33 replies to this topic

[Vanessamaee]

I had a post a couple months ago looking for alternatives to help reduce spasms. Since then I have tried MANY different options. Stretching, exercise, pot (once, made me pee), hot showers and heat packs, massages, and even zanaflex (which caused hallucinations, yay! so I only took it once). I am now 6 and a half months post injury and my spasms are terrible. Not just terrible. They are litterally interfering with everything I do. On a college tour I constantly had to pick my feet up every 30 seconds because they were spasming and falling off. When I transfer my legs kick straight out in front of me and have caused me to fall, as I roll (especially going around turns) my hips and legs spasm and throw me into the back of the chair and I have to stop moving until the spasms subsides and I am getting pretty sick of it all. I have finally decided to start baclofen (I will be starting tomorrow morning) and I feel totally depressed about it. I feel like Im almost giving up in a way. That starting baclofen will mean I will regain nothing else back, and will be drowsey and feel drugged up for the rest of my life. and I dont want to feel like that. I live an active lifestyle and I dont want to live the rest of my life (especially since I am only 17) feeling drugged. I guess my question is what kind of reactions have you guys had from baclofen? Any advice would be awesome, I feel like a complete quitter but the spasms are out of hand and are now controlling my life.

[quadinva]

Looking back, I was very spasmy a couple months after I became SCI, to the point of taking baclofen. 3 years post and Im pretty much spasm free, and havent taken any bac in 2 years maybe. Maybe your body still needs some time to adjust, I hope.

[Denna]

After a while the drugged feeling goes away and your not tired anymore like when you first start it. Im sorry you feel like a quitter. You really shouldnt beat yourself up over it. If your going to regain then you will. Baclofen wont stop that. It just makes it take longer. I hope everything works out Hun.

[goose]

Don't ever think of yourself as a quitter! I was put on Baclofen while in rehab. My spasms were so bad I'd kick my shoes off at least 50 times a day. I stayed on it a couple of years and then weaned myself off. Over the years, I learned to control or tame them. I taught myself to wiggle my toes...it took almost a year of trying but finally did it. Now,when I feel a spasm coming on,I curl my toes under and somehow it breaks the cycle. I can also lean to one side and it makes them stop.

I first started accepting them as a form of exercise and tried to work them to my advantage. Try to learn your body...notice the things that set them off. Always take mental notes...see if you can figure out what triggers them. When they bother you, do they get worse? Sometimes just relaxing and taking a deep breath helps. Mine always were the worse when I was in a public situation and I thought everyone was watching....my nerves! Once I decided to go with the flow and not let them upset me, they calmed way down.

It took me a few years to understand my spasms but now I have control over them. However, there are times when they get out of control. UTI's, yeast infections (from taking an antibotic), shoes that might be too tight, going from the chair to the bed or visa versa....just a few things that trigger them. Everyone is different...only you know your body and your limits. Oh, when I DON'T drink enough water I can feel my body tense up...a signal spasms are coming.

You're still a newbie...lots of trials and errors ahead. You have to call the shots...don't let doctors take control after all it's your body your life. Do what you feel comfortable doing!!!

[Tetracyclone]

I'm confused, VM. You could 100% victim of the myth that ALL drugs are evil. I know you are of the generation taught to "just say no" but that was meant to resist illegal drugs, not doctor's scripts given because you are sick. I am the first to admit intense spasms make me lose my mind. I generally think about suicide when my spasticity is very bad. At the onset, around 4 or 6 weeks, they caused damage to some leg muscles that I have spent 3 years trying to heal and repair. I resisted the doctor's offer of baclofen because I "don't like drugs". Stupid tetra did herself permanent damage because she thought she did not understand that the rules of her life had changed with this spinal cord injury.

Are you taking advantage of a student counselor? I think you deserve a lot of help with this.

I PMed you explaining my own use of drugs. Do my own posts, or those of so many others using drugs, seem like the work of drowsy people with muddled minds? (ok, sometimes...)

