quitting medications and bodily backlash

buckwheat · 12-01-2003, 04:57 PM

can anyone tell me if i should expect a bodily backlash by going off of my spasm medication (zanaflex). i'm currently taking 32 mg/day, a maximum dosage. i plan to ween off of the med over 4-6 weeks. will my spasms increase because my body has built up a dependence on the med? if the increase in spasms is due only to dependence, can i expect the spasms to subside again after some period of time?

thanks

SCI-Nurse · 12-01-2003, 06:53 PM

Buckwheat - Why are you going off of your antispasmodic? You do not develop dependence on such a medication, but if going off, it is very important to gradually reduce the dosage over time, as you have noted.

I am not clear from your post whether you are having more spasms or if the medication does not seem to be controlling the spasms. If you can provide more specific information, I can help provide clearer guidelines for you. CRF

maryonwheels46 · 12-01-2003, 06:55 PM

I took Zanaflex for three years. But I didn't have bad spasams like jumpy legs. The thing I had was my legs like to bend back.Anyway, I take baclofen also so I weaned myself of slowly like you are talking about and things didnot get worse for me. At least I am off one more med.

Mary Sibley

buckwheat · 12-01-2003, 07:36 PM

CRF

i'm going off of the medication for a couple of reasons:

1) i am participating in some intensive exercise and the zanaflex weakens me to the point of not being able to work out my hardest or get the most from the muscle strength i do have, in both upper and lower regions.

2)it is my understanding that meds such as zanaflex also work against the nervous system. i'm trying to strengthen my nervous system and gain more voluntary control of my spasms.

3)my spasms got better for a while, but now my body doesn't react to the medication like it used to. the effects are shorter lsating and while the medication is working, i am in a complete daze. i want to see if with time my spasms will be the same while off the medication as they are on it.

i've tried every other med out there for spasms and all have been ineffective. zanaflex is the only one that has worked, and as i said before, it's effectiveness is decreasing.

you said the body doesn't build a dependence to the drug. if this is so, why must i ween off of it slowly?

any help is appreciated.

Rick1 · 12-02-2003, 04:22 AM

buckwheat - It sounds like you've thought it through pretty good and I think you've got it right. The anti-spasm meds inhibit the very nerve activity that you're trying to stimulate with your new exercise program. It is important to decrease your meds in stages just as it's important to increase your workout load in stages. Small incremental changes allow the body to adjust to whatever demands we place on it. BTW - I am able to manage my extreme spasticity without drugs. Just regular exercise and massage. Good luck.

The fight among men is not of good and evil, but opposing ideas of good.

SCI-Nurse · 12-02-2003, 08:17 PM

Buckwheat - thanks for your added information; I would agree that you have thought through your decision with deliberate considerations. I do know persons who have been able to eliminate antispasmodics. Generally, a program of exercise, including passive range of motion and stretching helps reduce some of the spasticity.

It does sound as though your body has developed some tolerance to the medication, i.e. the effect has become less than originally experienced. And yes, I am incorrect in saying that there is not a dependence on the medication. The body has developed dependence; that is the reason one weans off of a medication. Hope all goes well for you!! CRF

12-01-2003, 04:57 PM	#1
buckwheat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: USA Posts: 546	quitting medications and bodily backlash can anyone tell me if i should expect a bodily backlash by going off of my spasm medication (zanaflex). i'm currently taking 32 mg/day, a maximum dosage. i plan to ween off of the med over 4-6 weeks. will my spasms increase because my body has built up a dependence on the med? if the increase in spasms is due only to dependence, can i expect the spasms to subside again after some period of time? thanks

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12-01-2003, 06:53 PM	#2
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,345	Buckwheat - Why are you going off of your antispasmodic? You do not develop dependence on such a medication, but if going off, it is very important to gradually reduce the dosage over time, as you have noted. I am not clear from your post whether you are having more spasms or if the medication does not seem to be controlling the spasms. If you can provide more specific information, I can help provide clearer guidelines for you. CRF

12-01-2003, 06:55 PM	#3
maryonwheels46 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 1,488	I took Zanaflex for three years. But I didn't have bad spasams like jumpy legs. The thing I had was my legs like to bend back.Anyway, I take baclofen also so I weaned myself of slowly like you are talking about and things didnot get worse for me. At least I am off one more med. Mary Sibley

12-01-2003, 07:36 PM	#4
buckwheat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: USA Posts: 546	CRF i'm going off of the medication for a couple of reasons: 1) i am participating in some intensive exercise and the zanaflex weakens me to the point of not being able to work out my hardest or get the most from the muscle strength i do have, in both upper and lower regions. 2)it is my understanding that meds such as zanaflex also work against the nervous system. i'm trying to strengthen my nervous system and gain more voluntary control of my spasms. 3)my spasms got better for a while, but now my body doesn't react to the medication like it used to. the effects are shorter lsating and while the medication is working, i am in a complete daze. i want to see if with time my spasms will be the same while off the medication as they are on it. i've tried every other med out there for spasms and all have been ineffective. zanaflex is the only one that has worked, and as i said before, it's effectiveness is decreasing. you said the body doesn't build a dependence to the drug. if this is so, why must i ween off of it slowly? any help is appreciated.

12-02-2003, 04:22 AM	#5
Rick1 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 697	buckwheat - It sounds like you've thought it through pretty good and I think you've got it right. The anti-spasm meds inhibit the very nerve activity that you're trying to stimulate with your new exercise program. It is important to decrease your meds in stages just as it's important to increase your workout load in stages. Small incremental changes allow the body to adjust to whatever demands we place on it. BTW - I am able to manage my extreme spasticity without drugs. Just regular exercise and massage. Good luck. The fight among men is not of good and evil, but opposing ideas of good.

12-02-2003, 08:17 PM	#6
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,345	Buckwheat - thanks for your added information; I would agree that you have thought through your decision with deliberate considerations. I do know persons who have been able to eliminate antispasmodics. Generally, a program of exercise, including passive range of motion and stretching helps reduce some of the spasticity. It does sound as though your body has developed some tolerance to the medication, i.e. the effect has become less than originally experienced. And yes, I am incorrect in saying that there is not a dependence on the medication. The body has developed dependence; that is the reason one weans off of a medication. Hope all goes well for you!! CRF