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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Pam-I-Am on September 19, 2003, at 14:18:33
My doctor just switched me to Soma. Took two before bed and my husband told me about a SLEEP-WALKING-LIKE state I went into. I don't remember a thing, but he said I was up doing stupid stuff and that he was yelling at me to get me to wake up, but I wouldn't respond. This went on for a couple of hours. It really scared him and me too, after he told me. I called my doctors office and they simply said to stop taking it. No explanation. Does anyone know what happened to me?? Is this a normal reaction or could it be an alergic reaction?? Help!!
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on September 19, 2003, at 18:33:42
In reply to Soma-Coma!, posted by Pam-I-Am on September 19, 2003, at 14:18:33
Sounds like a blackout, just like one might have with too much alcohol. I've had those before from Soma, at much higher doses though (2,100mg+). You must just be hypersensitive.
Posted by matthhhh on September 20, 2003, at 19:09:20
In reply to Re: Soma-Coma! » Pam-I-Am, posted by Ame Sans Vie on September 19, 2003, at 18:33:42
hey Ame, sorry to get off topic, but just wondering if you had any success with the tryptophan you were going to order off that website lar suggested
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on September 21, 2003, at 0:28:18
In reply to Re: Soma-Coma!, posted by matthhhh on September 20, 2003, at 19:09:20
Actually, I still haven't ordered it yet -- I was waiting until I got some spending money from selling this old weight machine I have. A guy called up about the ad today and offered $200 for it (I bought it for $150, lol), so I'll probably be ordering the tryptophan and some other more experimental things...
See, I'm going to see a pain management doctor for the first time on Monday, and I'm *really* hoping that somehow he can talk Medicaid into covering Xyrem for me; otherwise I can't afford it ($220 for a 10-20 day supply?? you've gotta be shi**in' me!!). We've already talked about it on our initial phone consultation since his office is 80 miles away. He's registered with Orphan Medical to prescribe Xyrem and he's reviewed my faxed medical records and spoken with my rheumatologist and pdoc. He says he has almost a dozen fibro patients on Xyrem therapy, and seems to think I'd be a great candidate for it. Of course I already know that because I tried the stuff about six months ago (before I became destitute, lol), and since then I've been occasionally using my homemade GHB, which is every bit as good -- I just want to go the legal route. If I can't get it covered though, I'm probably going to be taking OxyContin. I'd really prefer hydrocodone since I don't get so much euphoria from it, but I'm allergic to APAP/aspirin/NSAIDs and can't afford to have a prescription for straight hydrocodone bitartrate filled at a compounding pharmacy like I used to do. I wouldn't mind Oramorph SR or Demerol so much except they aren't nearly as effective when administered orally as opposed to parenterally.
Really though, I'd like to not be taking opioids for the pain at all -- I see Xyrem as a very holistic solution to the problem, since it actually gets to the root of the pain and doesn't just cover it up. So if Xyrem won't be covered, I'm going to start the search for the perfect GHB substitute. Yesterday I stumbled upon some items that I think, combined, could be a great alternative to Xyrem, and I posted about it on PBAlternative. I mentioned in the post that I was going to try a combination of Liquid Relaxation (contains 4-methyl-GHB, a.k.a. GHV, binds strongly to GHB receptors; also contains Suntheanine, a trademarked very potent form of l-theanine, which affects GABA and dopamine), Invigorate II (seems to provide the delayed GHB dopamine rush), Xanax (GABA-A agonist) and baclofen (GABA-B agonist). The reasoning behind this is simple -- GHB acts in four main ways: agonism of GHB-receptors, GABA-A receptor agonism, GABA-B receptor agonism, and a prolonged inhibition of dopamine release followed by a brain-flood of all that backed-up dopamine. GHB may also partially degrade to GABA within the brain, and looking at alt.drugs.ghb, it seems that a lot of G-heads enjoy the stuff more when they've taken a large dose of Picamilon with it. I may try a megadose of Picamilon during one or two of my experiments (one or two grams), but it's too expensive to use that way on a consistent basis. I don't have any baclofen yet, but will get some soon (it's prescription, for muscle spasms).
I tried the other three last night before bed though and employed the Xyrem dosing strategy (i.e. set alarm for four hours after going to sleep to take second dose) and this morning woke up feeling very refreshed and not in nearly as much pain as usual. I usually have to spend the first four or five hours of the day in bed waiting for the omnipresent pain to become somewhat bearable, and even then I struggle to stay awake for the first eight or ten hours of the day due to a horrible fatigued, sleep-deprived, "hollow" kind of feeling. But today, I *almost* felt as good as I do when I use real G at night. You'd think I'd be a lot more excited about the whole thing, but I'm afraid to start using this combination regularly because I just know it won't be long before GHV goes the way of GBL and 1,4-butanediol; under the Analog Act, any substance that produces similar pharmacological results and possesses a similar chemical structure to a Schedule I or II controlled substance is considered an analog of that substance and could be considered illegal itself. It probably won't be people abusing the substance itself that catches the DEA's attention though. Now that GBL is so difficult to obtain, clandestine GHB labs are looking for new precursors (the one they're using right now is called THF, don't know what that stands for... Tetrahydro-furanone comes to mind though, since another name for GBL is 2(3H)-Furanone dihydro). Synthesizing GHB from GHV would be relatively easy, though it would require a little more than the kitchen chemistry needed to make it from GBL -- you just gotta get rid of that darn methyl group.