Spasms can be described as a type of seizure. Baclofen is the best tolerated anti-seizure drug historically used for epilepsy. People can die from epileptic seizures which, if I have it right, originate from brain dysfunction. Our spasms result from spinal cord dysfunction, a different part of the neurological system. Would you think of an epileptic as a quitter for taking their drugs? Of course not. Your spasms threaten to ruin your university plans, your LIFE plans, but your spasm tormented body/mind is telling you the possible problem of drowsiness is worse that the real problem of spasms making your life and travel unbearable.

I suspect once you test the drug you will think MORE clearly, rather than less. Some of us do not tolerate baclofen well, but you are going to try it because you have to. Some who do not do well on some other drug. Most of us find help! You will.

Keep us informed.

[A trophy guy]

Wow. As someone who never experienced spacticity, I always tried to imagine what it was like. My brief time here on the board has really shown me just how very lucky I have been. I am sorry things are so rough for you now; they will get better. This I know.

[greybeard]

Listen to Tetracyclone. She's a wise old bird.

[knightrider]

I'd just like to say, Baclofen doesn't make you drowsy or feel drugged, i feel completely normal and have been on baclofen since rehab nearly 7 years ago. It's a brilliant drug, without it i can't move without my legs going nuts, i can't even push my chair without my legs jumping or my stomach throwing me back, i'd probably be suicidal without it. You should definitely give it a go, you'll reap the benefits and can then get on living life without the annoying spasms. I only take 40mg, thats 2 tablets twice a day and that's the minimum i can take before spasms take over, but just enough to keep muscle tone, you can find a balance point too. Side effect warnings are always put on drugs, not everyone gets them. Baclofen is fine and has helped so many of us, i can bet nearly everyone on here who has spasms takes Baclofen, do we all feel drowsy and drugged up? I bet hardly anyone does. There's no harm in trying and i bet within a few days to a week you'll think back and say "wow why didn't i take it sooner and what was the fuss about" It's a life saver....go pop a few and start enjoying life again

Edited by knightrider, 13 November 2011 - 03:34 PM.

[tsh3406]

Vanessamaee, on 13 November 2011 - 03:10 AM, said:

I had a post a couple months ago looking for alternatives to help reduce spasms. Since then I have tried MANY different options. Stretching, exercise, pot (once, made me pee), hot showers and heat packs, massages, and even zanaflex (which caused hallucinations, yay! so I only took it once). I am now 6 and a half months post injury and my spasms are terrible. Not just terrible. They are litterally interfering with everything I do. On a college tour I constantly had to pick my feet up every 30 seconds because they were spasming and falling off. When I transfer my legs kick straight out in front of me and have caused me to fall, as I roll (especially going around turns) my hips and legs spasm and throw me into the back of the chair and I have to stop moving until the spasms subsides and I am getting pretty sick of it all. I have finally decided to start baclofen (I will be starting tomorrow morning) and I feel totally depressed about it. I feel like Im almost giving up in a way. That starting baclofen will mean I will regain nothing else back, and will be drowsey and feel drugged up for the rest of my life. and I dont want to feel like that. I live an active lifestyle and I dont want to live the rest of my life (especially since I am only 17) feeling drugged. I guess my question is what kind of reactions have you guys had from baclofen? Any advice would be awesome, I feel like a complete quitter but the spasms are out of hand and are now controlling my life.

I don't know who is telling you that baclofen does those things, but just researching on the internet will tell you what it's few side effects are. I was on it for 17 years, never had any side effects and had an unreal returnn in sensory/motor control while on it. The baclofen had no impact on the return, either way. You may have a negative reaction to it, you will need to find the dose that works for you, but you do that with ANY drug. When I was first injured, I had severe spasms, just like the ones you describe and also the ones that would cause me to kick some one across the room, or uncontrollable foot tapping. The only thing that had any affect on them, and they tried everything the rehab hospital had to offer, was huge amounts of baclofen, 3 times a day. It's not very likely that your spasms will go away anytime soon. After 20 years, if I let all the 4AP get out of my system, they come right back. It won't go away on it's own, and baclofen is the safest, most effective way to control them for most people. I'm saying all this only to encourage you to see a nuero surgeon/rehabilitation specialist as soon as possible, and take control of this. There are some very wellknown ones near by that can tell you what really to expect from taking it....

