January 2015 my pain mgmt doc said he can no longer prescribe Soma in Texas. Why? It's the only thing that works!
Soma Compound - Why is Soma no longer available in Texas?
Question posted by TraceyAnnWilliams on 16 Jan 2015
Last updated on 28 April 2018
7 Answers
Mackintosh
20 June 2015
Most PCP/PM doctors I have been to will not or will no longer prescribe Soma.
My PM doctor, who had previously prescribed me Soma 350mg, up to 3 times a day for months told me during an appointment last year (?) that I must have been mistaken about him prescribing the Soma, & that perhaps I had him confused with another doctor and so on. When I told him I was certain it was him, that I had not confused him with anyone else (and of course he has all of my past records and appt notes etc. in his system), he did not even take a look at any of those said records. Instead, he continued to "pooh-pooh" me and went over other muscle relaxants he prescribes (all of which I had previously tried from my former PCP & yet nothing worked as well as Soma for me) as alternatives. I was astounded!
At my next appt., I brought an older rx bottle of Soma (from Target Pharmacy) which not only had several Soma pills left over but was clearly labeled as being my RX and clearly labeled with his name as the Prescribing Physician! After seeing this, he actually agreed to give me one more (reduced) Soma prescription. He rx'ed me the 250 mg. Strength pill instead and only about 15-20 pills to help until I decided which other muscle relaxer I would be willing to switch to. I looked up many of their various effects and decided to try Tizanidine HCL. It is also used off label as a potential Migraine relieving medication as well, which helped make my decision much easier since I have Chronic Migraine.
I am happily surprised to report it has helped my Pain a lot, and I am still on a relatively small dose of it after a year +!
:)
NURSESCI2003
28 April 2018
As a health care professional and a spinal cord injury patients once myself I can understand your frustration. Both PCP and pain management doctors are just getting away from the practice of prescribing SOMA. There have been multiple studies done that the combination on ANY opiate and SOMA, is the exact feel you get when taking Heroin. And they just don’t want to take that risk anymore at all. I know it sounds crazy and I was mad at first too. Because Soma is the ONLY Muscle Relaxant that I can be on for dibilitating muscle spasms in my lower back, That doesn’t put me to sleep. I was just recently told I had to switch. I took a Flexeril around 8:00 PM and found myself literally falling asleep standing up thus causing me to fall. I don’t know I really believe there are patients that cannot take any other muscle relaxer. But you’ve got a look at the combination of meds you are on first.
I have plenty of witnesses coworkers that can testify that I am absolutely fine hundred percent coherent on the Soma. It’s a no-win situation in my eyes in my book. And a sad situation for patients I know. Have you tried having BOTOX injections to your lower back or wherever your spasms are the worst? I wish you the best of luck.
Nattjenta
20 June 2015
Soma Compound has been around a long time. They've learned a lot about it over the years. This comes from Drugs.com's own website regarding Soma Compound:
"Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Soma Compound. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
Benzodiazepines (eg, alprazolam), opioid (narcotic) pain medicines (eg, hydrocodone), sodium oxybate (GHB), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because the risk of severe drowsiness may be increased
Anagrelide, anticoagulants (eg, heparin, warfarin), apixaban, clopidogrel, dabigatran, desirudin, NSAIDs (eg, celecoxib, ibuprofen, ketorolac, naproxen), rivaroxaban, or selective serotonin reuptake blockers (eg, fluoxetine, venlafaxine) because the risk of bleeding (eg, stomach or bowel bleeding) may be increased
Influenza or varicella vaccines because the risk of Reye syndrome may be increased
Fluvoxamine, meprobamate, omeprazole, or urinary acidifiers (eg, ammonium chloride) because they may increase the risk of Soma Compound's side effects
Antacids, corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), rifampin, St. John's wort, or urinary alkalinizers (eg, sodium bicarbonate) because they may decrease Soma Compound's effectiveness
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (eg, acetazolamide), insulin, methotrexate, nateglinide, repaglinide, sulfonylureas (eg, glipizide), or valproic acid because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Soma Compound
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, lisinopril), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) (eg, losartan), beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), probenecid, spironolactone, or sulfinpyrazone because their effectiveness may be decreased by Soma Compound"
lrussell67
20 June 2015
yeah I know for a fact it is not illegal to prescribe soma in Texas because to this day my doctor still prescribes it to me for my severe muscle spasms in my lower back. as the other comment stated it's not illegal for him to prescribe it he just probably chooses not to. And he probably should be honest and tell you that instead of giving false information. if in fact it happens to be a pharmacy choice or policy I have been getting mine filled at HEB for all these years and not had a problem with them at all.
lrussell67
28 June 2015
Also keep in mind a fairly new muscle relaxed-at least new to me-is one called Zanaflex. Suppose to be comparable to Soma. Just not quite so ha it forming PLUS a whole lot cheaper.
