Muscle relaxer tolerance - Pain Management Message Board

Toonces1 · 05-19-2008, 05:58 PM

I'm wondering what the experiences have been of those of you who take muscle relaxers for pain. I have been taking Soma 350mg, usually 2 per dayfor about a month, and was taking 1.5 tablets for about two months before that. Cmpgirl has said that she takes holidays from this, as one can develop a tolerance to it. I feel like I am already developing a tolerance to it. How long do holidays last, and how often do you do them? I have enough Skalexin samples for about 20-30 days, but my insurance doesn't cover this med, so I can't take it long-term. Flexeril doesn't work for me, so I don't want to take that. I was thinking I would take the Skalexin for about 4 days and then try to Soma again. Any thoughts or advice?

Executor · 05-19-2008, 06:03 PM

My ENT told me that when you take a 6 month holiday, it basically re-sets the body to zero. But everyone is different though. Any break will help, however.

Ex

ms_west · 05-19-2008, 06:05 PM

I would take the meds for the 20 to 30 days then go back to the soma. Then if it does not work I would call the doctor.

aussiejono · 05-19-2008, 06:07 PM

You will certainly get tolotance/dependence on Soma (it is metabolised to the tranquiliser meprobamate in the body)

You could try swapping to chlorzoxazone for a few days (this is cheap and nonhabitforming) or or even change to it full time.

Depending on what you are taking it for, orphenadrine or cyclobenzaprine might also be useful options.

cmpgirl · 05-19-2008, 09:38 PM

For me, it is generally 6 months on another MR. I usually take flexaril during that time frame, but have taken just about every MR that is made, at one time or another.

The max dose per day, according to manufacturer's prescribing information is 350mg, 3x/day. So you are not at the max dose yet. I have heard of others who's docs have allowed this dose 4x/day, but my doc doesn't agree with that.

Aussiejono....Do you know any other names for the meds you mentioned as a possible substitute? I don't recognize them.

Thanks, CMP/MM