[Penny Lane]

Hi everyone. This is kind of an embarrassing question, but one that I must ask. I have recently started Baclofen and I am wondering if anyone has experienced problems with bed wetting when using this medication? This is not a normal problem for me, but has happened since starting this medication. Has anyone experienced this and if so what did you do about it?

Thank you for your input,
Penny Lane

[AfterMyNap]

Hi Penny, put away the blush, we've all been there. Baclafen is a relaxant and could likely be the culprit. Since it wears off between doses, you could test your theory and know pretty surely.

But, before you experiment with meds, it's a good idea to call your neuro and explain. They know more about this than we do here. Keep the faith, kid, you'll find the right meds for you.

[FlyFishin Momma]

I didnt have that problem when on it but it sure sounds like it could be part of the meds side effects.......Cin is right ....you should ask your DR.....

and dont worry hunny if bed wetting is the worse thing that happens at least your at home in the dark in your own bed....it could be worse, but it is a bad enough sx to make a call to the dr.........good luck!!!!!

[SallyC]

Yep, it sure sounds like you're relaxing a it too much. Maybe a reduction in doseage would help?

Like the others said, there are worse places to have this happen. Like me poohing my britches at a nice restaurant. Thank heavens I was in my scooter and made it to the restroom, before anyone noticed....I hope!

[cricket52]

Hi Penny Lane:

It's not very pleasant to wake up to a wet bed.

My neurogenic bladder causes the opposite problem - retention, so Baclofen helps with that problem.

And as Sally said, having your bowel let go in public isn't pleasant. I've had it happen several times - just when I thought it was safe to come out of the bathroom....

Quality of life issues usually have a solution. Your neuro should be able to help.

[pantos]

Originally Posted by cricket52

Quality of life issues usually have a solution. Your neuro should be able to help.

So do you know any solutions to prevent bowel incontinence then? I haven't ever heard of anything except a bowel maintenance program that may or may not work with sluggish bowels. We can try to regulate our bowel movements, but that doesn't always work the way we'd like.

Penny lane, I know that with baclofen you have to be careful because it not only helps with spasticity, but it could weaken your legs and your legs may "need" that spasticity to actually stand or walk. So you have to be careful your legs don't become too weak while on it. So it does make sense that it could relax the bladder muscles too. Maybe you have a spastic bladder and need that spasticity there to tighten the bladder muscles.

Ain't this disease fun?

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Penny Lane

Hi everyone. This is kind of an embarrassing question, but one that I must ask. I have recently started Baclofen and I am wondering if anyone has experienced problems with bed wetting when using this medication? This is not a normal problem for me, but has happened since starting this medication. Has anyone experienced this and if so what did you do about it?

Thank you for your input,
Penny Lane

Awww Penny,
I get horrid diarrhea from Zanaflex which is also a muscle relaxant quite similar to Baclofen. A reduction in dosage helped my problem. Talk with your physician. There are other drugs that can also help you with bladder incontinence, as well as trying to limit your fluid intake after a certain hour each evening. Please don't ever feel emabarrased about anything here. This is what we're all here for-support!

All the best,
Chris

[cricket52]

Hi Pantos:

Good question. We are all different, and regulating our bowel problems doesn't always work. My problem was constipation, a motility issue.

My PCP was no help, the fibre he prescribed made it worse. The MS clinic had me use weekly enemas, which were problematic to administer and I couldn't retain them long enough to be effective.

My neuro referred me to a gastro who put me on 5 tablespoons of Milk of Magnesia/day (cherry is palatable). It has only been a few months but it is the lesser of three evils - pain and vomiting from a full colon or incontinence from overflow or the odd bout of incontinence because the M of M makes the stool runny. I am taking fibre with it, just haven't found the right balance quite yet and I would rather be incontinent once or twice a month as opposed to many times a day.

You are probably right - there is no solution but I'll be darned if I am going to let my bowel or bladder keep me from getting out once in a while. If I don't take the M of M I don't have a bm the next day, so if I have an appointment or something I need to do I will skip a dose.

I see the gastro again in July for followup. He might have another idea or tweak the current plan, but for now I am grateful for what time I have before it stops working.