Can baclofen pump increase spasticity?

[alex1]

Over a month ago, I had a baclofen pump installed by a very good doctor. However, after each increase in dosage, my spasms seem to increase, rather than decrease. I am very happy with my doctor and the care that he/she provides, but I'm somewhat perplexed by my reaction to the implant. Has anyone else experienced this? Any comments would be extremely helpful. Thank you.

hope you are doing better than me darrel.

alex

[alex1]

darrel,

hope you are doing better than me bud.

alex

[alex1]

I also wanted to ask if people with pumps feel "hot spots" in their stomach/back/trunks after the pump implantation? I know that when one experiences spasms, there is a hot sensation but these "hot spot" feelings are very different than what I used to feel prior to the implant. Thanks.

[darrel]

hi alex1,
I am noticing that my spastisity is still there but not as bad,my spasms are almost gone for now, but I have found that I am having more trouble with my feet and ancles swelling and my joints in my lower extremedies are stiffer than they were before and my balance is off more now than before. for the most part I am pleased with my pump now that the dosage is up now at 174.6mcg/day

as far as hot sensations, I can't say as that I have any of them but then I can't feel much of any thing in my lower part of my body (waist down) now I feel that the catheder is sticking out and rubbing on my chair back and my lower back is sore/burning but that is from trying to stand longer than I should (I try to push my limits)

then your condition is different than ours and that may play a large factor in it.

hope you and your Dr. get something figured out soon.

[rybread]

Alex, I've had a pump for many years and have had problems with it to. You've only had it in for a month, how many times have you had it turned up? It takes a good six months to get the dosage right and you're spasms increasing may just be because your body is ears dated from the pump. I can't give you a good answer for that. The heat you're feeling around your pump is something I've never felt but then I really can't feel much down there. It could be just that some of your nerves around the pump got damaged when they did the surgery. I've never heard anyone getting hot spots when they get spasms. I can tell you this, having the baclofen in your system through your spinal cord will make some things feel different. At least it did for me, but I can't remember exactly what. I think I've had my pump since 2001, when they used a different generation of pump, and I got it replaced last year I think. I'll call my pain doctor tomorrow and see if she's heard of these symptoms before. Good luck with it all.
Darrell, your feet and ankles are swelling because there is less tone in your legs, in other words, the muscles aren't tight helping to hold the blood out of your feat.

[darrel]

that would explain the stiffness.. I'm working on strength building in rehab right now along with my gait..mostly strength though..

thanks for the insight , I apperciate it.

[Apparelyzed]

Hi,

The only time my spasms have become worse, is when there has been a problem with the pump.

Has the pump been checked for leaks in the tubing, or to check the catheter tip hasn't moved within the spine?

Initially, in the couple of weeks following my pump implants, my back was very stiff, and would trigger spasms when I leaned forwards, but this wore off after a couple of weeks.

I haven't heard of a reaction with baclofen causing an increase in spasticity, but it may be worth checking with the manufacturer, you probably have a Medtronic pump, so you could email them direct.

Regards

Simon

[rollin64]

another thing....

i don't think its good to have no spasms at all.

[sjean423]

Agree rollin, I am working on getting mine set so that mine are more like "moderate" than non.

But back to Alex, Not entirely sure what you are describing, but the first few months, I would get mine adjusted, it would be great for a week or so, then the tone would be back. They would up the pump, it would be good for a while, then tone again. I have been told that is normal, and like someone said above it takes a while to get it right. But if you NEVER are getting relief, something isn;t right, unless you have never reached the right amount.

Did you have a trial? And was it successful? My initial amount in the pump was based on that.

Good luck with it.

[Apparelyzed]

another thing....

i don't think its good to have no spasms at all.

After 15 years with a pump, I've learned to get the pump adjusted with the maximum spasticity you can tolerate.

I have mine set so I can trigger the spasms by breathing. This allows me to have spasms in my hands to initiate a grip. Needless to say, this is very usefull, as I'm a C5/6!

Loss of muscle tone will also burn less calories, leading to weight gain. This will be gradual, over 2-5 years, but by the time you notice it, it will be too late, and difficult to correct, especially if you end up with a Quad/Para belly.

Simon.

[sjean423]

Loss of muscle tone will also burn less calories, leading to weight gain. This will be gradual, over 2-5 years, but by the time you notice it, it will be too late, and difficult to correct, especially if you end up with a Quad/Para belly.

Simon.

Interesting point. I've put on about 5 pounds since I had the pump put in in March. I hadn't attributed it to that, but I am sure it was a factor! The nurse even commented at my last fill to be careful with weight gain, as mine is deep and she doesn;t have a lot of needle to spare!

[darrel]

Interesting point. I've put on about 5 pounds since I had the pump put in in March. I hadn't attributed it to that, but I am sure it was a factor! The nurse even commented at my last fill to be careful with weight gain, as mine is deep and she doesn;t have a lot of needle to spare!

I have to laugh at you and Simon about the wieght gain after the pump...I have put on at least 40 lbs over the last 2 years I'm not sure as to how much over the last month and a half if any I haven't had much appitite.

[mileshadastroke]

Alex, is there any dicsomfort from having the pump&catheter implantd under your skin?what about headaches? any? i had them from my spinal tap.
Ido tak oral baclofen 25mg 3x day.

hank,
miles sakaguchi

[bdvaneven]

I had a pump placement several months ago due to chronic pain. The medications being used are morphine and bacolfen. I found that in first month was the worse. My body getting used to the medications and getting used to being active. In the beginning I was having problems sleeping, and a lot of pain. The placement was in Februay and I can see some positive results. I am now back to working about 33 hours at work. I can't say it's always easy but I make it through the day with positive thinking and looking at my girls pictures a lot. There are times even now, that I seem to take a turn for the worse and wonder if the pump is working but then several days latter I'm back feeling somewhat better. It just takes time to have the physicians find the right medication and dosages of medications. It is possible that the cord could be putting pressure on a nerve but I would hope they would x-ray you immediately to find out. I know it doesn't work they we all would like it to work. They keep on telling me the medications will make me too loose but it never does. I'm going in for a refill and the provider will be there. Somehow they are giving me the ability to self administrator a high dosage when I think I need it. If your machine wasn't working, I would think you would be going through extreme withdrawls right now. Give it alittle more time and something good will come from it. Hard to see right now though. Good luck!