Tetracyclone, on 13 November 2011 - 07:31 AM, said:

I PMed you explaining my own use of drugs. Do my own posts, or those of so many others using drugs, seem like the work of drowsy people with muddled minds? (ok, sometimes...)

Sorry, it's just that a friend gave me this EXCEPTIONAL bottle of Patron.... ;)

[greybeard]

tsh3406, on 13 November 2011 - 03:40 PM, said:

Tetracyclone, on 13 November 2011 - 07:31 AM, said:

I PMed you explaining my own use of drugs. Do my own posts, or those of so many others using drugs, seem like the work of drowsy people with muddled minds? (ok, sometimes...)

Sorry, it's just that a friend gave me this EXCEPTIONAL bottle of Patron.... ;)

Haha! I could have sworn Tetra was talking about me.

[Vanessamaee]

I think tetra is partially right when she mentioned how my "generation" (does that make me sound old or young?) is raised to say no to drugs. But it's also a different situation. Baclofen is obviously not illegal so thats not why Im having such a difficult time coming to terms with taking it, its the fact that Im 17 and I dont want to be having to take pills for the rest of my life. I am glad to see that you guys havent felt "drugged by it though".

This morning I went to take it, and I just couldnt do it. I've decided (yes, I know, once again.) to try other ways to reducs the spasms. Like you guys have said, I'm still a "Newbie" to this whole sci thing and maybe once my body starts regualting more (my hands stop jacking up and I can keep myself from freezing all the time etc) the spasms will start to subside. Also I am getting my chair Dec 1 (exactly 6 months since I first ordered it lol) and it has an angled footrest and I am hoping that this will help with the issue of my feet falling of. This is the most annoying in my opinon. I have learned how to quickly relax my spasms (I apply pressure on the tendons/muscles under my knees and they losen up, its just them kicking themselves off the footrest that pisses me off.
Thank you all for your kind words and help, Im determined to find a way around baclofen and hopefully Il be able to find it.

Also I found a pimple on my butt that might have something to do with their new extreme lol!

[tsh3406]

Vanessamaee, on 13 November 2011 - 05:01 PM, said:

Also I found a pimple on my butt that might have something to do with their new extreme lol!

WAIT!!! I know that joke!!!! lmao ;)

[Snakeye]

As you get older you will find you must take more and more drugs to just stay alive, part of the aging process....Better get used to it...Besides, is this some sort of news flash to you?..."I have a SCI and have to take a pill." Well yaaaaa..If taking baclofen is worst challange you ever face in life ya got it made in the shade...We have people on this board who take morphine, dilaudid and other opiads every day plus baclofen and tranqs and on and on..Buck up..this ain't no bigger..Ya'll survive...By the way, lots people your generation love taking drugs...

[Vanessamaee]

Snakeye, on 13 November 2011 - 05:16 PM, said:

As you get older you will find you must take more and more drugs to just stay alive, part of the aging process....Better get used to it...Besides, is this some sort of news flash to you?..."I have a SCI and have to take a pill." Well yaaaaa..If taking baclofen is worst challange you ever face in life ya got it made in the shade...We have people on this board who take morphine, dilaudid and other opiads every day plus baclofen and tranqs and on and on..Buck up..this ain't no bigger..Ya'll survive...By the way, lots people your generation love taking drugs...