I was also considering buying gamma crotonolactone and reacting it with sodium/potassium hydroxide and lab-grade ethanol to create Na-GHC (the same way gamma butyrolactone is used to make Na-/K-GHB). I realize now there's no point to that since GHC and GCL are already being abused, so there's no point in getting my hopes up concerning yet another chemical that surely won't be available commercially for much longer. I'm sure it's inferior to GHB, and it's stupid to turn to research chemicals anyway... I'm just very, very desperate at this point, especially with the upcoming move. I know my body couldn't take it in the state it's in currently.
I'd just sell my DextroStat, Klonopin and Ultram to pay for my Xyrem each month if I didn't hate jail so much, lol.
Anyway, sorry I rambled on about all this, lol. I'm just really nervous about Monday, I guess. I'll keep you informed on the tryptophan!
Posted by matthhhh on September 21, 2003, at 8:18:55
In reply to Re: Soma-Coma!, posted by matthhhh on September 20, 2003, at 19:09:20
Hey Ame, if you noticed on the website it says that the tryptophan (the only one i could find) is GP Equine which means its for horses! im not sure if its suitable for humans then.
If someone hasnt responded well to 5 htp do u think there is any hope trying tryptophan?
Posted by femlite on September 21, 2003, at 12:49:30
In reply to Soma-Coma!, posted by Pam-I-Am on September 19, 2003, at 14:18:33
Why are you taking two at time?
Ive been on soma for a year to help with fibro and mucle spasms.
Why did your doc prescribe it?
I started out taking 1/2 of a 350mg table. I am pretty sensitve to meds. I am up to 350mgs. now. but it took a while
2 tabs at once would knock me on my kister, among other things
Maybe your doc doesnt understand about titrating (increasing or decreasing meds. sloooowly :)
If you want to try again, start with a 1/4 of pill. take for a week or so. Then half and so on.
Good luck
> My doctor just switched me to Soma. Took two before bed and my husband told me about a SLEEP-WALKING-LIKE state I went into. I don't remember a thing, but he said I was up doing stupid stuff and that he was yelling at me to get me to wake up, but I wouldn't respond. This went on for a couple of hours. It really scared him and me too, after he told me. I called my doctors office and they simply said to stop taking it. No explanation. Does anyone know what happened to me?? Is this a normal reaction or could it be an alergic reaction?? Help!!
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 21, 2003, at 19:44:46
In reply to Re: Soma-Coma!, posted by matthhhh on September 21, 2003, at 8:18:55
> Hey Ame, if you noticed on the website it says that the tryptophan (the only one i could find) is GP Equine...
I'd like follow-ups regarding tryptophan to be redirected to the new Psycho-Babble Alternative board, thanks.
Bob
Posted by Pam-I-Am on September 22, 2003, at 14:58:47
In reply to Re: Soma-Coma! » Pam-I-Am, posted by femlite on September 21, 2003, at 12:49:30
My Rx says one in a.m. and two before bed. I have some severe back problems, but this is mainly for the sciatic nerve. My leg gets so bad at night, I can't sleep. But, I like your suggestion of gradually introducing into my system...if I can get up the courage to try again.
Posted by femlite on September 22, 2003, at 15:25:22
In reply to Re: Soma-Coma!, posted by Pam-I-Am on September 22, 2003, at 14:58:47
Youll be fine at 1/4 or 1/2 a pill. try in AM when you dont have to sleep, try that for a couple of days and see how it affects you. If every thing seems fine Then take 1/4 or 1/2 only at night for a few nights and see how it goes. after a week at say 1/4 of a pill, once a day, am or pm, try both am and pm.
Many docs Ive ran into are not sesitive about titration, slowing increasing or decreasing meds. You can do that for your self if you feel you need to. Its unfortunate he did not give you an explanation.
I sympathise with your pain dilema. I too have had chronic neck, back and leg pain for years.
Maybe Benedryl PM at night and heating pads, will help till you get it sorted out.good luck
> My Rx says one in a.m. and two before bed. I have some severe back problems, but this is mainly for the sciatic nerve. My leg gets so bad at night, I can't sleep. But, I like your suggestion of gradually introducing into my system...if I can get up the courage to try again.
This is the end of the thread.
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