I don't understand this. I've been given all the reasons. E.g. the FDA is stopping the manufacuring of SOMA. They are addictive. And so on... I have been on SOMA for 8 years and never abused them. For crying out loud they have me on OxyContin and Roxicodone. I have been off SOMA for 3 months now and have tried all the other muscle relaxers. None of the others work!! My quality of life has plummeted. I don't know what to do. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
My pain mgmt clinic is taking all patients off Soma?
- Posted:
- 12 Oct 2011 by tlc&more
- Topics:
- soma, muscle spasm, pain, nocturnal leg cramps, fda
Details:
Responses (9)
Delila12 Oct 2011
Hi check out this webpage; http://www.healthboards.com/boards/archive/index.php/t-591374.html
I don't want you to think i am lazy by just adding a link, but there are several suggestions of alternatives for soma and thought it better for you to have a look through and see what people have to say. I think this was posted by people that soma didn't necessarily work for, rather than they were taken off it, but that doesn't make any different to the alternatives that are suggested. I hope you can fine something that works for you!
Anonymous 
Anonymous 12 Oct 2011
Sorry about the typos, just woke up!
tlc&more
12 Oct 2011
Hi Mary - Thanks for responding. I have a huge mix of problems. As far as surgery goes I have had a couple of cervical anterior fusions due to herniated disks. I think the herniated disks were a result of degenerative disk disease which I have had for several years. I also have facet disease. I have several spinal problems including spinal cord thinning in my cervical spine and Chiari Malformation. I'm not sure if any of these are the cause of my severe muscle spasms in my neck and back. Thanks again.
Anonymous 12 Oct 2011
Hi
I know Soma works very well for some people. And I am so sorry that you are suffering!!
I recently switched from Soma (I was afraid to take it) to Baclofen, and I cannot believe the difference it has made!! If you are prescribed enough of it, you may be amazed at how well it works.
Give it a try, or as Delila suggested, look at that link, at all the other alternatives to Soma, there are many choices.
Best wishes to you!!
DzooBaby12 Oct 2011
When I first came to my current PM clinic one of the Drs I saw took me off Soma saying that it was a horribly addictive drugs, etc. I, like you, thought this sounded really dumb because I take OxyContin and Oxycodone for breakthrough which are both highly addictive too and I've always been able to take or leave the Soma then after a few years I was passed off to the Dr I'm working with now and she recently put me back on the Soma and basically said the same-well you are already on addictive drugs-this wont be any worse! I've been hearing rumors about this drug beiong taken off the market all this past year and so far it hasnt happened. Of course now that I'm finally back on it, it will probably go bye bye! lol I used to be on Zanaflex which I could only take at bedtime because it just knocked me out! I do miss the sleep I used to get on Zanaflex but over all I do feel better on the Soma. It seems to relax the muscles better. If I have to pick an alternative it would either be zanaflex again or flexeril. Flexeril just dries my mouth out so bad!
tlc&more
12 Oct 2011
I'm on flexiril now. It's not working very well. They put me on zanaflex first but it made my heart race. Thanks for the feedback.
tlc&more
12 Oct 2011
I was wondering what state you're in? I'm in Texas and it seems to be extremely bad here...
Jillynnie12 Oct 2011
Hi again, Tic :)
I am thinking with the others responses that so far it is only affecting the PM clinics like we discussed. It appears that the 'regular' doctors offices are still dispensing these scripts and have not heard of them being pulled. I asked my Family doctor as well as my Neurologist office. Both said they have not heard of this being banned from the market.
I'm still of the belief that is has to do with PM clinics being closely monitored by DEA.
Makes you wanna say hmmmmm...
Best to you!
~Jillynnie
Anonymous 12 Oct 2011
hmmmmmmmmmmm.
My GP still prescribes Soma regularly. So, perhaps Jillynnie is right, go to a GP and see if you can get your Soma? Tis a good idea Jillybean!!!
Using that noggin God gave ye, I see!!
sweets
xoxo jillybeans!!
tlc&more
12 Oct 2011
Thanks to all you guys for the great advice. This is a wonderful forum. It's such a relief to find a place where others understand what you're going through. It has been a bitter pill to swallow (ha no pun intended) going from a relatively healthy, functioning human being to where I am now. My pain mgmt clinic is very strict. You can't get meds from any other doctor and they randomly drug screen to make sure you're not taking anything they're not giving you. Also, to make sure you are taking what they prescribe to you. This has never been a problem for me. I have never abused my meds. I know my GP would prescribe Soma for me but he won't prescribe my pain meds. So that's the delimna. I may try to find another pain mgmt clinic. The one I go to is about a 45 min drive anyway. I'm sure I could find something closer to home. It's worth a look.
meyati
bloxham
mojoman tlc&more
13 Oct 2011
I know I haven't slept more than 3 or 4 hours a night since they took me off Soma. The crazy thing is they are offering to give me Ambien instead. It is also a controlled substance and highly addictive. Does that make sense?
