Baclofen

[paul456]

Morning all

Does anybody take Baclofen and if you do does it work? I’ve been taking it for 10 days now and my legs seem worse ie really stiff ☹️

Thanks

[MSW_91]

Hi Paul

Hope you are well.

Yes, I take Baclofen. I currently take 10mg every night. It’s worked really well for me and I couldn’t imagine not taking it now. It’s reduced my leg stiffness and pain in my spine.

I started on 5mg to test the waters. I’ve been offered an increased dose of 20mg if needed but 10mg seems to be doing the trick right now.

I have last onset Friedreich’s Ataxia and lower limb spasticity is one of my symptoms.

All the best

Matt

[paul456 in reply to MSW_91]

Thanks for that Matt 👍🏻

[lorrainewalls]

Hi Paul,

A few years ago my neurologist recommended half a tablet at night to start with for Dystonia. The following day I could hardly stay awake but I continued - early days. After a month or so, there was no difference in the dystonia but the tiredness continued. Shortly before I needed to renew the prescription, the worst of the side effects (not contra-indicated on the "instruction leaflet") manifested itself. Tingling on the left side of the body, the lips, the nose, the ear, the fingers and the feet. I tried to get an appointment with my GP, but nothing available for a month, then told to try again. So I stopped taking this medication. I reported the side effects to the neurologist 12 months later and he was surprised. 4 years later, I discovered that the tingling etc was a symptom of abnormal calcium levels. No two people are alike so "Keep Taking the Pills" unless the side effects are worse than the complaint. I still get dystonia and stiffness but I can cope with that most of the time.

[Devrim]

Hi Paul, I take baclofen 10 mg once day; my leg stiffness not worse use to be but its help my lower spine a lot. Good luck.

[Tallguy101]

Hi I take 20 mg of baclofen daily, I think tbh 10 days is not really long enough.

Personaly for me it really helps as I have spasicity in my legs and without it my leg muscles get very stiff, making walking difficult. I guess your neurologist said to take it?

[Brommie]

have a word with your Doctor. I take Gabapentin and was advised by my Consultant that might suit me better.

[ninotchka]

I am really tall too so maybe having extra long legs makes the stiffness worse?!

[richardd610]

hello Paul I have the same problem. I have severe spasticity in my legs and baclofen increases the spasticity. My doctors don’t believe it because they tell me that baclofen can’t increase spasticity. Do you have any more information on this since your last post?

[paul456 in reply to richardd610]

Morning Richard to be honest I was given Baclofen but it didn’t make the slightest bit of difference good or bad. I think some medication can seem to make things worse in the short term ie when the side effects make you dizzy at the same time ataxia make you dizzy 🥴 so I’m not much help really but stay strong my friend and take care.

[Cubsfan]

Hi paul456

I currently take 20mgs 4x/day for the past 8 years for my legs. It works well for me.

All the best!