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

Hi Cogito -

Drowsiness is a potential side effect of Baclofen, but I was on a 60mg oral dose (20mg 3x daily) with no problem whatsoever.

It is certainly worth trying - it was very effective as a muscle relaxer for me for a couple of years until my dystonia became too severe to manage with oral dosing... I've now got a baclofen pump instead.

Best of luck :)

Laura

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CRPS since 1999, diagnosed in 2005 and since spread to full body, spasms, dystonia & contractures, gastroparesis, orthostatic hypotension,bradycardia/tachycardia, bone spurs, bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome.

On Oxycontin/Endone, Topamax, Mobic, Magnesium, Florinef, Midodrine, Somac, Cipramil. Have a spinal cord stimulator, intrathecal pump with baclofen & bupivacaine and doing physio.

cogito, it's worth noting that you might feel less drowsy and groggy in a week or two of taking it. If it's working, I might stick it out for a bit and see what happens.

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Fibromyalgia, low back pain/SI joint dysfunction, anxiety, obstructive sleep apnea, endometriosis, asthma

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

Thanks for the feedback.

PT has been helping with the neck tension and vertigo over the past few days, but today it is worse. So, I think I should ask my GP for a Baclofen script.

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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

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

mrsm123,

My intention is to use the Baclofen as needed, in substitution for Valium (which was previously prescribed).

I'm assuming that it will work as a muscle relaxant on an as-needed basis, without having to build it up in my system. If I'm wrong, please do let me know.

My GP wrote a script for me and I tried 1/2 a pill yesterday (just to make sure I don't have an adverse reaction). At 5mg, it didn't make me sleepy, which is a good sign. I'll take 10mg next when I have an episode of vertigo.

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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