Baclofen side effects long term and if I stopped

FreeBird · 06-26-2006, 07:45 PM

Hi

I'm s/p 29 years in 08/26/06. I'm a c7-c8 inc. I'm in good health, live independently (w/partner) and do all my own B/B care. I didn't take any spasm meds till 1997. I was working a 40 hour week at U.C. SANTA CRUZ but was having trouble sleeping. My spasms were keeping me awake at night and causing discomfort in my LE's. I've been taking Baclofen for 8 1/2 years.

I'm considering stop taking Baclofen. I medical have concerns for LT use and side effects. Will it hurt me physically if I wean off it slowly. Baclofen doesn't do a whole lot for me except for the severity of the spasm.

Thank You
FreeBird
Skynard LIVES

WonderDerek · 06-26-2006, 08:02 PM

I read a bunch of things about Baclofen and decided to stop as well. I didn't tapper down though, I just quit. Not the best idea but I didn't have any bad side effects. My spasms have basically stopped. I might have a few every now and then but they are very, VERY rare. I'd rather be without Baclofen and Gabapentin so that's what I'm aiming for.

paramoto · 06-26-2006, 08:04 PM

I am at 20 mgs a day down from 40, hopefully on my way down to 0 (eventhough I just bought a 270 day supply today).

Skynyrd does rule.

Raven · 06-26-2006, 08:29 PM

FreeBird, I had problems when Baclofen was prescribed to me and am unable to take it. I did however find this info in answer to your question, I believe.

Quote:

Suddenly stopping baclofen may cause seizures, hallucinations, and rebound spasticity.

http://www.exploringspasticity.com/e...reat-oral.html

Good luck with your decision.

BTW, Love your choice of name. Hopefully I will one day use it for my planned skydive.

FreeBird · 06-26-2006, 08:52 PM

weaning instead of total stoppage. Don't need a seizure

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raven

FreeBird, I had problems when Baclofen was prescribed to me and am unable to take it. I did however find this info in answer to your question, I believe.

http://www.exploringspasticity.com/e...reat-oral.html

Good luck with your decision.

BTW, Love your choice of name. Hopefully I will one day use it for my planned skydive.

Flyarmy64 · 06-28-2006, 12:27 AM

What are the long time use negative side effects you are referring to? Do these side effects also apply to intrathecal baclofen?

SCI-Nurse · 06-28-2006, 12:04 PM

DO NOT STOP TAKING BACLOFEN SUDDENLY!!!!!! You can have headaches, seizures, horrible dreams and frank psychosis. I remember one very nice young man who stopped suddenly and had to be kept in four point leather restraints because he was so agitated. If you want to stop, discuss it with your provider and WEAN SLOWLY. Trust me. You don't want to go through the side effects.

Also, you have to decide if you can live with your spasticity. Sometimes it's not only uncomfortable but positively dangerous--like throw you out of your wheelchair onto the ground dangerous.

RAB

SCI-Nurse · 06-28-2006, 12:05 PM

The side effects also apply, in spades, to intrathecal baclofen. Do not let your pump run dry.

RAB

lenallen · 06-28-2006, 11:26 PM

When I had my Baclofen stopped cold turkey many years ago because I suddenly developed double vision (dr thought Baclofen might have been the cause--it wasn't and to this day that double vision is still unexplained) I developed total insomnia for three nights straight, until the baclofen was resumed. (I had only been on a low dose of it for a month or so when all this took place.)

Yankman30 · 07-02-2006, 11:38 AM

Hi, I've been taking 30mg of Baclofen three times a day for over ten years. When I've tried slowly stopping in the past, my spasms got worse. Now I just stay at that dosage. I don't think I have any side effects from it. It's all I've ever taken for spasms.

06-26-2006, 07:45 PM	#1
FreeBird Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: CA Posts: 489	Baclofen side effects long term and if I stopped Hi I'm s/p 29 years in 08/26/06. I'm a c7-c8 inc. I'm in good health, live independently (w/partner) and do all my own B/B care. I didn't take any spasm meds till 1997. I was working a 40 hour week at U.C. SANTA CRUZ but was having trouble sleeping. My spasms were keeping me awake at night and causing discomfort in my LE's. I've been taking Baclofen for 8 1/2 years. I'm considering stop taking Baclofen. I medical have concerns for LT use and side effects. Will it hurt me physically if I wean off it slowly. Baclofen doesn't do a whole lot for me except for the severity of the spasm. Thank You FreeBird Skynard LIVES

06-26-2006, 08:04 PM	#3
paramoto Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,976	I am at 20 mgs a day down from 40, hopefully on my way down to 0 (eventhough I just bought a 270 day supply today). Skynyrd does rule. __________________ T6 complete (or so I think), SCI since September 21, 2003

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06-26-2006, 08:02 PM	#2
WonderDerek Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 795	I read a bunch of things about Baclofen and decided to stop as well. I didn't tapper down though, I just quit. Not the best idea but I didn't have any bad side effects. My spasms have basically stopped. I might have a few every now and then but they are very, VERY rare. I'd rather be without Baclofen and Gabapentin so that's what I'm aiming for.

06-28-2006, 12:27 AM	#6
Flyarmy64 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: MO USA Posts: 209	What are the long time use negative side effects you are referring to? Do these side effects also apply to intrathecal baclofen?

06-28-2006, 12:04 PM	#7
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,303	DO NOT STOP TAKING BACLOFEN SUDDENLY!!!!!! You can have headaches, seizures, horrible dreams and frank psychosis. I remember one very nice young man who stopped suddenly and had to be kept in four point leather restraints because he was so agitated. If you want to stop, discuss it with your provider and WEAN SLOWLY. Trust me. You don't want to go through the side effects. Also, you have to decide if you can live with your spasticity. Sometimes it's not only uncomfortable but positively dangerous--like throw you out of your wheelchair onto the ground dangerous. RAB

06-28-2006, 12:05 PM	#8
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,303	The side effects also apply, in spades, to intrathecal baclofen. Do not let your pump run dry. RAB

06-28-2006, 11:26 PM	#9
lenallen Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 22	When I had my Baclofen stopped cold turkey many years ago because I suddenly developed double vision (dr thought Baclofen might have been the cause--it wasn't and to this day that double vision is still unexplained) I developed total insomnia for three nights straight, until the baclofen was resumed. (I had only been on a low dose of it for a month or so when all this took place.)

07-02-2006, 11:38 AM	#10
Yankman30 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 44	Hi, I've been taking 30mg of Baclofen three times a day for over ten years. When I've tried slowly stopping in the past, my spasms got worse. Now I just stay at that dosage. I don't think I have any side effects from it. It's all I've ever taken for spasms.