Just because you have a SCI does NOT mean you have to take a pill. I know a guy who is a T12 and only takes a stool softener. I ONLY take a stool softener as of right now. Also getting older doesnt mean you have to take pills to stay alive. My parents are both in their 50's and neither one takes any pills. My grandmother, who is in her 80's takes a vitamin. and thats all. Taking baclofen is NOT by any means the worst challenge I have faced in my life and I feel that it is completely rude to acuse that. My point is, I am 17, I dont want to start becoming dependent on more and more drugs at such an early age. Therefor I am looking for alternatives instead of the easy way out.

And seriously? Buck up? Try a go round in the ring and let me know what you think.

Edited by Vanessamaee, 13 November 2011 - 06:09 PM.

[Edinburgh Colin]

I take 4 x 10mg per day and do not seem to have any side effects. I didn't want to raise the dose when mine got worse at 18 months post so I also take Dantrolene 4 x 50mg/day . If you have any difficulties with Baclofen then you could try Dantrolene.
Whatever you do change a little and change slowly and keep an eye on the changes. Only you can find the right dose you need whether increasing or decreasing the dose.
Good luck.
EC

[greybeard]

I know I'm an old bugger, but some of us do know what we're talking about (Honest).

If I had resisted all the prescribed medications (I prefer that word to "drugs") I currently have to take, I would certainly have been dead long ago. The list is long enough that I'm really glad I'm so old that I qualify for free prescriptions. I'm not a junkie. I'm not spaced out at any time. I'm not falling asleep in my porridge. Simply, I take them all because they are good for me and help me to function as normally as possible.

I just cannot understand why you are resisting so hard to take something that will undoubtedly make your life better/easier. There is no stigma attached to taking prescribed medicines. Your medics would not prescribe them unless it was believed that you would benefit from the Baclofen.

Now then, take your medicine like a man (oops!) big grown-up girl. Or we'll send the boys round to hold your nose. OK?

Edited by greybeard, 13 November 2011 - 06:18 PM.

[Vanessamaee]

greybeard, on 13 November 2011 - 06:17 PM, said:

I know I'm an old bugger, but some of us do know what we're talking about (Honest).

If I had resisted all the prescribed medications (I prefer that word to "drugs") I currently have to take, I would certainly have been dead long ago. The list is long enough that I'm really glad I'm so old that I qualify for free prescriptions. I'm not a junkie. I'm not spaced out at any time. I'm not falling asleep in my porridge. Simply, I take them all because they are good for me and help me to function as normally as possible.

I just cannot understand why you are resisting so hard to take something that will undoubtedly make your life better/easier. There is no stigma attached to taking prescribed medicines. Your medics would not prescribe them unless it was believed that you would benefit from the Baclofen.

Now then, take your medicine like a man (oops!) big grown-up girl. Or we'll send the boys round to hold your nose. OK?

Haha! Thank you for that, It cooled off some steam I had. I agree with you on the prescribed medications. I think half of the reason why (maybe even more) I dont want to take stuff is because the fact saying/thinking that I'm on drugs, makes me sound like a druggie. and Im not.
And thank you EC I will definatly talk to my DR. about Dantrolene. If I do go onto something,I feel like Id want to keep it as much of a low dose as possible too.

[tsh3406]

Vanessamaee, on 13 November 2011 - 06:23 PM, said:

greybeard, on 13 November 2011 - 06:17 PM, said:

I know I'm an old bugger, but some of us do know what we're talking about (Honest).

If I had resisted all the prescribed medications (I prefer that word to "drugs") I currently have to take, I would certainly have been dead long ago. The list is long enough that I'm really glad I'm so old that I qualify for free prescriptions. I'm not a junkie. I'm not spaced out at any time. I'm not falling asleep in my porridge. Simply, I take them all because they are good for me and help me to function as normally as possible.

I just cannot understand why you are resisting so hard to take something that will undoubtedly make your life better/easier. There is no stigma attached to taking prescribed medicines. Your medics would not prescribe them unless it was believed that you would benefit from the Baclofen.

