Baclofen withdraw

[Emily1975]

I need help... I've been taking 35 mg of baclofen for a month..and my Dr told me I could wean off in 5 days...well the first day of trying to back of my dose by 10mg... I had hallucinations and convulsions... this drug makes me a zombie .. I need off of it immediately.. Will I have bad withdrawl after only 4 weeks taking this medication...the Dr seems to think I'll be fine ..but two days into backing off my dose and I feel intensely weird ..like I'm getting the flu or something... i need help as the baclofen makes mt blood pressure go up...I do not want to keep taking it...

[COwithAMN Administrator AMN EASIER Volunteer]

Hi Emily

Sounds like you are having a really bad time. I can only offer sympathy and the belief that your doctor is correct that you will eventually pass through this phase.

I tried Baclofen years ago, and it didn't help my spasticity, and I stopped taking it. I had no reaction to withdrawal. I think you are just unlucky as Baclofen is widely used I believe for MS patients.

Hang in there!

Chris

[Hayleyautumn in reply to COwithAMN]

You know she could’ve died from the WD it’s deadly extremely deadly. Can cause organ failure rapid tearing of the muscles and hallucinations and seizures and DEATH.

[bluejadedwho]

Yes, only options are to continue with the taper that you have been doing, or slow down the tsort. Being on it for only a month normally shouldn’t be that bad, however everyone is very different of course. Be well.

[bluejadedwho in reply to bluejadedwho]

Also, when tapering off a medication generally you should try to stick to reductions of 33%. This will then result in less and less of a milligram reduction as you get lower.

[monkeybus]

I have been incredibly lucky in this regard. I took 60mg of Baclofen daily for months, stopped cold turkey. No problems at all. Just happy to be off it.

More so with Lyrica and Gabapentin. I have taken enormous doses for literally years. I stop periodically, just to give my brain a rest if nothing else.

What gets me more than anything else is how the spasms come back with a vengeance. Stomach spasms first, then legs. But no physical withdrawal or cravings.

But these Gabagenic drugs can be monsters for some people. Ask any Valium addict.

To be honest, if I want a few days off, but want to keep the spasms at bay, I usually have a few drinks. It is all a means to an end for me.

Some people dissolve the pills in water then measure out smaller and smaller doses with an eye dropper. A nice idea in theory.

Your 30% reduction could well be a bit too ambitious, but I am no expert.

Baclofen, I hate the stuff. Take it seriously, it is hardly Oxycodone though. Stick with it.

Take care.

[Quiller]

I am fortunate that this drug has been a huge help to me and I have had no side effects I have been taking it for years and the doctor increased a bit over the years until it was just right My physical therapist was the one who talked to my doctor about it and I finally agreed to try it The spasticity was causing such pain I didn't do drugs even after Dr. Raymond gave me a list of my options I wish I had not been so anti drug sooner Baclofen has helped so much I ran out once when refill was not ordered and the pain I suffered was something I never want again Cold turkey was excruciating. I also take other drugs for tremor and muscle spasm and have much less pain My legs are also worse and my arms are involved I hope your doctor can help wean you and you find another drug to help with no side effects

[SongStream]

I know this was posted over a week ago, but I want to say I'm sorry for the horrific withdrawal as I've had experienced this with another medication. Its not easy but you will be successful. As for baclofen, I've used this for many years as the only medication to quiet my nighttime spasms. It eventually fizzled out and provided no relief whatsoever. In fact, because I only took it in the evening, I was taking an enormous dose of 90 mg. which I now understand is excessive because the dosage should be spread out three times during the day which I did not heed since it made me drowsy. I did quit cold turkey without any side effects to take tizanidine which has provided the relief I've been aching for.

Please let us know how you are doing .

[Hayleyautumn]

You need to take it slow you can die from the WD

[novoMagNus]

You have been reported:

The drug discussed is know to have serious withdrawal symptoms and can include: agitation, insomnia, confusion, delusions, hallucinations, seizures, visual changes, psychosis, dyskinesia, hyperthermia, and increased spasticity. Even cardiac arrest in one known instance. Hayleyautumn was spot on, a person can in fact die from acute baclofen withdrawal, just as they can from a benzodiazepine withdrawal. Do yourself a favor and google it next time.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...