Hello,
Does taking low-dose baclofen aid in slowing down the progression of spasticity in neurodegenerative disorders? In other words, currently - my spasticity isn't that bad, but since my mother's and aunt's is extremely bad - my thinking is that I should take Baclofen as a preventative, to slow down progression...

Thoughts?

Thanks.

I was put on this same med. It make me wonder the same thing that you are questioning. No one will give me any information about that question. I don't like that. Even the pharmacist didn't. Unusualy for the pharmacist.

To the best of my knowledge, baclofen is for symptomatic relief only. Baclofen is a difficult drug...hard to tolerate and hard to discontinue later. If you decide to go off, you must taper carefully.

If someone is low in dietary magnesium you can replace that deficiency and improve muscle functions. It is estimated that 70% of US residents are low in magnesium because of our poor diet. 3 ounces of unsalted almonds have 270mg. You can start there or read my thread on magnesium. Notice that magnesium OXIDE has been found to be useless except for laxative effect. This is because it is not appreciably absorbed, and it is found in many products because it is so inexpensive. Don't use Oxide form expecting muscular improvements.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread1138.html

I have severe spasms in my back, because of fibromyalgia, advanced osteo-arthritis, deformity of joints in neck region. Baclofen relieved nearly 80 percent of all my spasms; I no longer draw to one side; my head no longer rests on one shoulder or another. While I may feel a pull in the lumbar regions, it isn't enough to cause me to visit the physical therapist or to seek injections to remove the cramping.

I endorse Baclofen.