DzooBaby
13 Oct 2011
It doesnt make sense. I really dont know why they are all so against Soma. It is no more addictive than your pain meds. These Drs just get something in their minds and that is it! I first saw it on a website called Medscape for Drs and nurses that one of the Drs was talking about how horrible Soma is and how it breaks down ito Meprobamate in the body and that Meprobamate was banned a long time ago (it used to be on the market as a sleeping med called Miltown) so perhaps this is where the resistance is coming from?
mojoman
choops2 tlc&more
14 Oct 2011
My sentiments exactly. I really don't know what to do. I have a bulge the size of a baseball between my neck and right shoulder at present. I can't even turn my head. Like I've said in previous posts my quality of life is in the toilet. I guess maybe I will try to find another doctor. Although, from what I'm hearing most of the pain mgmt clinics (in Texas anyway) are doing the same thing. It's funny though, I said the exact same thing as you just a couple of months ago when this happened to a friend of mine.
bloxham tlc&more
14 Oct 2011
But how would you know if it was a legitimate site to order through the mail?
tlc&more
28 Oct 2011
Bloxham - would you please PQ me?
brenda fainSearch for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
Similar questions
Why isn't Soma recommended in the management of long term chronic pain?
Soma's are supposed to be prescribed for short term use like if you have a muscle spasm in your back or something. What I don't understand ...
11 answers • 27 Oct 2010 • 
Soma for Fibromyalgia?
I am currently on Soma 350mg 3x daily for my Fibromyalgia with mild relief if I am having a mild day that is. Has anyone out there with Fibromyalgia ...
28 answers • 10 Nov 2010 •
Is the FDA taking Soma off the US market, and can you still purchase Soma in canada?
5 answers • 30 May 2011 •
Gabapentin - Good or bad for muscle spasms?
I saw my primary doc today and asked if he would put me back on Soma since the pain mgmt clinic took all patients of this med. He suggested that I ...
3 answers • 31 Oct 2011 •
Soma - Where can I buy this product?
I have use this produc for mu back muscle because i"ve had 5 back surgeries and im in need of this medication. If you have any information it ...
3 answers • 8 Feb 2012 • 1 star
I would complain, complain and complain some more ..its the clinic not the FDA..I couldn't fundpstion without my soma ..so remember complain a lot!
Bloxham - That's about where I'm at now. Believe me I have been complaining. My quality of life is in the toilet since they took me off Soma almost 3 months ago. They just keep trying other muscle relaxers. May have something to do with living in Texas. Not sure though...
Delila -
Thanks for the info. They're are some really good suggestions on this website. Some I've tried and some I haven't. Right now I'm in so much pain I can't do anything but sit in my recliner and try to find a position that doesn't kill me. Sorry, I really don't mean to be on my pitty pot. I know we are all suffering here. I'm just having an extremely hard time right now. It helps to have people that understand.
Tlc I feel your pain..
Bloxham -
I have been giving your comment some thought and have decided to take your advise. I'm going to bug the crap outta them until they do something to help me. You're right the squeaky wheel gets the grease. At least I will know I've done all I can. Plus, it beats sitting around feeling sorry for myself. That's not me anyway. I'm a take action kinda gal. Hehehe. Appreciate the empathy!
You could also consider finding a new pain management doctor ..they work for you rememeber that! But complain ,complain,complain!!
I have been thinking about that. But from what I understand most of the pain mgmt clinics in Texas are doing the same thing. Plus, it's really hard to find one. They're not advertised in the yellow pages. I wish there was a resource for finding the right doctor or clinic that provides the service I need.
Can you go to your primary doctor for a referral?
Yes, go to your primary for a referral if you have a good working relationship with him/her. I had to do this to get a new pain management doctor. I was in tears because I weaned off of methadone to go back to vicodin & it took me a year to do it & was promised by the pain mgmnt doc they would give it to me, but then the FDA changed the rulles & they wouldn't write it.My primary care doc stayed on the phone & went thru the list of pain mgnmt docs in the area until he found one that would prescribe what I needed. He knows me very well, & knows what I needed , but also because of FDA he couldn't write it for me. So I still say yes if your primary understnds your condition & knows what you are on already he/she will help you...
My primary doc is great. I'm in much the same situation there. He would write for my meds if it wasn't for all the red tape. He is actually the one who referred me to the pain mgmt clinic I go to now. I can def ask him to help me find another one. It's too bad though. I love the drs at the one I go to now. Truthfully, I hate change. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet though. I will give it some thought.