Baclofen vs Soma ??
 

Geeeze… I have been a mess for almost a month now with SO MANY SYMPTOMS GOING ON . lol… okay longer than that but all things RSD have been attacking me like crazy for several weeks now.

So my lower back is a problem and a discectomy at L5 S1 back in 2004brought the RSD on. I now have a couple more discs involved that are bulging.

Anywho, a week or so ago I went to see the doc about a massive back spasm that I couldn’t get under control and was out of the proper meds. I have spasms elsewhere too, like my legs, and I tremor like crazy without proper doses of gabapentin, and sometimes tremors even with meds depending on the circumstances. The doc and I discussed options and for whatever reason they seem to not want to give me what I already know works, which is Soma. I compromise and settle on Baclofen. I had heard many good things about this drug and thought ok. So it did help in some regard in that my back started to feel somewhat better, but I had the strangest experience on this drug and wondered if anyone else has too.

After I took it (Baclofen), I started to feel the way you feel just before anyone can see the tremors. It’s like a vibration or restless leg syndrome, BUT all over my body! Needless to say, I ditched that drug and I am back on Soma, praise God. I don’t need the Soma every day, but when I need it, be it for my legs, or my back, I really need it.

Thanks in advance for any responses. If I owed you a response before now on some other post / thread, I apologize, but goodness, the RSD has not been kind at all lately and times of even feeling well enough to respond have been few. :(

Sorry to hear your not doing so well. My personal opinion is for you to stick with what you know works. I like soma myself also. It is an older medication and not as commonly used. But it works. I would definetly speak up if the baclofen doesn't end up working for you.

Hope you feel better soon.

I can't get my insurance to ok my script for soma.... :(

My doctor wants me to take it 3 times a day.... my insurance is saying no.

My pain is screaming for any kind of relief.

so sorry to hear this hon. I will never understand why or how insurance dictates all... makes no sense at all! I sure hope you get some kind of relief soon!

I've wanted to try Soma for my muscle spasms for years - no doc will prescribe it to me. Yet, they give me lots of baclofen. (shrugs shoulders)

I'm on a baclofen pump for Dystonia and spacticity. Friday, my Doctor added Tizanidine to my regimen. We've also been trying Botox injections (with some limited success). I hope something works soon. My cramping, twitching and twisting have been awful. Doctor seems to think that winter may be exacerbating my symptoms in that regard.

I had't heard of Soma. Something else for me to check out.

Hope you will find some relief soon.

Soma
 

Hi. I have reason to believe that Soma may be a very bad actor, especially in the addiction department. That, and it is - IMHO - nothing sort of scandalous that the FDA accepted only two 2-week long studies in 2007, as complete Phase III testing before the drug was approved for release: hardly enough time in which to establish its addictive potential.

Now, of course. it's showing up on the short-lists of physicians practicing in addiction medicine.

For details and references, please see my post of 12-02-12 [#13] in the Muscle relaxers? thread. Thanks.

Mike

Yes soma has a high addiction/depedance rate, however im also on sevral big narcotics to manage my pain. So i am not worried about addiction as long as I keep taking my meds as prescribed. I have tried many muscle relaxants and my surgoen put me on soma and thats what ended up working the best. As for depedance on these meds, yeah thats gonna happen with most paitents that are on these meds long term. If there comes to a day when I can finally actually have real pain relief then i will gladly check into a rehab center and get off these meds.