gratification.  You really should look into AA/NA meetings as you mental battle comes after the physical withdrawls.  Good Luck.  Kevin.

[IBKleen]

Morning! Just saw your post. Just for the future, when you post something..give it a title like "soma=help!". Funny as that sounds, people look at the titles and respond.

In any case, basically...Soma is a muscle relaxer that works by blocking pain sensations between the nerves and the brain. That's it in a nutshell. It is non-narcotic but that does not mean it is not addictive. I believe it is highly addictive.

I too suffer with chronic pain from an accident (6 herniated disks, muscle spasms, sciatica). I was on pain meds for many years and recently stopped. I do have a prescription for Soma, but I use them sparingly, usually at night when I cannot get comfortable to sleep. They help me.

If you taking that many, I think it is a problem. If I take more than 1, I am like "gumby".

I don't have any experience with w/d symptoms from taking them. As I said, 1 is enough for me. Hopefully someone can shed some more light on this.

I do think you should discuss this with your doctor, especially since he is aware of your drug abuse. Be honest with him.

Hope it all works out for you. Keep posting.

Take care.