Posted by yxibow on February 25, 2008, at 15:44:52
In reply to Re: PANIC ATACKS? what now? » yxibow, posted by sometimesblue on February 25, 2008, at 10:26:37
> I take soma for back problems (back spasms, back pain), I've been taking it for 3 years now, on and off. I'm supposed to start physical therapy, (actually I was supposed to start 4 months ago) and then some tests to see if there's any permanent nerve damage...but I work full-time, go to school, have 2 small kids (and 1 big one if you count my husband, lol). I just really haven't had the time.
>
> As far as the panic attacks, I had another one last week, same awful feeling - while I was driving. I had to pull over and have my brother drive. I just pray this isn't becoming a regular thing, I can't seem to figure out what is causing them. I have to make an appointment with someone, I'm not sure who...
I was just saying that if you take any significant amount of Soma there should be a double relief from anxiety. But I know it doesn't always work that way. It is besides a rather powerful back relaxant, which can have diminishing returns over the years for some just like the chemical cousin Robaxin I take (which is a carbamate also, but related to guaifenesin).
I take it for an 11 year reaction that hasn't changed to suddenly dumping a benzodiazepine that I had been taking for at least a year in college -- I didnt know at the time and friends said I was a bit too sedated (Tranxene, 3x day, dont do this, please.) Within 24 hours or so my scalp muscles started to move, so much that a friend I know could touch my head and feel them too.
The health clinic semi urgent place poo-pood it and my benzodiazepine hating doctor only gave me HALF of the dosage back to take, immediately. I could sue that person, she ran the mental health clinic like it was her own fiefdom (she was the only doctor -- except for nurse practicioners, PRNs who were allowed with the laws there to prescribe with orders and prescribe directly non-scheduled items.) So eventually I was off and on to propranolol (which was freely like candy even though there was no real warning that I can remember about watching your faintness, etc.)
Anyhow long story short about that is that I also take a back substance somewhat like Soma but I can't take Soma because my doctor(s) know that it could kill me with the Valium. So it doesnt penetrate into the head, just the spine.
I did physical therapy at one point. The best solution for my situation in the short run was stimulators, I found. I still have a portable stimulator that I haven't used in quite a while.
I would suggest on a side issue if you haven't tried electrical stimulation (this is a completely medically proven concept, called various things like TENS and russian stimulators, etc.) you might get some temporary benefits.They apply a crisscross of 4 pads and it gives microamps at high frequency of voltage, this releases muscle tension and actually causes locked muscles to release and move. The stationary ones are more powerful but insurance will pay for a portable one that you use your own pads, etc sometimes.
Anyhow, I've gone astray -- but there may be more than meets the eye as to panic attacks. This could also be a somatiform condition, or any possibilities including slightly too much stimulation from medication. I obviously am not your doctor, I'm just freethinking.
I hope you feel better-- Jay
poster:yxibow
thread:812569
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080221/msgs/814641.html