Posted by yxibow on December 17, 2005, at 23:46:00
In reply to Started Soma (carisoprodol) - any experiences?, posted by lunesta on December 16, 2005, at 19:30:50
> This is being used for sleep, muscle aches, anxiety and depression. Anyone have any good/bad things to say or experiences with Soma. I am considering Zanaflex is this does not work.
Soma is chemically related to Miltown, an anti-anxiety drug of the 60s, which has been removed from the formulary I believe. If Soma were released today it would probably be C-II or C-III. It is not scheduled. It has a risk of dose escalation.
That being said, I was once prescribed in the past Soma and never took it because I was afraid of some of its possible side effects (jelly like legs -- not that common). But I more recently took it -- oh my god, its like heaven for a permanent spasmotic condition I still have from the withdrawal from Tranxene (a benzodiazepine -- not that I'm against benzodiazepines but that was a bad episode). However because of all the medications I'm on currently my doctor will not prescribe it, if any of my several doctors would prescribe it at all. So you're lucky! Just be careful of not having a dose escalation, it is a very distant cousin of barbiturates.
Zanaflex was the one "new" antispasmotic/back relief agent I haven't tried. Flexeril was a god awful drug in my opinion, being very similar to tricyclics and rather anticholinergic. I currently take Robaxin at a level I can tolerate; a higher level, though never investigated for P450 interactions caused some mild serotonin syndrome like conditions because of the other antidepressant drugs I take. So I backed off. It reduces the number of times I semi-voluntarily crack my neck during the day. But its nothing like Soma on things... even half a Soma is more potent.
But I go on... good luck with it and remember to tell your doctor(s) about what other medications you take.. there are increased CNS depression associated with things like benzos, which is why I cant take it :/
poster:yxibow
thread:589660
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051211/msgs/589940.html