3 replies to this topic

[Scorpio81]

Hi guys,

I currently take Baclofen orally, 20mg three times a day (so 60mg a day), and have been on this dose for about 9 months. This dose has been pretty effective at controlling the spasms, until a couple of weeks ago anyway. I've found that the spasticity has returned, as though I haven't taken my tablets at all. Has anyone else found that their body has got tolerant to Baclofen over time?
I spoke to my GP about it, and asked if I could increase slightly to see if that helps, but she told me 60mg is the maximum dose so I can't have it increased. Is this true? Or is it a case of it only being able to be increased under the instruction of a hospital consultant? I'm really not liking this return of the painful, uncontrollable spasms so would very much like to find a way of reducing them.

[Edinburgh Colin]

Scorpio81, on 15 September 2011 - 11:41 PM, said:

Hi guys,

I currently take Baclofen orally, 20mg three times a day (so 60mg a day), and have been on this dose for about 9 months. This dose has been pretty effective at controlling the spasms, until a couple of weeks ago anyway. I've found that the spasticity has returned, as though I haven't taken my tablets at all. Has anyone else found that their body has got tolerant to Baclofen over time?
I spoke to my GP about it, and asked if I could increase slightly to see if that helps, but she told me 60mg is the maximum dose so I can't have it increased. Is this true? Or is it a case of it only being able to be increased under the instruction of a hospital consultant? I'm really not liking this return of the painful, uncontrollable spasms so would very much like to find a way of reducing them.

I would be looking for other causes, uti, injury, constipation, other digestive problems or infections before you change your drugs if they have worked for a while.

Having said that things can change with time.

My understanding was 90mg was acceptable but ask a specialist spinal doc. You could add 5mg to your regular dose at 2 of the 3 regular doses and see if that helps.

[Trinity]

Scorpio81, on 15 September 2011 - 11:41 PM, said:

Hi guys,

I currently take Baclofen orally, 20mg three times a day (so 60mg a day), and have been on this dose for about 9 months. This dose has been pretty effective at controlling the spasms, until a couple of weeks ago anyway. I've found that the spasticity has returned, as though I haven't taken my tablets at all. Has anyone else found that their body has got tolerant to Baclofen over time?
I spoke to my GP about it, and asked if I could increase slightly to see if that helps, but she told me 60mg is the maximum dose so I can't have it increased. Is this true? Or is it a case of it only being able to be increased under the instruction of a hospital consultant? I'm really not liking this return of the painful, uncontrollable spasms so would very much like to find a way of reducing them.

Have you ruled out any of the other possible causes for increased spasms? The usual, wound, ingrowing toenail, UTI, constipation, pressure sore etc etc. Are they worse at certain times of the day?
As far as I'm aware 60mg is HALF the maximum dose
If they are worse at a certain time of the day then you could try an extra tablet at the dose closest to that but do try and find out if there is a reason they have been increased rather than masking the symptoms
If your GP isn't happy then go and see your consultant to prescribe an increased dose (you don't want to be taking extra and then run out, going cold turkey on baclofen is seriously NOT fun!)

[Scorpio81]

Ah thanks guys, you're so right about trying to find a cause before drugging myself up even further - can't believe I didn't think about that myself!

I know that my bladder issues and leg spasms are very much linked - when my bladder is full and I start to leak, my right leg goes bonkers! As soon as i'm empty though, things seem to calm down. I do suffer with constipation, but I know i'm not completely 'backed up' because i've been keeping on top of that side of things with the Peristeen irrigation system, although to be fair it's not clearing me out as much as it could do as I just can't get enough water pumped in. Anyway, i'm fairly confident that that's not the cause. I've checked my toes,feet and legs for cuts, blisters and bruises - all clear. I've noticed that it tends to be worse in the mornings, after i've got up and had breakfast etc, but I have had it randomly kick off at other times of the day. I think i'm actually going to keep a record of when it happens, to see if it correlates with any particular activities. My back pain has been particularly bad lately, so i'm wondering if that is a factor too. I'll write it all down to see if there's a pattern, and can then present that to my consultant.

Thanks so much for your help