TraceyAnnWilliams
28 June 2015
I didn't say that it was illegal for a Soma script. I said that my pain management doctor is no longer able to write prescriptions for that medicine as of 01/01/2015. The medication itself is still available. My doctor went on to explain that people that are on Soma for long periods "could" have a reaction. It's been discovered that when soma breaks down in your system that it makes a different compounds that could be fatal in some cases. To read the full explation you can Google to read a full article. My doctor can still write a short script (10-15 days). He just cannot write it for long periods. Like, for the whole 30 days, month after month. I had been taking Soma for almost 2 years when he had to stop the medication. It isn't just for me. I've asked around and everyone in my city is being told the same thing. Where you live, consider yourself lucky. My doctor said that this will be for all 50 states by the end of 2015.
I have tried all the other muscle relaxers. Including, Zanaflex (Tisadine). Unfortunately, because I also have epilepsy there are muscle relaxants that I cannot take because they can induce seizures. Soma was the one muscle relaxer that my body could tolerate, with the epilepsy, and not have any side effects and still help my comfort level.
embed bug an
3 Oct 2016
I live n Texas n I have never had a problem from my Dr. Or my pharmacist. So those who say by the end of 2015 it will be illegal, I'm not sure where u got ur info but its almost 2017. I personally think it is at the Drs. discretion on whether or not they want to write soma. Because it's it's about a big pain n the a$$ as writing bn Norco... Good luck to all !
lalaoops
26 April 2015
I'm in Arkansas and my new pain management doctor was wanting to put me on baclofen.. But my primary care physician is prescribing soma to me, the pain management doctor said it will not mess with our pain contract if I want to keep getting the somas from my PCP that is fine..I think they put some any restrictions on p.m. doctors that they can only prescribe so many narcotic drugs to one person at one time I think it's 2 or 3 karma I had a pm doctor tell me one time they couldn't because it was called a cocktail after 2 or 3 strap period pain my pcp is continuing to write my scripts because it's the only thing that I found this helps with my constant headaches, and I've got to do today ask spares bulging narrowing arthritis fibromyalgia along with several other things..maybe you should ask your PCP and PM doctor to make sure it wouldn't mess with the contract and your PCP could write it for you like they are me..
I hope this helps best of luck to you ..by the way I was raised in Galveston and I still love my texts, but from what I'm hearing kind of glad I don't live there anymore cuz my summers are the only thing that helps with my headaches, much love much luck
Inactive
16 Jan 2015
Have you tried calling several pharmacys to see if they still have it for sale? Soma like the other muscle relaxers are habit forming, but unlike the other muscle relaxers soma isn't a true muscle relaxer, it's more like a sedative is why it works best and why the DEA is trying to do away with it as it can be very dangerous if too much is taken especially if taken with OxyContin as the OxyContin potentiates the soma. If the other pharmacy's have it in stock for sale you may need to find a new pain management Dr to give you scripts for it. I wish you the best of luck.
balbanese
16 Jan 2015
It's got nothing to do with Texas and everything to do with abuse. It's been added to the no no list along with many pain medications. The black market and street trade are taking their toll on legit patients, and it's only going to get worse.
kaismama
16 Jan 2015
I don't know what texas did but the DEA made it a controlled drug. This does not mean he can't prescribe it, and he may be afraid to, because of the government shenanigans with docs who prescribe controlled drugs.
TraceyAnnWilliams
16 Jan 2015
Thank you. He is a pain management doctor and told me no. Even though we've been through all the other muscle relaxers together. I tried resubmitting it through my pharmacy (Walgreens). WG took away all my previous refills under the refill tab. WG did the same thing to another friend who also takes Soma. No other muscle relaxers work. I take Oxycontin (60mg) 3 times a day and Hydrocodone (10/325mg) 2 pills 4 times a day for pain. But, only Soma helps the muscle spasms. Any suggestions?
Related topics
soma, soma compound, muscle spasm, pain, muscle pain, nocturnal leg cramps, prescription, compound
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