[Penny Lane]

My neurologist has recently recommended I try using Baclofen 10 mg for spasticity. I will be using 1/2 a tablet 3X a day. I have been a little hesitant about using the drug because of some of the side effects from it. Plus, I know it can be hard on the liver.
What type of experiences has anyone else had with this medication. I tend to need a little spasticity to help me walk. My concern is that it will weaken me to much where it will make it hard to do stairs, etc. Is this a medication I should consider using. Or is their another that I should ask about that might be better?
I appreciate any help with this that may help ease my mind.
Thanks,
Penny Lane

[cricket52]

Hi Penny Lane:

Baclofen gave me back a quality of life I thought I would never have again.

It does not work for everyone, but for many who have spasticity it is an effective drug.

You are starting on a small dose - 15 mg. You may be titrated up, since you can take up to 80 mg/day.

It's hard not to overdo it when you feel good. Baclofen, when it works, tends to make the pain go away for a while and it's easy to think you are 'better'.

I started on 15 mg. and now, a year later take 60 mg/day. It makes me sleepy and I have days when I have to nap, but it is wonderful to be able to get out and about.

No liver problems yet, no side effects other than drowsiness which was worse during the first month and for a week or so when I increase the dose.

You will notice when it starts to wear off. I usually look forward to taking my morning dose. It takes about an hour and a bit to start working, then I can be heck on wheels. I still use my cane and weakness is only an occasional problem.

Good luck - let us know how it works for you.

[AfterMyNap]

It worked wonders for me, PL, for several years. One day, my legs started getting weaker and I went off it. I switched to Zanaflex which has also worked well for me.

Sadly, the weakness in the legs may have been singularly due to progression, but I stayed on the Z just the same.

[yeahbut]

I feel Baclofen is one of the major things that gets me through the day. I started on 10mg twice a day and now I take 20 mg 3 times a day and another 10 at night if I feel I need it. I will never forget the day I forgot to take a dose with me to work, I was such a mess just missing that one dose. I now have a bottle with me at all times of all my meds, just in case! I have had no side effects.

[0357]

I'm fortunate because it does not cause weakness or tiredness for me. I started out at 30mg in 10mg tablets 3 times a day.

Since I don't want a Baclofen Pump yet I'm taking 160mg daily; worked up to this dosage slowly.

Hope you benefit from it...Take care.

[Snoopy]

I have used Baclofen three different times and have really liked how it works.

If I use it now I cannot take it during the day. Even at the dose your using my legs are jello using it but I found I can use it at night before I go to bed and in the morning my legs are not as stiff and I don't have the rubbery/jello feeling.

[Penny Lane]

Thank you to everyone that has been replying to my post. I haven't made a decision yet. But everyone's posts are helping me get there. It looks like most have had a fairly good reaction to the Baclofen. I think I'm leaning more toward trying it out. I would still love to hear other experiences with it if anyone has one.

Thanks, Penny Lane

[AfterMyNap]

Do try it, Penny, it's a wonderful medication and typically easy for most to tolerate. Remember that no med is permanent, if you and your doctor decide it's not right for you, there are alternatives like Zanaflex and others.

The main thing is to control the painful spasms and give you back some of your life. It really doesn't matter which med turns out to be the right one, just find it to help you keep your life.

[SallyC]

I took it during and, for awhile, after my BIG exacerbation in 1993, and it did wonders for the spasticity. I tried it again during a later exacerbation and it just made me sick and sleepy.

I don't know if the fact that the first time I took it, I took Liorisel(sp) and the 2nd time I took the generic Baclofen, had anything to do with the different responses or not.

Anyway, I think it's sure worth a try, because, when it works, it works very well, for most people.

Good Luck, Penny Lane.