Baclofen 10MG tablet and muscle spasms.

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Uprightnbreathin
New Member

Date Joined Aug 2007
Total Posts : 19

Posted 9/11/2007 1:47 AM (GMT -7)

Has anyone noticed less spasms on this medication? I am Rx'd two tablets, three times a day. I am not sure if this has helped the spasms at all. I do know that I run into the wall more often(?) I was thinking of stopping this medication; however, in researching this med on the internet I found out that bad things can happen quitting this medication cold turkey. I do know my fine motor skills are still off and it seems like having to X out of a window on the computer is an ever increasing challenge.

Shawn

37 year old Dx'd M.S. Jan '07

Kimber
Veteran Member

Date Joined Jun 2005
Total Posts : 1831

Posted 9/16/2007 9:32 AM (GMT -7)

Hi Shawn,

Baclophen is probably the most popular spasticity med and its one of those that you need to increase gradually and decrease gradually too to come off of it. 10 mg is a starter dose so if you're not seeing any improvement at all make sure you tell your doctor that and see what they want to do. Good luck!

Kimber

Co-moderator for Multiple Sclerosis

Allow Healing Well to continue to help others, clink link for details

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uppitycats
Veteran Member

Date Joined Jun 2005
Total Posts : 2135

Posted 9/16/2007 10:29 AM (GMT -7)

Just a note of caution, too: Be careful to not take TOO much of this drug, as it can cause your muscles to be SO relaxed, they're not able to support you well. And some spasticity can be a good thing: without it, I would not be able to stand at all. I stopped taking the drug when I needed SO much to reduce the spasticity that my legs were like rubber bands, and I fell and broke my leg. I've since learned that I just may have to put up with some muscle tightness if I want to keep any mobility at all.

You really need to talk with your doctor and see if you can find a point where you're taking enough to keep comfortable but not so much as to be risky. And yes, don't just stop taking it. There are many meds that you need to taper off, not just stop "cold turkey", and baclofen is one of them.

...I am not a doctor, nor health professional, and don't pretend to be one, here.....

Uprightnbreathin
New Member

Date Joined Aug 2007
Total Posts : 19

Posted 9/16/2007 7:32 PM (GMT -7)

My number one complaint with my M.S. is my muscle cramps. My legs (below my knees) have been cramped (all except my calf muscle) and this was maybe fine for the first day; however, after the first time trying to sleep with this I learned sleep was impossible. This problem started a year and a half ago and I still have no relief from the cramps. Is the Baclofen for problems like the cramps? I do have other spasticity problems... noticible by Dr. when I walk. I was wishing that this med would help with the cramps as well. The cramps are 24/7 and driving me nuts. I almost feel violent at times due to this. Maybe violent isn't the word I was looking for, but if anyone else has this problem with no relief ever.... they would know what I meant.

Shawn

Uprightnbreathin
New Member

Date Joined Aug 2007
Total Posts : 19

Posted 9/20/2007 12:17 AM (GMT -7)

Does this Rx work with muscle cramps as I have?

uppitycats
Veteran Member

Date Joined Jun 2005
Total Posts : 2135

Posted 9/20/2007 3:46 AM (GMT -7)

Yes, it should work with muscle spasms..or cramps..in your legs. If it does not appear to work for you then you need to talk with your doctor. There are other meds you might try.

Not all meds work well for all individuals, even if they seem to have similar symptoms.

...I am not a doctor, nor health professional, and don't pretend to be one, here.....

Uprightnbreathin
New Member

Date Joined Aug 2007
Total Posts : 19

Posted 9/20/2007 11:45 AM (GMT -7)

Nice to hear there is hope! I will be even more religiously taking these meds now! ..... crossing my fingers as well.

Uprightnbreathin
New Member

Date Joined Aug 2007
Total Posts : 19

Posted 9/26/2007 1:50 AM (GMT -7)

I don't mean to drag on a dead question..... but I am now scared about my muscle cramps and think I need an increase in my dose due to the research I have done. I hope these links help as to why I am now scared.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AgNrDSO6CywvQsux3khkuF7sy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20070924064727AAgBJS4

This is from Yahoo Questions and answers.

What answer is the best ?(would be great if anyone could answer me there as well)

uppitycats
Veteran Member

Date Joined Jun 2005
Total Posts : 2135

Posted 9/26/2007 4:05 AM (GMT -7)

The links don't work. Can you simply post a summary of the questions and answers, and we'll try to help?

