Baclofen

[BRENDA1958]

I am currently taking Baclofen for muscle spasms and cramps. The other day, I figured I would try an experiment and not take them for the day. Can you believe I stayed up all day, and like my son told me, "mama you are as sharp as a pin today?" And I really was. I didn't take a nap until well after noon and I didn't have cobwebs in my head all day. And finally, no cramps or spasms. Honestly, I can't remember the last time I had one. If I've had one at all. So I guess what I am asking the group is this: will it hurt me if I stayed off them until I see my neuro later in the month? I am enjoying the extra time for being aware of what is going on. I would appreciate any thoughts on this.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

Hi BRENDA1958 sounds like you had a Wonderful day! 😊

*Call your Neuro today! Let them know what you are doing and what's going on. 😊*

I know I can't take it, because of the horrible feelings it gives me.

Good luck.

Jes🌠

[Midgey_Midge06]

Its never a good idea to stop taking a med cold turkey. But as everyone has said a quick call to ur doc offc shud clear that up.

I only take my baclofen at nite instead of 3 times a day cuz i wud so be in a fog. And my muscle spasms only bother me at nite wen i sleep.

[Kenu]

Good for you 👍. Like everyone has said, best to check with doctor and advise them on what you’re doing 🤷🏼‍♂️. That’s just really good to go off a drug and doing well. Best wishes 👍🙏🐾 Ken

[bxrmom]

Glad you didn't have any pain when you didn't take the baclofen. I know the pain and spams creep in when it's time for my next dose so I can't miss one if I try. Best to call your Neuro if you haven't already to see what they say. Keep us updated!

Jessie

[erash]

I'm thinking that yes, the baclofen contributed to the cog fog and the spasticity might be eased because of the baclofen having broken the cycle of spasticity but the spasms may start to reappear as u continue off of the baclofen.

I agree, tell ur doc and stretch to delay return of the spasticity 🌈

[Doxytoo]

Not a doctor...and don't play one on TV. That said...

I've been on 80 mg of Baclofen for a couple of years now, and I guess I'm lucky because it doesn't seem to cause any side effects.

You should NOT stop Baclofen cold turkey. This per my pain doctor who had been treating me for a couple of years. This is one med you need to taper off of.

(My pharmacist didn't seem to see a problem with stopping immediately, but I began having uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms within 48 hours, so I decided cold turkey wasn't happening.)

Contact your neuro and discuss how best to come off the med. It's safer all the way around.

[normwithms]

Hi Brenda, I am glad you are doing better. I found the same thing with Baclofen. For years the doctors, 3 different MS neuros told me to stay on it. I finally just stopped taking it and a lot of my problems went away. My head cleared, my stomach started to work again, I could feel my body again and I was able make my mind reconnect to the rest of me. Some of the pain came back but it was worth it to be in control again. I found Aspirin would handle most of the pain. My doctor finally gave up on trying to keep me on Baclofen. She came up with some other things that help with spasms, cramps and sleep. She is mostly not happy with me because I change my dosing on drugs to test if they are working or not, when ever I feel like it. I do a lot of testing of different thing to see if they work on me or not. Please don't do it the way I do, it's just my little way of fighting back against the system. Do talk to our doctor and see if they will help you get off the stuff. It did help me.

[BRENDA1958 in reply to normwithms]

Im glad someone understands.

[hairbrain4 in reply to normwithms]

I do the same thing with my meds. I did back off of them by tapering off. I have had some bad experiences with stopping cold turkey. I had to back off of the Lyrica because it was making me loopy. I'd rather have the neuropathy than feel stupid all the time. My doc doesn't get mad at me either. She would rather see me off of the drugs when I can. I'm glad she isn't a pill pusher. As far as Baclofen I haven't been able to get off of it completely even though I try every now & then. I was up to 60mg 3 to 4 times a day & now I am back down to 30mg 2x a day. That has really helped with the cog fog.

[BRENDA1958 in reply to hairbrain4]

I'm not having any problems. It's nice to not be retarded anymore. I will never take Baclofen again. Thanks for the imput

[Yooper]

I have tried to cut back. It goes well for a while until I really start spasms often. I hope it works for you 🙏.

[BRENDA1958 in reply to Yooper]

I never had spasms in the first place. My neueo prescribed them for me I guess as a precaution. I feel more energy and I am not in the fog anymore. I can actually stay awake and participate in more family activities. There's actually more places than the couch.

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador]

I am amazed. Even with 20mg twice a day, I still have spasms every day, especially in my toes and feet. Doc said I could increase dose to as much as 80mg a day. Going to start 60mg today. Ankles and toes going berserk as I type this..