Aa
22 days post ALIF spinal fusion
I have asked to be removed from all pain medications as they were not helping at all and did not want to just keep increasing dosage. So my PM Dr. suggested i try Ativan or Diazepam before bed and also a muscle relaxer called Baclofen for spasms during the day (which i had been on in 2013) it did not work, but he insists on trying it over the Soma 350mg i had been on before the surgery.... any input ,suggestions and or expierences as to what worked for you would be appreciated. thank you
Hi Ijaa,
Welcome. Please excuse my tardy reply. You are very welcome here and your questions and concerns are important to us.
I don't know if you have pain that will respond to Lyrica or Gabapentin. I didn't find Gabapentin very effective but agree to try Lyrica two years ago. It has helped reduce my pain - but not to the extent that I can be completely without opiates. You may want to consider it.
What does your PMP propose for a NSAID?
About ten years ago my PMP prescribed most every muscle relaxer on the market. They all gave me a hangover feeling and most brought little relief. My PMP felt strongly that my pain was exacerbated by extreme muscle spasms. She suggested I try Diazepam. I argued her suggestion for several months until she became insistent. You guessed it - much to my surprise it greatly helped me. I take one or two a month - as little as possible and much less than ordered. Benzos cause me concern - but there are moments I cannot tolerate the pain without them. I encourage you to try to Diazepam again.
Why one practitioner prefers one drug over another is interesting. What's his rationale for not prescribing Soma (Carisoprodol) again? If it was effective I would think it would be the preferred RX. However it may be due to the fact that in January of 2012 the DEA changed it to a Schedule IV drug. Baclofen, to my knowledge is not a Scheduled Drug - thought the DEA may be working on that. That may explain your PMP preference.
Some of the literature I've read seems to indicates that Baclofen may be more effective in treating spinal pain than Soma. Obviously both are centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxants. I believe it's what works best for you specifically!
I admire your strength and determination to discontinue all opiates. I wish you the very best. I know many of us could not function with the pain that no opiate therapy would bring us. I would never get out of bed. I hope you'll find the right combination of medications to control your pain and allow you to function well.
Please keep in touch. I hope something I have said has been helpful. I'll watch for your updates or comments.
Take Care,
~Tuck
Welcome. Please excuse my tardy reply. You are very welcome here and your questions and concerns are important to us.
I don't know if you have pain that will respond to Lyrica or Gabapentin. I didn't find Gabapentin very effective but agree to try Lyrica two years ago. It has helped reduce my pain - but not to the extent that I can be completely without opiates. You may want to consider it.
What does your PMP propose for a NSAID?
About ten years ago my PMP prescribed most every muscle relaxer on the market. They all gave me a hangover feeling and most brought little relief. My PMP felt strongly that my pain was exacerbated by extreme muscle spasms. She suggested I try Diazepam. I argued her suggestion for several months until she became insistent. You guessed it - much to my surprise it greatly helped me. I take one or two a month - as little as possible and much less than ordered. Benzos cause me concern - but there are moments I cannot tolerate the pain without them. I encourage you to try to Diazepam again.
Why one practitioner prefers one drug over another is interesting. What's his rationale for not prescribing Soma (Carisoprodol) again? If it was effective I would think it would be the preferred RX. However it may be due to the fact that in January of 2012 the DEA changed it to a Schedule IV drug. Baclofen, to my knowledge is not a Scheduled Drug - thought the DEA may be working on that. That may explain your PMP preference.
Some of the literature I've read seems to indicates that Baclofen may be more effective in treating spinal pain than Soma. Obviously both are centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxants. I believe it's what works best for you specifically!
I admire your strength and determination to discontinue all opiates. I wish you the very best. I know many of us could not function with the pain that no opiate therapy would bring us. I would never get out of bed. I hope you'll find the right combination of medications to control your pain and allow you to function well.
Please keep in touch. I hope something I have said has been helpful. I'll watch for your updates or comments.
Take Care,
~Tuck
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