Baclofen Questions - Quick!

[Citlalli]

Almost a month on Baclo and it's saved my skin.
But still having a lot of cramps and pain that disrupt my sleep at night and wondering if anyone has found relief by'upping the dose.

I'm also constantly wondering if the pain and tightness I feel could be caused by the Baclo...

Is this medication addictive? I am desperate to walk better, but willing to try the tradeoof if an increased dose (current is 30 mg 3 x day_.

I've heard this drug can increase weakness, but if that happens it would still be better than doing othing.

[Scooter24]

It's strange that you bring this up, I ran out last week and went for 5 days without mine while waiting for VA to get me my refill, the second day I noticed a improvement in my balance, by the time it got here, I was feeling better and have noticed little difference in legs cramps and possibly a slight improvement while sleeping and that is why I was taking it, I was on 10mg a day, going to stay off it and talk to nuero in dec when I see him again. As you are on a bigger dose than I am I would suggest that you contact the dr as I have read you aren't supposed to just stop taking it, more of a taper off it.

You mention wanting to walk better have you looked into ampyra "the walking pill" ? it has made a big difference for me and by making it easier to walk it has helped with the fatique some.

[inmoni5]

I think you are on a pretty high dose of Baclofen already. I don't know if it is addictive.....I would think so. You definately don't want to stop taking it "cold turkey" as there are pretty bad issues with that. ALWAYS check with your doc before you up the dose as you are on a pretty high dose.

I take LDN (low-dose naltrexone) and Baclofen and that seems to help immensely. I still get pain and tightness but it's definately not near as bad as it was before the LDN.

[rdmc]

Well my only warning is call your neuro about upping or downing the dose. It's one of those drugs that you don't want to mess with in tweaking the dose on your own.

That being said, I think you're over the max recommended dose at this point (I believe it's 80 mg.) However,we have posters who've taken larger doses. Some neuros add Zanaflex to the mix.

Some of us who benefit from Baclofen but for one reason or another have issues with the oral (either can't get enough mgs to relieve symptoms, or drowsiness factor too much on large doses) have Baclofen pumps.

It delivers 1/1000 of the dose, directly to the spinal cord. There are no side effects from the med, but it is surgery and has it's own set of possible problems. My pump alleviated my pain and stiffness better than the oral meds ever did. I still have spasticity if I do more than I normally would do (because my pump is set to deliver the meds needed for relief in my normal activity mode.) But I do have oral meds for breakthrough spasticity.

And just to reiterate, don't mess with the dose on Baclofen unless you have an okay from your doctor...withdrawal, and overdose both carry serious implications.

[maev]

I take baclofen and ampyra. I have no side affects and I don't believe it's adictive. I only take the baclofen when I have spasms in my leg. I can take up to 80 mg a day, if the spasms are bad. My neuro said that is not a high dose at all. Most people take around 340 mg. The ampyra helps with the walking but I need more than a pill to cure my problems.

[StillOkay]

Most people take around 340 mg.

I have no way of knowing what most people take, but the recommended daily dose is 80 mg. I wouldn't go over that without my neuro's approval.

[Citlalli]

Thank you all. I misstated my current dose--it's a total of 30 mg. a day, not 3 x a day. Saw my doctor today and she said I could try raising the dose a bit, by 5 mg. and/or (because I have to work all day and can't be in a fog) maybe add extra at night first and see if it helps calm the night spasms.. so will try tonight.

She also prescribed Tramadol (sp?) for pain, but I'm not eager.

And yes, I would like to add LDN, which I used to take, but my doc doesn't know what it is and so doesn't want to write the script. I'm on Medicaid, and it's hard to find knowledgable docs--this one is lovely, just young & inexperienced.

I learn so much more from this site than from any medical professionals--no, I take that back: my PT is amazing. He's the one who's made me understand how little I can do and how much I have to do it! A lot of stretching.

[inmoni5]

[QUOTE=Citlalli;1326492]

She also prescribed Tramadol (sp?) for pain, but I'm not eager.

And yes, I would like to add LDN, which I used to take, but my doc doesn't know what it is and so doesn't want to write the script. I'm on Medicaid, and it's hard to find knowledgable docs--this one is lovely, just young & inexperienced.

QUOTE]

My doc gave me Tramadol 50mg. as needed I've only taken 1 along with my 60mg/day Baclofen and it did NOTHING. Of course that's just me for some people I'm sure it works. Tramadol is just another form of muscle relaxer it's the old "Ultrum" (sp?) It can be habit forming as it's a "form" of synthetic opiate derivative.

As for LDN and your young doc....I think maybe you need to educate him/her?? My doc didn't know anything about LDN either...I took in a packet of info and he called a few collegues the next day I had a script for it.

Remember you are your best advocate.

[there]

You need to up and down the dose slowly even though it is not addicting as such.

There can be many types of cramps. It is not always ms spasms. Baclofen did not help me at all which indicated my spasms were not strictly MS spasms but turned out to be more like restless leg syndrome spasms that are treated using drugs like mirapex, ropinerole and horizant, Ultram hydrocodone etc are also used.

[hope32]

I hope you're able to get some symptom relief!
I've been on Baclofen (10 mg, up to 3x/day) for about a month now. It's helped my neck and shoulder issues but not my feet. However, it came up that I have some issues with my BP dropping and the NP said Baclofen can make that worse so she won't increase my dose; she suggested PT for my feet instead.