I have daily headaches - have had them for over 30 years. I also suffer from migraines but Immetrix has taken care of those. My doctor just gave me Zanaflex 2mg. I've taken Soma before as muscle relaxant( for back pain) and wonder, before I start taking the Zanaflex, could someone compare the two for me? Thanks
How does 2mg Zanaflex compare to Soma 350mg?
Question posted by brisco on 12 May 2011
Last updated on 6 March 2019 by Gmaof3
I just want to know if there is any difference between taking a soma pill as compared to the zanaflex? Does anyone know? I can tolerate the soma with out any side effect other than a bit sleepy. Will it be the same with the Zanaflex - is the Zanaflex 2mg stronger or weaker than the Soma?
6 Answers
I have taken both. Zanaflex has made me pass out 3 times, actually injuring myself once. I tried only taking at night. It will knock me out for about 2 hours then I'm awake with a hangover like headache. I took soma for years and never had any problems with it. If I'm not busy it may cause a little sleepiness but otherwise it's a great medication. One thing to cause concern with zanaflex is it's potential for liver damage! Especially if you are like me and take other medications. With any meds, be careful and follow prescription directions. I am currently on zanaflex but am going to ask my dr today to resume soma as I feel it works better and is safer.
It just depends really on your body chemistry. I took 2 Soma's and didn't feel a thing..my spasms didn't relax, nothing.. I took 2mg of zanaflex and I was drooling..lol.
Finally got relief after going through every muscle relaxer on the market... now I have friends who have taken the zanaflex and nothing..the Soma works better..so try it..start with the 2mg, you may need as much as 4mg if your spasms are like mine... after a couple of weeks I did have to move to the higher dose but have been fine since.Best of Luck. R.
I have migraine headaches and terrible muscle spasms in my back that take my breath away and my legs hurt to the bone. I’ve been taking the 350mg Soma and they really help. I’ve been given different drugs for my migraines but the Dr just gave me the 4mg Zanaflex but, I haven’t taken any yet so thanks for the info about taking at bedtime. Hope they help because I wake up every couple of hours and headache still there the next day from no sleep either.
I take 350mg of Topamax at night for headaches. I'm also prescribed three 350mg of Soma throughout the day for my degenerative discs in my back.
Once in a while I'll take a 4mg Zanaflex at night.
You'd think I wouldn't have any kind of pain in the world. Some people may be in a coma taking those meds and all of the other ones I have to take for other problems.
I think the Soma maybe better than Zanaflex.
Zanaflex is used mostly with M.S. patients. I have horrible tension headaches from a brain and skull surgery. I have used both in my opinion Soma is much more effective with muscle spasms, and muscle pain
I have taken both and I dont consider Soma a bad drug either. Any drug can not work well for some people but that doesnt mean it is the same for all. Anyway, Zanaflex is comparable to Soma. I think Soma actually relaxed my muscles better and doesnt make me as sleepy as Zanaflex. Zanaflex makes me VERY sleepy and I dont get knocked out by drugs very easily. In fact, when I was in the hospital I was given two Seconals at a time and still didnt sleep and Ambien and Lunesta do nothing for me either. I can only take Zanaflex at bedtime because for about a half an hour it makes me so sleepy I will actually start to dream with my eyes open! It is very short acting though. It only lasts a couple of hours. I do like that I can get to sleep with it and once I am asleep I can usually get a pretty good nights sleep. I always slept well on Soma too but I could take Soma in the day time and not be excessively sleepy. That is my experience with the two but like I said, everyone reacts differently.
Thank you that was helpful. I just filled it and I'll try the Zanaflex tonight. I'm hoping it will help with the everyday headaches. Any relief would be great.
I will only take it a night. Thanks for responding.
It might not make you as sleepy as it does me. I would recommend trying at bedtime though just in case it does. Good Luck! I hope it works well for you!
I took my first dose last night - just one 2mg tablet and it didn't make me sleepy at all. I still woke with a headache but, the doctor said it won't change overnight. It will take time - to be patient. He'll probably increase the dosage in a week or two. So, thanks for the good wishes. I'm giving it a shot. I have nothing to lose but the headache.
Good for you! I'm glad it doesnt make you sleepy. It knocks me silly for about 30 minutes. Once I get past that I do ok but I can fall asleep sitting up during that first 30 min. I really hope it helps the headaches. I used to get really bad migraines but ever since I was put on Atenolol (a beta blocker) for high blood pressure I hardly ever get them. Have you tried propranolol? It is a beta blocker too and is used for headaches. It may be worth a shot in addition to the Zanaflex if you havent tried it.
Wow I have tried all of these named meds. As for SOMA vs. Zanaflex, Ruboxin, the only thing that I have found that gives the best relief was the SOMA. I am with a new Pain Specialist and they are trying everything spite what is in my chart that is said to work . I am very angry with the fact that this lady is taking me through all of this over again. I guess this is her process , So I am going to go with this for just the next visit .
I agree with you about the zannaflex making you sleepy. That is why I like it at bedtime. But I find that different company's make it and sometime I get a brand that does absolutely nothing. I'm not even sure it relaxes me, it really makes me mad, because I have a hard time with sleep and wish all the different company's had same results. Would appreciate any helpful comments. But now from others I have learned that there is another muscle relaxer I can ask my doctor about (soma) that I can at least take it during the day without getting sleepy.
I am bummed that our Dr has taken us off Soma and replacing it with Zanaflex, but the FDA is tightening their belts. I have chronic pain, every disc in my neck and back are GONE, either stenosis, herniated discs, bulging discs. I do Yoga daily which has done a miracle; but I still have spasms and pain. What can I do but try the Zanaflex and pray to God it works as well as Soma has. Blessings and prayers to you all who are also dealing with degenerative disc disease and chronic pain.
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soma, zanaflex, migraine, headache, doctor, muscle
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