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?

Well, I tried Motrin yesterday instead of the Baclofen and it actually worked better. My leg is much better today but all day yesterday I had back spasms on the right side. Felt like a really bad pulled muscle but this morning it's almost gone.

Since nothing hurts too much this morning I might just lay off the meds for a day and see what crops up. If something starts to give me trouble I may just see if Motrin will take care of it. I still have my prescription for Baclofen, though...at least it's one of the ones on the $4 generic list!

I've heard that too!

Yeah, I hear you, RW...but as much as I hate these sxs with spasticity, I am so afraid of MJ...esp the fact that's illegal in my state...I'm a wimp when it comes to breaking the law... but I am so worried about the pain/spacicity...esp when I read about how MJ has helped so many...wish ther was a clear answer...

Jim takes 30 mgs three times a day with 30 mgs for break thru pain if needed. We also stretch him daily to keep the muscles loose. I use a massage cream called Spring Chicken that we get at our local garden. You can buy it online too. He also take Tizanidine 4mgs three times a day and valium, 5 mgs two times a day and 10mgs at night. It doesn't give total relief but it's better than nothing. He has extra valium for break thru pain as well. It sounds like a lot and is but Jim can't get up and walk so the meds have to be taken to avoid constriction. We tried other meds like sinemet and marinol but it was too hard on his tummy.

Hope you get relief soon.