How much oral baclofen, prior to pump?

How much oral baclofen, prior to pump? Rate Topic:

#1 ruthc

Group: Guests

Posted 26 June 2006 - 12:01 AM

I just found this web site while researching the baclofen pump! Thank you, everyone, for all of the shared info! I sustained a T4 SCI 16 years ago. Over the years I have developed increased spasticity & bilateral ankle contractures. My physiatrist just increased my oral baclofen from 20 mg 2Xday to 15 mg 4Xsay. With this increase my spasticity is improved about 50%. Right now the outpatient Rehab Center where I am receiving my care (St Jude's hospital in Fullerton, California) is recommending both the baclofen pump and bilateral ankle tendon release surgey. (Recent Stage 1 & 2 pressure ulcers on both feet have lead to these recommendations.)

For anyone who decided to have the pump implantation, what dose of oral baclofen were you on before deciding to have the pump? Thank you in advance for your hep!

#2 brackman22

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Joined: 26-July 06
Country:Small Town, Indiana USA
Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:C5-6

Posted 30 July 2006 - 01:03 AM

I was on 80mg/day. I think it was taken 20mg. 4 times/day. Plus I was taking valium 30 mg./day. I've had my pump since 1999. I can't tell you how much it has done. The pumps can be set and tweaked untill you feel comfortable with your spasms. Some people like no spasms; others prefer to have a little for muscle tone. There is no more having to remember meds and no drowsiness, if you have any. They just refill the pump every month or two (depending on your dose). There is a port on the front of the pump and they access it right through the skin. No big deal. I would kill for my pump. Spasms before i got it were terrible. I highly reccomend it.

Brett

People with courage and character always seem sinister to the rest. --Hermann Hesse

Morality, like art, means drawing a line someplace. --Oscar Wilde

#3 BlownM3

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Posted 30 July 2006 - 03:32 AM

I am taking 150 mg and it hardly helps. I am going in for my test dose on Tuesday. Hopefully this is the answer I am looking for.

#4 Lillehammer94

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Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:Cerebral Palsy

Posted 30 July 2006 - 01:08 PM

I wasn't taking oral Baclofen before my pump (though I had been on it several years before) because of the side effects but I was on a low dose of valium. I found high doses of anything made me feel drowsy and really out of it so I chose not to do much orally. Botox was also injected into my legs for spasticity and that didn't do anything either. I'm coming up on 3 years since my pump and it is one of the best decisions I've made. I am about to start my second year of college.

I've had many tendon releases including an Achilies release 3 weeks ago and these are also beneficial. It has been what has kept me walking since age 2.

Good Luck!

#5 meme

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Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:L1TOL5 NERVE DAMAGE

Posted 13 August 2006 - 12:28 PM

[size=6]i am taking 90mg of baclofen a day and 36 mg of zanaflex a day plus dizapan at night and they do not touch them my leg muscle are way to strong to control i keep falling out of my wheel chair due to my spasms