...I am not a doctor, nor health professional, and don't pretend to be one, here.....

Uprightnbreathin
New Member

Date Joined Aug 2007
Total Posts : 19

Posted 9/26/2007 10:22 AM (GMT -7)

Hi Uppity,
I was asking if the muscles could simply continue for say the next 20 years being cramped. I was told that; "If you don't get it under control your muscles can become weak to do constant contractions and you may get to the point where you can't walk or stand." This came from a person with MS.
This is scary but does make sense. sorry about the link.
Shawn

uppitycats
Veteran Member

Date Joined Jun 2005
Total Posts : 2135

Posted 9/26/2007 11:58 AM (GMT -7)

Uprightnbreathin said...
Hi Uppity,
I was asking if the muscles could simply continue for say the next 20 years being cramped. I was told that; "If you don't get it under control your muscles can become weak to do constant contractions and you may get to the point where you can't walk or stand." This came from a person with MS.
This is scary but does make sense. sorry about the link.
Shawn

I don't use baclofen or any of the anti-spasmodic drugs available, because none of them seemed to work to reduce/relieve the spasms. And when I was using baclofen, I fell, broke my leg in 3 places. The doctor seemed to think that one cause of the break (other than my lousy balance) was that the muscles were too weak..the spasms too reduced, to support me. Some spasticity is a good thing, apparently -- to keep standing upright.

I don't know about the message you got. As I understand what happen with MS is this: -- muscles that don't get nerve impulses from the brain -- because the nerve impulses are blocked because a lesion or lesions are in the way -- get weaker over time, because they're not being used. And if those muscles happen to be in your legs, your legs will get weaker. So with or without spasms, if the muscles aren't getting signals from the brain, they'll weaken over time. It has little to do with whether you're taking anti-spasmodic drugs.

I stopped taking baclofen years and years ago. I have muscle cramping/ spasms in my legs. They are significantly weaker than they were 10 years ago, and I can no longer stand for more than a few seconds, enough to transfer to-from a seat, or to stand long enough to reach something off a shelf. Their weak state has little to do with muscle spasms and everything to do with the fact that the signals from my brain to my legs just aren't there anymore, or are SO weak the muscles aren't reliable.

But again...

...I am not a doctor, nor health professional, and don't pretend to be one, here.....

AlwaysDifferent
New Member

Date Joined Oct 2009
Total Posts : 1

Posted 10/12/2009 3:25 PM (GMT -7)

I do not have cramps, but serious jolts of pain in my legs. My doctor has me on Gabapentin (Neurontin) 1500mg/day. It has helped the pain, and my sleeping is better now that I do not have serious leg spasms at night. I take this in conjuction with the baclofen.

Is your doctor specialized in MS treatment?

Gretchen1
Veteran Member

Date Joined Jan 2007
Total Posts : 2395

Posted 10/12/2009 4:16 PM (GMT -7)

AlwaysDifferent,

Welcome to the board. I wanted to say hi and welcome you but I also wanted to point out that the thread you are responding to is very old. You may not get a response. I hope you will start your own thread and introduce yourself. Thanks for posting.

Gretchen ~ diagnosed with MS July 2006

I have no lesions on my soul and so I will live with no limits.

odettesmom
Regular Member

Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 252

Posted 11/11/2009 7:54 AM (GMT -7)

began on baclofen 10mg two 3xday and also hit the wall on occasion. doctor cut dose to one morning, one at noon and two at bedtime when my cramping is the worst. seems to be working except sometimes get cramps midday. at least at night my toes don't try to curl up to the top of my foot. discuss any change with your doctor, as there can be bad side effects if you go off it suddenly. maybe just a decrease in dose is needed, as it was for me. linda

newly diagnosed in Arkansas
New Member

Date Joined Nov 2009
Total Posts : 4

Posted 11/30/2009 8:27 PM (GMT -7)

I am new here and have been doing some reading on this thread. I find it very helpful and interesting. I have spasms everywhere and the worst part is my back and abdoman. I was given Robaxin a few years back while living in AK and then moved to AR . The new dr. here took me off of it and said that it was something I should have only taken temp. and that it was habit forming. The research that I did on Robaxin said that it is not habit forming and does work for the most part. Is there something else I should be looking out for(medication wise)? Or do you think that if the Robaxin is working then I should just remain on it? When I tell people about this medication, they freak out and ask me how I function on it. It does not make me sleepy at all.

I have since seen a new dr. and am now back on Robaxin.

A.H.

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