[Blessings2You]

I didn't know whether to start a new thread or not; sorry if I'm duplicating some of it.

This morning I started my first teeny dose of baclofen. WHY am I so TERRIFIED about starting this med?? I've taken oodles of assorted meds in my lifetime, some short- and some long-term, but I've never felt like this. I've taken meds with a lot scarier potential side effects. I wasn't this scared about starting the stupid Copaxone. What's the deal??

I've got myself worked up into such a state that I'm not going to be able to tell what's the baclofen and what's my freaking out about it. Grrrr. I know I'm doing it, and I can't make myself stop.

Last night during the crazy hours, I even caught myself thinking, "Maybe my fear about this med is a sign that I shouldn't take it." A sign? A SIGN? Really???

[Erika]

Right there with you B2Y, as I too had similar reservation...still do as generally I try to stay away from medication. I've been messing with it for the last two or three weeks. Some times take it, some times not, even though I know that is not is how this medication is to be used because there can be withdrawl symptoms. Lately I've only been taking it at night to assist with sleep

Taking it before bed has decreased night spasms and improved the ability to sleep sometimes, but the sleepiniess and fatigue/weakness seems to carry over into the next day which I don't care for. On the other hand, improved sleep has reduced cognitive impairment so that is the upside.

This med seems to have a variety of effects for each individual, so you might try it to see if it helps with your symptoms.

[barb02]

I had absolutely no side effects from it. I was taking 6 pills (60 mg a day). It did not help at all with my spasticity so that is why I stopped it. I should add that very few medications that seem to cause sleepiness in a lot of people affect me.

[Erin524]

What about the baclofen makes you nervous?

I've been taking it for months. I'm working my way down off of it now. (I've been hovering at 1/2 a pill for a few weeks now. Down from the two or three pills that I was taking a day) Since getting down to the 1/2 pill I'm taking now, my spasticity has increased, so I'm trying to do stretching exercises to try to help with that. The exercise might be working...maybe.

[Kitty]

I take one pill before I go to bed. I probably should take it during the day because I've been having some pain in my right hand but just deal with it. I don't want to be sleepy all day. Alleve takes care of whatever pain I have during the day.

I've not noticed any side effects from the Baclofen. It's a pretty common med for folks with MS to take.

I've gotten a mild headache some times but that could be my allergies. Who knows.....

B2Y, try saying a prayer before taking your meds. Ask for peace of mind and calmness. Baclofen might just help you once you take it a few times.

[ANNagain]

Hi Blessings.

I have been on Clonazepam (Klonipin) for decades for movement disorders (3) associated w MS. 6 months ago, an MS Neuro sitting in for mine, told me that Klonipin does nothing- it's just like "water." Hmmmm. And she wrote a script for Baclofen 10 mg TID. I had no idea what to do w it.

Since my muscles are tight at night, I added one 10mg at bedtime and that seems to help. I haven't noticed any side effects from it. Well, perhaps I sleep better.

Best to you today,
ANN

[Blessings2You]

Thanks for all the support.

I still have no idea why I'm fixated on this. Trying to calm down, focus on common sense, pray for some peace, and get over myself.

Maybe I'm just at the tipping point, med-wise. Ya know?

[ANNagain]

Blessings,

Sometimes when someone is "fixated" on something they are really avoiding something else.

Is there an "elephant" in your house?
ANN

[Dejibo]

I took ten MG last night. I wake up a tiny bit hung over, but you get used to it if you are on it long term. I only take one occasionally. it really knocked down the MS hug.

Sometimes its a matter of stubbornness that we just dont want to add one more pill on top of the pharmacy we already take. I am tired of pills, and I want OFF them. I dont want them adding to my list. The kind MD says "look you are sick, you need the meds, so...take your pill please!" UGH! I am supposed to take baclofen everyday, but so far I only take it occasionally.

[Debbie D]

B2Y, I took it for a while but discontinued..like Barb it didn't help the spasticity one lick. I was taking gobs of zanaflex but was taken off last month to see if it affected heart stuff and blood pressure, as well as sleepiness.

Maybe your fear about it is kind of what I get...it's a kink in my logical thinking process that makes me hyperfocus and obsess...do you think that might be it, or are you just burned out with the amount of meds?

Anyway, hugs as you work through this latest challenge...