Now then, take your medicine like a man (oops!) big grown-up girl. Or we'll send the boys round to hold your nose. OK?

Haha! Thank you for that, It cooled off some steam I had. I agree with you on the prescribed medications. I think half of the reason why (maybe even more) I dont want to take stuff is because the fact saying/thinking that I'm on drugs, makes me sound like a druggie. and Im not.
And thank you EC I will definatly talk to my DR. about Dantrolene. If I do go onto something,I feel like Id want to keep it as much of a low dose as possible too.

Help me out here, I'm trying to understand. I also know you could kick my ass, so be gentle....


How is trying baclofen any different that trying xanawhich or smokin' the reefer? You've already done that. Also, who is even going to know you are taking it? Chances are, it's going to aid your recovery, when you are constantly fighting spasms, you are not getting the most out og your therapy. The way you describe it, taking baclofen is not the easy way out, it's the hardest for you....

[Vanessamaee]

tsh3406, on 13 November 2011 - 06:57 PM, said:

Vanessamaee, on 13 November 2011 - 06:23 PM, said:

greybeard, on 13 November 2011 - 06:17 PM, said:

I know I'm an old bugger, but some of us do know what we're talking about (Honest).

If I had resisted all the prescribed medications (I prefer that word to "drugs") I currently have to take, I would certainly have been dead long ago. The list is long enough that I'm really glad I'm so old that I qualify for free prescriptions. I'm not a junkie. I'm not spaced out at any time. I'm not falling asleep in my porridge. Simply, I take them all because they are good for me and help me to function as normally as possible.

I just cannot understand why you are resisting so hard to take something that will undoubtedly make your life better/easier. There is no stigma attached to taking prescribed medicines. Your medics would not prescribe them unless it was believed that you would benefit from the Baclofen.

Now then, take your medicine like a man (oops!) big grown-up girl. Or we'll send the boys round to hold your nose. OK?

Haha! Thank you for that, It cooled off some steam I had. I agree with you on the prescribed medications. I think half of the reason why (maybe even more) I dont want to take stuff is because the fact saying/thinking that I'm on drugs, makes me sound like a druggie. and Im not.
And thank you EC I will definatly talk to my DR. about Dantrolene. If I do go onto something,I feel like Id want to keep it as much of a low dose as possible too.

Help me out here, I'm trying to understand. I also know you could kick my ass, so be gentle....


How is trying baclofen any different that trying xanawhich or smokin' the reefer? You've already done that. Also, who is even going to know you are taking it? Chances are, it's going to aid your recovery, when you are constantly fighting spasms, you are not getting the most out og your therapy. The way you describe it, taking baclofen is not the easy way out, it's the hardest for you....

I dont get mean unless someone really pisses me off (: so no worries lol plus youve been extremely helpful since the begining. I dont bite the hand that helps. The zanaflex described to me by my doctor is a alternative to baclofen without as serious side effects. She said with zanaflex you can go on and off of it whenever you want with out having to build up or decrease dosage. This caused hallucinations and I couldnt fall asleep. Marijuana I know is another muscle relaxant, although it does make you feel "high" that you too, can go on and off whenever, however, this relxed everything causing me to have an accident. Baclofen, as described to me by my doctor, is "a serious medication that must be taken, every day, and there are serious side effects such as seizures if you forget a dose or come off of it suddenly. It will cause you to be drowsy and feel cloudy, but these are common and after a couple of months you will learn how to function with these feelings. Baclofen can also make it hard to think clearly and is a 'forever' pill that once we build up your dose, you will not be able to come off" I dont like the sounds of any of that. Also, I am a teenager. I easily forget things. Remembering to take antibiotics when I have to is a pain in itself. and its not just baclofen. I try to stay off as much as possible. I am not on anything for nerve pain even though I have been offered that as well. I dont even like taking tylenol.

