Alternative Treatment to Soma (carisoprodol), Marijuana; Marijuana Evaluations in Orange County and Long Beach
May 29, 20102 CommentsDisease Treatment
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As medical director of Medical Cannabis of Southern California I often evaluate patients who are taking Soma (carisoprodol) for muscle spasms. Typically they are frustrated because it not only is ineffective (for many patients) but they worry about being addicted and being on it for prolonged periods of time. Cannabis is a great alternative to Soma for patients who have muscle spasms.
Soma is a medication that works as a muscle relaxant by depressing the central nervous system which in turn relaxes the muscle tone in the body. The exact mechanism of action is unknown. The problem with this medication is that it should only be used for 2-3 WEEKS at a time because it has a high addiction potential and patients also develop tolerance to it. It can also cause significant drowsiness which makes it difficult for patients to complete meaningful tasks.
For patients who suffer from chronic pain taking Soma regularly is not (or should not) be an option. I have had many cases where patients can get a much better response from using cannabis in small doses without the worry of addiction or unwanted side effects. Cannabis also helps them sleep better which greatly improves the quality of their life.
The research is pretty clear that cannabis reduces muscle spasms from all disease processes. Everything from Multiple Sclerosis to acute muscle strains can be treated with cannabis. It works by binding to receptors on the nerves that control the individual muscles and provide an overall relaxation. It has NO potential for addiction and is extremely safe. It is not toxic to any of the major organ systems and can be inhaled smoke free using a vaporizer. Its effects will last 3-6 hours depending on your metabolism.
If you live by one of my two offices (Irvine and Long Beach) and would like to see if you qualify for a medical marijuana card feel free to contact our office at 877-721-0047 or visit us online at www.mcsocal.com and pre-qualify for free.
Have a great day. Feel better.
Dr. Breen
Hello. I have sustained insomnia which results from sleep onset problems related to muscular discomfort, restlessness and tingling when I try to go to bed. This occurs in the shoulder to neck area, legs and arms. I cannot sleep all night and finally fall asleep with exhaustion for a few hours after daybreak. I have had an employment-related depression/anxiety and PTSD diagnosis for which I have been prescribed Zoloft (100mg a day) and as-needed use of Ambien (which in the only effective medicine but I use it only occasionally and it has become less effective over time) and Xanax. I also have successfully used Lisinopril 10 mg a day to control borderline HT for over 10 years and I take Lipitor and Baby Aspirin for high cholesterol (under good control). I am a 54 year old married family man and a professional with a graduate degree, who does not smoke or drink alcohol. Do you have any suggestions for me?
Thanks for the post. There are few things missing from the equation as far as being able to give you any recommendations. The first is diet. Without nailing the nutrition it is difficult to treat anything effectively. However, assuming your diet is clean I think trying a course of cannabis to get you sleeping is something I can discuss with you. You do not have to smoke it and can use a vaporizer which is much healthier. Once you are sleeping 8 hours per night a lot of your symptoms are going to improve. If you are in the area you can come in and would be happy to take care of you.