Baclofen

[candy158]

Well, hi to all................. *S*  and happy holidays, hope you are all getting to enjoy this busy time, and getting everything done that needs to be done...... ( nice thought, I know  LOL)

Well, much to my chagrin, I'm going to try the Baclofen.  Even though it was recommended back in October, I also read that you should not take it with bowel troubles.  Well, nothing seems to be working there anyways, so, thought I would try it and try and stop some of the spasms I get in my legs mostly when I try to relax.

Has anyone else had that, when you try and relax, everything starts shaking and jumping around, and it feels like the energizer r bunny pumping up; your legs???

This has been a tough month for me, and I know that alot of you are having the same depression troubles, hoping that this is seeing brighter days ahead.

Take care all,
Candy

[RedFlame]

Hi Candy, I am sorry to hear about your struggles that you are having.  It's a tough time during the holidays, if you are already prone to depression it can get worse.  One thing I remind myself is that it will be over soon (the holidays).  It's sort of a denial thing.

I think many of us here have big problems with spasticity and spasms.  My pain level changed when I started taking anti-spasticity medicines.  I take two different spasm medications.  I hope you will try the Baclofen.  

Hugs

Red

[jensequitur]

I take six a day - one every four hours.  (After titrating from one a day!)  I started taking them because of the chest spasms/esophageal spasms I get.  At first I was concerned about the amount I was having to take, but now I don't notice... unless I forget to take one!

I get a similar kind of leg action, but mine is in the mornings, or when I'm just really fatigued.  I think it's clonus.  In the morning if I try to move my right leg, it tenses up and freezes.  So far I've been able to relax it, but it takes a few seconds.  If I'm getting up from the couch, my leg will tense up sometimes, then it goes thump-thump-thump against the floor.  Again, I have to think it into relaxing so I can walk.

[candy158]

thanks guys.... I forgot to tell you all that I have my appointment for UBC MS clinic on January 20, so we are going to try this and hope for the best.  

I understand that this is not a understandable disease, and I wish and hope that my neuro's would pay attention to us, but we don't have that liberty with the Dr's.  They believe what they want, and won't listen or pay attention to us or our symptons no matter how weak or severe it doesn't matter to them because they get to go home and not live with this like we do.

I hope for some solid answers in January .............. but, I am not holding my breath .

Thanks for listening,

take care,
Candy

[jumpinjiminy]

Baclofen helped me a lot. I have recently tapered off of it because it's not needed anymore. For now. Mine was started at 10mg 3x/day then up to 15 mg. It made me feel really spacey at first for a few days. That did go away. After that, it took a couple of weeks for the full effect to kick in. Hang in there. You might be pleasantly surprised in the end.

[Lulu54]

Hi Candy,
Many of us are on baclofen.  Be sure that you titrate the dose - you don't want to dump the full dose into your sytems immediately.  Nor do you ever want to stop it cold turkey.  

It takes a while for this drug to work through our central nervous system, but is well worth the try for you to see if it quiets that bunny. Don't give up on it too soon

As for the depression, be sure that you are talking to your doctor about this - again, many of us here are being treated for depression.  It is a very common problem with MS.

The holidays can also add to the problems - be sure to take some time to be kind to yourself in additiona to everyone else.

be well, Lulu