Are you sure it is spasticity, Kelly?

Maybe it's just me (never asked others before), but spasticity always hits both sides (arms and/or legs) at the same time for me.

Is it possible you are experiencing sciatica or something else? Have you been checked out by your GP?

Cherie

I'm assuming it's spasticity because I have been having it in my hand as well (right hand that is numb) and the Baclofen helps somewhat...just not enough for me to get comfortable. I guess I could take 30 mg at a time, but it would make me very woozy if I did. Baclofen is one of the drugs on the $4 generic list so that helps since I won't have any insurance after the end of the year.

I take 10 mg two times a day. I am not sure that it really helps. My spasticity is usually all on one side (left) from my rib cage down to my foot. I deal more with stiffness and that heavy feeling than with actual spasms. The spasms come and go.

at the peak of my worst spasticity I was on 30 mg, 3 times a day (total 90 mg per day)

it took me months to taper off that high a dose, but it was the only way to find out if the spasticity had faded (it did fade, eventually).

that was back in 2002, when my right foot, calf, and thigh were going nuts.

since then, I get minor spasticity on both sides, and in my feet and toes, and just recently, it has appeared in my forearms.

my GP (hah! try finding a neuro in Belize!) is attempting to import Baclofen for me, and I'm eagerly awaiting news from his office (for weeks now, sigh!)

be very careful with Baclofen around your kitties, it can be dangerous to them, so if you drop any, make sure you FIND it before they eat it:

http://www.palestineherald.com/cnhi/...yword=topstory

Dosage

Baclofen therapy is usually started with an initial low dose of about 15 mg daily in divided doses and gradually titrated up in a stepwise fashion until symptomatic relief occurs. The usual maximum dose is 80 mg per day.

http://www.answers.com/topic/baclofen

Hi Kelly,

I took 10 mg 4x a day, but I could have used 20 mg in the late afternoon when the symptoms got worse. It really helped me a lot. I took it for about 18 months or so while I was finishing my degree and I had to sit and read and write papers and didn't get up to move around much.

For me it was a Godsend and I hope it works well for you when you get to a dosage level that eases your pain.

I think you make a good point, Wiz. Sometimes it is the lack of stretching, etc. that causes this symptom, and it can let up for months/years when we change our routines.

Also, Kelly, try to notice if it happens once a month, for about a week. I get one bum leg, right where you are talking, at PMS time every month. For me it is sciatica though, and I've had it since the mid-80's (before MS). It used to be the whole leg, but now it is mostly just behind the knee.

Cherie

I take 10 mg 4 times a day and 30 - 40 mg at night before bed. There are days I can take less, but not many anymore.

Call your neuro - it might help you to add something else to the mix. I have found that the Klonipin that they rx'd for the dizziness / eye movement problems helps with the spasticity, too.