I've never had worse pain in my life than the muscle spasms of my inner thighs. Not childbirth, not migraines, not surgery. I was scared to go to sleep. The quinine was working, but then they outlawed it. I'm taking baclofen now, and haven't had one of those bad spasms for quite a while, thank God.

they outlawed quinine? When did that happen?

I know that there's quinine in tonic water. We had a contractor once that worked on something at our house, and one of the things he asked for when we hired him, was to have some tonic water available for him. Apparently he'd gotten malaria somewhere (he might have been a Vietnam vet) and he drank the tonic water to help the symptoms of that, if I remember right, the symptoms of the malaria could be triggered by hot temperatures. Kind of like MS symptoms being triggered by increased temperatures.

Erika, high amounts of baclofen can cause headaches? I've had a monster headache all day. Wonder if it's from the increased dosage…I hate headaches almost as much as spasticity..

It gave me headaches too. The main reason I quit it.

Is that why my head hurts?? I take 3 baclofen a night. Don't use it during the day. I like to be awake during the day.

Why does the pharmacy run out of the meds I need? Why do I continue to use that pharmacy? Today I need to call around to get my Vyvanse refill on my lunch so I'll have it tomorrow. It will be perfect if Target has it because they are next to my work location. If so, they will be my new pharmacy I guess and hope they'll be able to stock it or have 30 pills when I need a refill.

Yeah, sometimes it gives me a headache, but more dizziness and weakness if I take a high dose...or should I say a high enough dose to knock out some of the severe spasms that get going in the legs. Its a trade off...and I'd rather have the dizziness and weakness.

I woke up with this stupid headache though, so it wasn't likely the Baclofen. I've been alternating between laying with my head and neck propped up, stretching my legs and neck, and sitting outside in the icy cold air (that helps relieve the headache the best), for most of the day.
I don't have a fever, but my brain and eyes feel hot from the inside... KWIM?

With love, Erika

I had a bit of a break from some of the spasticity for the past couple of days, which I'm sure isn't going to last.

I had a dose pack of oral prednisone (methylprednisilone 4mg...about 6 days worth) Ironically enough, not for the MS, but for a shoulder injury. I think I tore my rotator cuff about a month ago. Pain had been steadily getting worse. To the point that I couldn't do anything at all because it hurt so bad. I can't take narcotics because they make me throw up. So they gave me the oral pred.

It helped the shoulder pain more than anything MSish. I have two doses left. One pill tonight, and another one tomorrow and then I'm done. The shoulder pain is already starting to come back. Just waiting for the MS symptoms to start acting like they're mad too.

I think I'll be upping the baclofen in the next couple of days. Not really thrilled with that idea. I hate spasticity.

My only whine lately is that my legs are so cold.

Erin, you sound so incredibly depressed. It seems that for years you have been struggling with both physical and psychological obstacles. I know I and many others have suggested counseling/therapy/support for you on this and other boards and hopefully someday you will be able/willing to act on some of the suggestions that will improve your quality of life.

note that this comes from a place of truly pure and good intentions.
Wishing good things for you Erin.