Once I was told about baclofen and then all the possible side effects I cant bring myself to start taking a possibly dangerous medication. I aso dont tolerate medications very well. There are numerous antibiotcs that I cant even take. Nitrofuriton being one of them.

[A trophy guy]

About 4 years ago, I began getting horrible migraine headaches. And I mean horrible. They would come and not respond to anything; no pain killer would help at all and I would be totally incapacitated for up to a week at a time. I would be totally unable to eat, sleep or function at all. At my worst point, I wished for death. I wanted out of my suffering.

Well finally, after about 2 years of hell, I finally found this clinic which specialized in neurological pain disorders and migraine. After several trials and errors, I found a regimen of preventative medicines that helped keep the migraines at bay.

These medicines are SHITTY! They are all medicines which are prescribed off-label to prevent migraine. This means that they are medicines which were originally meant to be used to treat other conditions, but have been found to be efficacious in treating migraine. They are a trycyclic antidepressant, a blood pressure medication, and a anti-seizure medication. And ALL of these medications must be taken together or none of them work. It's like a synergistic effect.

Now, as you might imagine, the side effects from this drug-cocktail were fairly significant for the first year that I was on it. I HATED them! SO MUCH! I still do! I gained weight, I always had a desert-like dry mouth, I worried about losing my hair, I struggled with my brain for a bit (!) and on and on.

However, I had to keep things in perspective. How was my life, now that I no longer dealt with the COMPLETE HELL ON EARTH that was life with unending migraine? And I had to admit, it was miraculously better. Once the side effects basically evened out, I don't really even notice the drugs now. And I wouldn't wish migraine on my worst enemy.

Yes, the drugs are not ideal. Yes, I don't like the drugs. However, I like the migraines a whole lot less. Just think about the totality of your life, in regards to your spasms and the use of baclofen. What would you have the most problem with? You are young and you have a whole lot of living to do. Don't let spasms get in the way.

[tsh3406]

That last part makes a whole lot more sense, I just couldn't understand why those two, but not the other. Not that you need to justify anything, it just wasn't clicking in my brain, lol. I just want you to find something that works, I remember how frustrating it was, it made everyday activities almost impossible....

[Harry3082]

Your too Strong to be a Quitter!!! You've already gotten through the part that was the toughest for Me^. I'm sure you'll get over the hurdle your facing now, and clear the next hurdle as well.!!!

[Snakeye]

Vanessamaee, on 13 November 2011 - 06:09 PM, said:

Snakeye, on 13 November 2011 - 05:16 PM, said:

As you get older you will find you must take more and more drugs to just stay alive, part of the aging process....Better get used to it...Besides, is this some sort of news flash to you?..."I have a SCI and have to take a pill." Well yaaaaa..If taking baclofen is worst challange you ever face in life ya got it made in the shade...We have people on this board who take morphine, dilaudid and other opiads every day plus baclofen and tranqs and on and on..Buck up..this ain't no bigger..Ya'll survive...By the way, lots people your generation love taking drugs...

Just because you have a SCI does NOT mean you have to take a pill. I know a guy who is a T12 and only takes a stool softener. I ONLY take a stool softener as of right now. Also getting older doesnt mean you have to take pills to stay alive. My parents are both in their 50's and neither one takes any pills. My grandmother, who is in her 80's takes a vitamin. and thats all. Taking baclofen is NOT by any means the worst challenge I have faced in my life and I feel that it is completely rude to acuse that. My point is, I am 17, I dont want to start becoming dependent on more and more drugs at such an early age. Therefor I am looking for alternatives instead of the easy way out.

And seriously? Buck up? Try a go round in the ring and let me know what you think.

There are exceptions to every rule ,even having to take meds...Yes, there are a very few people who make it thru life without taking meds and a slim minority with sci don't either....Look, you admit to smoking pot then whine about not wanting to take "drugs". Makes no sense...but it does make perfect sense that one who suffers from sci may have to take prescribed meds...and hey..."Try a round in the ring and let me know what you think?" ..What the hell does that mean?...You think that impresses anyone?...Not hardly...That's what I think...

[Vanessamaee]

Snakeye, on 14 November 2011 - 02:57 AM, said:

Vanessamaee, on 13 November 2011 - 06:09 PM, said:

Snakeye, on 13 November 2011 - 05:16 PM, said:

As you get older you will find you must take more and more drugs to just stay alive, part of the aging process....Better get used to it...Besides, is this some sort of news flash to you?..."I have a SCI and have to take a pill." Well yaaaaa..If taking baclofen is worst challange you ever face in life ya got it made in the shade...We have people on this board who take morphine, dilaudid and other opiads every day plus baclofen and tranqs and on and on..Buck up..this ain't no bigger..Ya'll survive...By the way, lots people your generation love taking drugs...

Just because you have a SCI does NOT mean you have to take a pill. I know a guy who is a T12 and only takes a stool softener. I ONLY take a stool softener as of right now. Also getting older doesnt mean you have to take pills to stay alive. My parents are both in their 50's and neither one takes any pills. My grandmother, who is in her 80's takes a vitamin. and thats all. Taking baclofen is NOT by any means the worst challenge I have faced in my life and I feel that it is completely rude to acuse that. My point is, I am 17, I dont want to start becoming dependent on more and more drugs at such an early age. Therefor I am looking for alternatives instead of the easy way out.

And seriously? Buck up? Try a go round in the ring and let me know what you think.

There are exceptions to every rule ,even having to take meds...Yes, there are a very few people who make it thru life without taking meds and a slim minority with sci don't either....Look, you admit to smoking pot then whine about not wanting to take "drugs". Makes no sense...but it does make perfect sense that one who suffers from sci may have to take prescribed meds...and hey..."Try a round in the ring and let me know what you think?" ..What the hell does that mean?...You think that impresses anyone?...Not hardly...That's what I think...

Its an expression. Like "walk a mile in someone elses shoes". If you wouldve have bothered to read anymore of the thread you would see my reasoning to why I am hesitant to taking baclofen. Thank You for your criticism but you have been absolutely no help in answering any of my question.

[Snakeye]

Vanessamaee, on 14 November 2011 - 03:04 AM, said:

Snakeye, on 14 November 2011 - 02:57 AM, said:

Vanessamaee, on 13 November 2011 - 06:09 PM, said:

Snakeye, on 13 November 2011 - 05:16 PM, said:

As you get older you will find you must take more and more drugs to just stay alive, part of the aging process....Better get used to it...Besides, is this some sort of news flash to you?..."I have a SCI and have to take a pill." Well yaaaaa..If taking baclofen is worst challange you ever face in life ya got it made in the shade...We have people on this board who take morphine, dilaudid and other opiads every day plus baclofen and tranqs and on and on..Buck up..this ain't no bigger..Ya'll survive...By the way, lots people your generation love taking drugs...

Just because you have a SCI does NOT mean you have to take a pill. I know a guy who is a T12 and only takes a stool softener. I ONLY take a stool softener as of right now. Also getting older doesnt mean you have to take pills to stay alive. My parents are both in their 50's and neither one takes any pills. My grandmother, who is in her 80's takes a vitamin. and thats all. Taking baclofen is NOT by any means the worst challenge I have faced in my life and I feel that it is completely rude to acuse that. My point is, I am 17, I dont want to start becoming dependent on more and more drugs at such an early age. Therefor I am looking for alternatives instead of the easy way out.

And seriously? Buck up? Try a go round in the ring and let me know what you think.

There are exceptions to every rule ,even having to take meds...Yes, there are a very few people who make it thru life without taking meds and a slim minority with sci don't either....Look, you admit to smoking pot then whine about not wanting to take "drugs". Makes no sense...but it does make perfect sense that one who suffers from sci may have to take prescribed meds...and hey..."Try a round in the ring and let me know what you think?" ..What the hell does that mean?...You think that impresses anyone?...Not hardly...That's what I think...

