[quote]Originally posted by BettyJ:
I am also anxious to hear anything about Soma....I also take ambien..but with my ins plan I pay 35 for 30 pills...I take a 10 mg and usually can break it in half...ambien is really the only thing that relaxes the muscle in my buttocks...

I complained to the pharmacy about the cost of ambien, and was told to possibly look into getting my dr to prescribe something cheaper ...but my concern would obviously be whether anything else would work as well as ambien....I got the impression from the pharmacists that soma was a sleep aid, ... is it used for muscle and sleep??

and, as far as cost comparison...has anyone had any experience with ambien and soma to know which is usually cheaper....ambien is considered a first tier drug.....and does not have a generic....does soma?? what tier is this drug on ..anyone know??

as for addiction....I believe that anything that gives relief to a pain problem has the potential to become addictive.....if chocolate bars relieved pain, no doubt, I would be eating them....I think that is how our brains work in relation to pain....but the withdrawel symptoms are what worries me....I take ultram for pain...have taken it now for several years...and look forward to the day when I take none...but I am sure there will be some symptoms to overcome.....

Hi, and yes there is a generic for soma... it is called CARISOPRODOL, I take the 350mg, but i only take it when needed, ive been taking this for several years, i haven't become addictied to it cause i only take it now and then, hope this helps...takecare
Michaela

Hi.

I have been taking Soma for a few months now, my doctor has me on 2-3 x daily (90 pills a month). I used to take Skelaxin but that didn't help much. Initially the Soma would make me sleepy but now that my body had adjusted to the medication, it rarely happens. I can drive and function fine, as if I am on nothing, yet it helps "A Little Bit" It does relieve tension but not all of it, I guess I have a high tolerance to meds for some reason, plus my pain levels are really high lately, like a 7-8.

I take it with 1-2 Vicodin 5mg and it helps, but not really what I would like to see. I am trying to get my Dr. to switch me to a better pain med. He tried me on Ultracet which was a joke!

So now I take..

Celebrex 200mg 1 x daily
Vicodin 5/500 2-3 x daily
Soma 350mg 2-3 x daily
Trazodone 50mg 2 x daily at bedtime

I have a decent insurance even though it's an HMO. For example the Soma which I get in generic form cost me $10 for 90 pills.


I pulled this from a Soma source.

Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant. It works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain.

Carisoprodol is used, along with rest and physical therapy, to treat injuries and other painful muscular conditions.


Hope this helps..
Hottrodd

[This message has been edited by hottrodd (edited 07-29-2003).]