I have been getting lower back ache for years. 1 1/2 years ago my doctor prescribed Baclofen but after only taking this drug a couple of days I started getting severe back spasms which locked my whole body up. This happened at work and an ambulance was called as everyone thought I was having some kind of epileptic fit. At the hospital they told me that Baclofen can actually cause worse spasms in some people so I immediately stopped taking it. However, I still get the severe spasms. I started to notice that before a spasm occured my right thumb would start to tremor uncontrollably, then the spasms in the back would start. I finally got a hospital appointment with a neurosurgeon but this went from bad to worse. I was admitted to hospital and was there for 2 weeks. They gave me this drug and that drug (mostly epilepsy related) and valium but while I was there lying down all day I got up to six of these attacks daily. Sometimes they were so bad that I almost stopped breathing. I am unable to work because I never know when these attacks are going to happen, and also I am really tired a lot of the time. I still do not have a diagnosis. Currently I am seeing a psychologist to see of the condition is brain related. I have had scans of my spine which show compressed discs, impinging on nerves, and doctors talk of a 'narrowing'. I had my thyroid removed back in 1989 and have been on Oroxine ever since, the dosage goes up and down but doctors say that my levels are satisfactory at present. I have also started to get a lot of gastric reflux and my stomach blows up like a pregnant woman(!) which I think might be due to the drugs. Is there anybody out there who has gone through something similar?

Hello DaveP and WELCOME to NeuroTalk!

I'm sorry to hear of your pain and stuggles.. I hurt just hearing of them...

I too have muscle spams but I guess I'm one of the lucky ones that Baclofen works for...I have muscle spasms from head to toe as related to RSD/CRPS.

Here are couple of forums that may be of help and interest to you!

Medications & Treatments
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum72.html

Spinal Disorders & Back Pain
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html

Please feel free to roam around and join in anywhere.

If you have any questions or need any assistance please do not hesitate to ask. Someone will always be around shortly to help in any way possible.

I look forward to seeing you around the board.

Abbie

Welcome to NT!

Geeze! I am so sorry about these horrible spasms!
I can relate to a degree, but yours sound much much more intense. I'm sorry the baclofen didn't work out for you.
Abbie has given you a couple of very good links. Perhaps you'll get good feedback at either of these forums regarding meds for back spasms.

I sure hope you and your Dr can find something that will kick these spasms. Your quality of life is being severely affected by this.

I'm glad you're here. The support and understanding will help sustain you. You certainly are not alone.

Caring,
Rae

Yeah, I went on holiday for a week, camping, everything was 'ok' if I didn't really do anything! Just a bit of swimming here and there, not much walking because that definitely activates the back spasms and when I went bowling with the kids that also brought on an attack. Seeing Neuro specialist on Thursday - who knows Thanks for the links, will check them out

Hello and welcome, happy to see you have come to be with us, it a great place to be. As you can see we have a great number and caring fellow members here, welcome to a supportive and relaxing place. Have fun looking into the different forums. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

Hope to hear you have some good news from your neuro.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene