Baclofen Withdrawal?
 

Has anyone had any experience with getting off of baclofen? I was talking 60 mg per day and have been tapering off of it by 10 mg every four days. Now I am wondering if that is too fast. I am now down to 40 mg and should reduce my dosage to 30 starting tomorrow. I am doing this according to my neuro's directions. First he told me to reduce it by 10mg every five days, and then he said I could do it every four days when I complained that it would take a month before I could try something else for my spasticity.

My spasticity is a bit worse, but I am also feeling off. I am wondering if I should slow down the taper a bit. I have plenty of pills. On the other hand, he will not allow me to try zanafex until I am completely off the baclofen.

I'd let my body adjust a little longer between reductions. I'm on 120mg.

Barb, call the doc and let him know, esp since you've started back to work...

I say its individual. if you can do it fast, then get off it. if your body revolts, then go slower. tell your MD that you simply are working as hard as you can to move on, but he will need to be patient. dont push past your own breaking point.

I can just jump off stuff, where as my neighbor takes 5x as long. its all individual. :hug:

Dej is right. Everyones different. If your bod says i'm ok, its ok. I know I cant because the few times I forgot to take my night meds, my eyes were wide open when I woke at 5am. During the day I forgot once and bruised my feet spasing/kicking brake pedal (I use hand control).

Barb what is dr going to try after you are off?? curious... I had been on five pills of Baclofen a day... and now last few weeks doing more like 3 a day.. just cause I think I am in just as much pain with or without.. so was just slowing down to see... no difference so staying on the three... but might check with neuro about getting off it and seeing how I do without now... heck wish I would have kept a log better of sxs last year... like I used to...

I was put on the baclofen due to the stiffness pain I would get first thing in mornings before moving much... oh it helped right away... but since I can not remember if the back and neck stiffness pain ever happened before baclofen or started after... weird but somehow I was wondering.. due to ... wonder if the relaxant could be making things worse or better! not sure if this makes sense lol...

I hate meds... and already on gabapentin for years now.. so just trying to wonder if always need to be on both... hguss and good luck,sarah

Sarah, I think he is going to try zanflex.. You need to be careful when stopping baclofen. Tapering down is recommended if you take it everyday. It can cause all kinds of serious withdrawal problems ( including seizures) if you suddenly stop. I have never been too sure if it helps me at all. I have had stiffness and pain ever since my first flare. Some days are worse than others. Mine has been gradually getting worse so that is why I want to try a different medication. My spasticity is generally better in the mornings, and by evening it is pretty bad. Weirdly enough when I am laying down it rarely bothers me.

I am now down to 20 mg of baclofen. Spasticity got pretty bad at the end of last week, but now it seems to be back to its normal level. Neuro will not prescribe anything else until I am completely off the baclofen. About one more week to go. I have also been experiencing hot flashes and cold chills and some nausea and dizziness. That too seems to be subsiding.

barb how much were you on of baclofen?! The most my dr had increased me to is 5 a day... so 50mg I think... two in morning one afternoon and two in evening.... once when talked about stiffness and pain flairing up and if should go up again.. he said more than that will have no help and more side effects...hmmmm

anyhow... I have slowly decreased to 3 a day... and still feel same... stiff and pain sometimes and less other times... but not worse... so thinking that the baclofen at first cleared the stiff morning stuff and then eventually when getting more troubles baclofen may not have done a thing... gotta call dr too... as if not doing much for me I do want to consider weaning off and seeing....
hugsss and good luck on the zanaflex.. hugs,sarah

duhh now that I scrolled back up I see you were at 60 mg to start lol.. hugssss

and with going down to 30 instead of 50 I have not felt any different.. like side effects or withdrawal stuff... but am being careful.. I would not go down to nothing till I discuss it and wean slowly too...