Its an expression. Like "walk a mile in someone elses shoes". If you wouldve have bothered to read anymore of the thread you would see my reasoning to why I am hesitant to taking baclofen. Thank You for your criticism but you have been absolutely no help in answering any of my question.

Your welcome...That expression means something else in my world and most of us do walk in your shoes when it comes to SCI...

[lavenderthistle]

Whatever you decide to do, know that you aren't a quitter.

I felt like a bit of a quitter when I had to start relying on a couple of prescriptions at night. I'm little miss naturals, (mole people and fairies abound, many of you know what I mean) I started a thread about natural remedies. Then I end up adding in prescriptions? (Lol) I go with naturals as much as possible. I can usually make it through the day on herbals, but some days the nerve pain and the spasms and tension do get out of hand and I have to take prescriptions or my family might try to locate some cyanide to help me relax.

I realized I wasn't a quitter as long as I stay true to myself and do what works best in a given day for me and the peace of others around me.

As long as you can look at yourself and know you're doing the best thing/things for yourself It's all good.

I also am a moron and immediately throw away side effect info. I know a cessation of breathing can be a serious side effect, as can hives....I can usually just ignore the rest.....even that pesky tail I've grown!

[goose]

My SCI was when I was 24. I was given meds in rehab but I was like you...I didn't want to be on meds the rest of my life. I know some people who can't survive without them BUT that's not me. Maybe I'm hard headed too but I weaned myself off and NEVER have regretted it. I take D-Mannose(natural) for UTI prevention and that's all. I do take vitamins(sometimes). I didn't want anything that wasn't 100% neccessary...but that's me. I 've been living with SCI for 25 years now. I've learned to listen to my body and you can too. DO NOT feel pressured into taking something you don't feel comfortable with.

I still have the toe tapping but my legs haven't turned into peg legs either. I can still wear shorts and not feel embrassed about the way they look. I think my spasms have kept them looking some what normal...no, they aren't as shapely as before but they aren't sticks either. I know this is vanity BUT it's also big emotional booster. When you look like crap, you feel like crap....spasms are a small price to pay and in my opinion good exercise.

You can live with SCI and be pill free! I've done it for at least 20 years. I will say every doctor has always wanted me to try something for pain, spasms or whatever......my answer is always NO THANKS. I didn't want my body to be immune to anything in case one day I really needed it.

your body your decision!!!

[Tetracyclone]

OK, it is established that pill popping is a quasi religious issue.

Vanessa, regardless of our anyone's opinion, including your doctor, the deeper principle here is that each of us must trust ourselves and thread our own way through life. If your inner voice screams "not that", or "not that now", then you do as you are doing- continue to look for alternatives.

I suggest you copy and past all of your own posts into a Word document, and keep it dated. That will give you a record of your own mood swings that is undistorted by memory. No, I'm not saying you are moody, I'm saying everyone who suffers pain and spasms is moody. It will help you get some objectivity about your situation and your own response to it.

Also, your new tilite will come with a foot strap. You will love it!

[qbounce]

I suggest, after all is said and done, you simply try a low dose as prescribed by your doctor for a very limited period of, say 4 months, and see what results.

I'm on 20mg of baclofen, and never felt tired from it, nor did I have any other adverse affects. It only did exactly what it was intended for, and that was to arrest the spasms in my legs that made other activities of daily living difficult.

If for whatever reason you're not comfortable with it, then you'll have your answer. Not based on your fears or any preconceived notions of how you think it might affect you, but through factual trial.

It's a long road ahead and we're all just trying to make it to the next rest stop . . . .

[ClaraTaylor]

Quitting is when you give up on life and stay in bed all day, wave good bye to your hopes and dreams. When you wont even try to make yourself a drink or meal. When you only wash because people remind you too.

What you're doing now. That's living.