Baclofen Question

Hi All,

I have a question about the effects of (oral) Baclofen.

Apparently, my cervical scoliosis is the cause of the vertigo I have been experiencing for most of this month. Nearly every day, sometime between 2-5pm, I start to get a pressure feeling in my head then vertigo and nausea. The symptoms finally abate by 10-11pm, after lying down for 4+ hours. I'm also fine in the morning.

My GP put me on valium as a muscle relaxant on Friday (my neck muscles are in major spasm). I took it as the symptoms began that day and it was the first day I've not ended up with vertigo for weeks (I actually ended up in the ER a few days prior -- CT and blood work normal).

I also took the Valium yesterday and today, as the symptoms began each day, and it has continued to be effective.

Of course, the cause itself needs treatment, but in the mean time, it looks like I am going to have to rely upon a muscle relaxant daily.

In years past, I've tried most of what is on the market, except for Baclofen. Zanaflex and Skelaxin make me feel awful. I don't recall the effects of Soma -- but I'm wondering if Baclofen, given that it potentates the GABA receptors, will make me feel groggy like Valium does.

I'm hoping to find something that will allow me to work while taking it and I thought I would ask for Baclofen if it is less likely to cause the grogginess of Valium and other benzodiazepines.

Thanks.

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C4-T4 Scoliosis (disk degeneration, stenosis, narrowed neuroforamen, bone spurs), RT hip and SI joint damage from car accident. Also, pectus excavatum, supraventricular tacycardia and mitral valve prolapse syndrome.
Current meds: Ultram ER 300mg daily, breakthrough - hydrocodone 10mg, or oxycodone 5-7.5mg. .25-.5mg ativan as needed for sleep, Verapamil 240mg SR (for tachycardia). [/gray

Cogito

 

I have been on Baclofen for years for severe muscle spasms, I take 30mg every eight hours and I have had no noticeable side affects from it other than for the most part it has completely controlled my spasms. I have noticed it has also helped control my pain and I have had less of a need for Percocets for break through pain. I still need it sometime, but not near like before I started on the Baclofen. I know for me,  my spasms seem to be cyclic and they would come and stay for a while ( some times weeks) and then go away for a while ( sometimes months other times just a week or two) but they would always  come back!!!. I would get them everywhere from the bottom of my feet to my hands fingers, and also my legs arms and even my neck not to mention  my back. Sometime my muscles would knot up so tight it seemed like nothing would work to release them, and of course they would hurt like the dickens!  I stared off on 5mgs every eight hours and afterwards slowly worked up my doseage, to my present level. My muscle spasms has pretty much completely disappeared! I haven't  noticed any real side affects from it, not even the drowsyness  that allot of people get! For me personnally Baclofen  has really been a Godsend!!!

 

 Anyway from my experience I think  it is definitely something that you might want to consider trying??? Talk with your Doctor and see what your Doctor thinks about it, maybe he might want to try prescribing for you

I wish you well,and if you try it I hope it works for you!

 

Good Luck to You

 

White Beard

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Moderator Chronic Pain
After spending nearly 22 1/2 years in the USAF, I retired in Sept, 1991. I then went back to school and became a licensed RN in 1994, and I worked on Oncology and then a Med Surg Unit, I became disabled in late 1999 and was approved SSD in early 2002!-- DDD, With herniated Disk at T-12 and L4-5. C5-C6 ACDF in Sep 2009, C6-C7 ACDF in Mar 1985, Osteoarthritis, Ulcerative colitis, Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Complex Sleep Apnea, and host of other things to spice up my life!(NOT!) Medications:Oxycontin, Percocet, Baclofen, Sulfasalazine, Metoprolol, Folic Acid, Supplemental O2 at 3lpm with VPAP Adapt SV I am White Beard with a White Beard!

Post Edited (White Beard) : 8/28/2011 11:15:24 PM (GMT-6)

I am currently on Baclofen and have been on probably nearly every muscle relaxer out there over the years. It did take me a couple of weeks to get past the sleepiness. I found if I sat down I nodded off, but as long as I was up and moving around I was ok during the first couple of weeks.

So far I am very happy with how it is helping with the muscle spasms. I am on 10mg every four hours, with a max of 60mg a day per my dr.

I think its well worth trying.

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Moderator Chronic Pain Forum

Just remember with baclofen, that it needs to be titrated up and down in dose. When you start it, you start with a low dose and then slowly increase it over several days until you get to the proper dose for your condition.
When stopping baclofen, it needs to be titrated down in dose until you reach none, and it is done slowly as well.
It is highly effective for me, especially for my legs and most of the back spasms.
Sandi

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Motorcycle accident 1992, Back problems from 92 to 2005. August 2005- early 2006- Chiropractor care
March 2006- consult with surgeon -PLIF/TLIF L4-5, spondylolysthesis, canal and foraminal stenosis, multiple herniations
Post Op Cauda Equina Syndrome
Revision August 2007- salvage op
March 2011- 2nd onset of Cauda Equina Syndrome
Needs surgery to prevent paralysis