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

Mine's behind the knee, too....but it's pretty much all the time and it wasn't around pre-MS. If I stoop down to look under the bed or pick something up it really hurts trying to get back up. The baclofen helps so I'm assuming it's spasticity. I have it in my right hand, too, and sometimes my left hand but not as often. Seems everything happens on the right side for me.

I was taking 10 mg in the a.m. and 20 mg before I went to bed. The neuro said that I should adjust the timing of the dose so that it helped the most when I needed it most. My bad time was in the a.m., so that's why the night time dose was higher.

I, too, tried to wean off it to find out if the spasticity was still there and had a horrible time with spasms. I finally was able to get off it and ended up only with bad tightness in both of my calves--it doesn't go away with stretching either.

It's worse on my right side. But when my back spasmed, man everything was crazy. My reflexes were all nuts. I've NEVER seen anything like it before. The doc was lucky I didn't kick him in the by accident!

Hope you get some relief soon.

Wow, people take a high dose of baclofen! I was watching a video yesterday that scared me about it...that it can damage your liver.
I just got a new script for 5 mg in morning and afternoon and 10 mg at night...but it's not helping...as the day wears on, the spasticity gets worse.
I do notice that stretching my legs and back helps...I have exercises for all of the tight parts of my body...so that's part of the daily routine (when I remember to stretch, that is).
I thought that there was some posts back when about Mary Jane helping with spasticity and pain...haven't asked the neuro about that yet, esp since it hasn't been legalized for medical purposes yet in this state. I do have friends in low places that could help me with obtaining it if I wanted to...lol...but I'm kind of afraid to go that route.
Kitty, hope you find some relief...call your dr. you need to get a handle on this pronto. Good luck...let us know how you're doing

Hi Kelly, I am now taking 30mg 3 x a day and can add another 10 at night if I feel I need it.

When I go back to the Neuro in Feb we are going to talk about changing it for at that time I will have been on Baclofen for well over 2 1/2 months. He feels that over a long period of time your body gets immune to it and you need to switch to something else.

How are you feeling now?

I've heard that too!