Is Baclofen part of asthma treatment?

[Ossing]

I was taken off Montelukast by my Asthma specialist after more than twenty years. Baclofen was given but I had to stop taking it after two weeks because my cough didn't get better. My GP asked me to stop. I couldn't get in touch with my specialist. Should I restart the Baclofen?

[Cw70]

Hi, I suffer from chronic cough asthma and my local hospital were at a loss what to do. The respiratory consultant referred me to Professor Alyn Morice at Hull hospital. He told me he could cure me. I was extremely sceptical at first as my cough was totally debilitating, I couldn’t go outside below 10 degrees without continually coughing (thankfully before COVID!) He started me in one medication and sent a list of 4 further medications to try, one at a time to my GP. I think baclofen was about 4th on the list. I had to start on 5mg once a day, slowly increasing to 20mg 3 times per day. The initial side effects were horrendous, I felt continuously drunk, light headed and nauseous, the bed was spinning. I emailed the professor one evening explaining my problems with the side effects, he replied within seconds and explained it would be worth it in the end. I persevered, and several years (probably 8 or 9) I have regained my life during the colder weather (a huge proportion of the year in the UK!)

I don’t know what dosage, or for how long you tried it but I would definitely ask your GP the reconsider putting you back on it. I did take several weeks to get up to the desired dose but was truly worth it. I am a little concerned about the long term issues, but to be honest I’m happy with the present time.

I do hope you get sorted as a constant cough is truly horrendous.

Good luck, keep me posted.

[fraid]

I used Baclofen for a while, which is a muscle relaxant, to help me stand up long enough for a shower. Thought being back muscles going into spasm so can only presume they were trying to stop your muscles spasm which may have been part of your cough? 🤔 I didn't find they made any difference but you def. need to ask gp. Does Benylin, sucking Strepsils, sweets, steam or similar help? May soothe your throat/ oesophagus? Good luck. 🤞

[Ossing in reply to fraid]

Thanks for your help. I took Baclofen for two weeks before stopping on the advice of my GP.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

The GP may be reluctant as it seems quite a niche option (I've done some work communicating asthma treatment to drs as part of my job - not a Dr but write about medicine. I've never seen baclofen suggested outside MS, though clearly some people do use it and I guess I can see why as it stops spasms - but no idea about it in asthma).

It sounds as if it hasn't helped so far though and you're still struggling. Is there anyone else on the specialist team you can contact to ask? There's no point taking things that don't work, but on the other hand, if montelukast was working then why stop it for baclofen which doesn't?

I have had other healthcare professionals restart montelukast when consultants told me to stop - some of them are convinced it doesn't work for anyone even when I tell them it does for me! So perhaps you could ask your GP to try restarting montelukast again meanwhile and/or get in touch with the specialist team even if not your consultant for other suggestions?

Personally with an asthma cough I find that throat sweets etc will help with the resulting throat soreness from coughing but are not going to stop an asthma cough - but as fraid says maybe worth a go if your throat is sore if they are safe for you. I would be careful with steam unless you know it is ok for you, as it can trigger asthma for some people.

The asthma nurse helpline reopens on Tuesday 2nd Jan - I would also give them a call next week and chat through your options: 0300 2225800 Monday (except bank holidays) -Friday 0915-5pm

[Ossing in reply to Lysistrata]

Thank you very much. I start coughing again last week. I don't sleep well with the cough. It's frustrating, especially with the headaches that accompany the cough.

[Ossing]

Thanks for your insights. I have an appointment with my specialist team only sometime in April 2024. The Baclofen was gradually increased to half a tablet three times a day.My GP tried unsuccessfully to contact the team before stopping the Baclofen. The coughing is no longer continuous though I do cough from time to time. I didn't understand why Montelukast was stopped. After researching on Baclofen, I wondered why it was prescribed to me. In addition to asthma, I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in 2016 but wasn't put on any medication. In 2020, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and has been on a daily dose of L-Thyrosine. I take prescribed omepazole, symbicort , aerius and nasonex too. Last week I was prescribed flunarizine for migraine. I am overwhelmed.