I think it is interesting that some of you take baclofen occasionally. My neuro cautioned against doing that.

I've read, too, that you should take it consistently as directed. But I don't need it three times a day. I take it once before bed every night and I guess that's "consistent" enough for my metabolism and all that I need right now. I haven't had any side effects at all. It does help quiet my leg spasms so I can get to sleep.

I'm pondering some of your responses, and thinking my problem could be any or ALL of the things you've mentioned!!

Oh, and I also have been led to believe that it isn't something that can be taken "as needed" like ativan, for example. Hmmm.

O.o really? I never heard that. I wonder if I am doing more harm than good to take one now and again. hmm...

Docs have always said that Liorisel/Baclefin is a med that must build up slowly in your system to work properly. Some peeps are taking very high MGs.

I started (years ago) at 5 mg three times per day and worked up to 30mg three times per day. When my spasticity was pretty much gone, I came down off of it. Afew years later, with another flare, it made me dizzy and sick, so I stopped it and never tried it again.

I don't know if the fact that the first time, I was on Liorisel (the brand name) and the second time on Baclefin (the generic)???

My only bad thing with B is that I didn't start taking it sooner!!

I had it in my head that needing to take it meant that I was in really bad shape. I avoided it for years. I take only 10 mg at night and it has been a miracle.
adding that it has enhanced the benefits of stretching and powerplate exercise.
I was in bad shape and the drug has made it better.

I hope you get relief too.

I think I was at the maximum dosage, but as I said it did not really bother me. It just did not help.

I don't know if you are still trying to take it or not because I just saw this, but I couldn't function without baclofen. I take 80 mg per day. I take 4 of the 10 mg pills spaced out during the day and 4 at night before bed (to prevent the pretzel sleeping position).

My neuro also added gabapentin and clonazepam when the baclofen started to be less effective. I've been at the 80 mg dosage for a long time and am quite used to it. When you take baclofen occasionally, it isn't a problem, but you might notice side effects more than if you take it consistently and allow your body to adjust to it.

I'm not sure if it has to build up or not to be effective, but one thing I noticed is that once I was on it awhile, I found I had more energy because my muscles weren't fighting with each other so much. I was also sleeping better with less spasticity.

It took me a few weeks of titrating up when I first started it to get rid of the side effects. Back then, I was on 30 or 40 mg per day. The only issue with baclofen and quitting it is if you on on 30 or more mg per day consistently for a period of time. Then, you have to slowly titrate back down or risk having a seizure. If you are taking 5 or 10 mg here or there, that isn't an issue to worry about.

I hope you give it a try or if you already did that you had success with it.

I started not this week, but last Monday, with 1/2 dose (5 mg) twice a day. I did that for a week. This Monday I started taking a third 5 mg dose midday. The neuro prescribed starting with 10 mg twice a day for three days, then 10 mg three times, etc.

I was nervous about starting on the full dose so quickly, so re-prescribed myself (yes, I know). I wanted to wait and see if I got drowsy or weak--we've got a couple of appointments that I HAVE to drive to.

It seems to be making a difference at night, not so much during the day. If I had pretzel spasms, I'd be cranking it right up. I'm having muscle tightness, pain, and what many of you would call "mild" spasms. I'm a sissy, so I don't call them mild.