For Baclofen Users...

Obvious Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and I understand medication may affect others differently. This is just my experience, a little internet research, and my personal opinion.

A couple of years ago, my neurologist at the time prescribed Baclofen. He prescribed two 10 mg pills four times daily. Woah – 80 mg daily! I never once followed those instructions. I did take 2 per night to start. It was so refreshing to wake up looser, no muscle spasms, and no leg tremors. That part was fantastic.

The part that wasn’t so fantastic was that I was a zombie! I could have slept most of the day. So I went down to 1 per night. Still… a zombie. So I cut the pills in half and took 5 mg per night for a while. Eventually, I wanted to stop taking it altogether and the short but horrendous withdrawal ride began.

If you are wanting to stop taking it, Google the symptoms and make sure you ask a doctor about it. I didn’t do that. After a seriously insane and uncomfortable week, I finally looked it up and read these withdrawal symptoms (among others): Withdrawal symptoms may include auditory hallucinations, visual hallucinations, tactile hallucinations, delusions, confusion, agitation, delirium, disorientation, fluctuation of consciousness, insomnia, dizziness, nausea, feeling faint, inattention, memory impairments, perceptual disturbances, pruritus/itching, anxiety, depersonalization, hypertonia, hyperthermia, formal thought disorder, psychosis, mania, mood disturbances, restlessness, and behavioral disturbances, tachycardia, seizures, tremors, autonomic dysfunction, hyperpyrexia, extreme muscle rigidity resembling neuroleptic malignant syndrome and rebound spasticity.

Eventually, the ride ended and I was off. Now that I’m free, I’m able to take one every 7-14 days. I can now experience the relief the medicine brings but I’m not locked in a prison knowing the crazy train ride I have to take to get off.

So my experience and opinion tells me this:  I think that the medicine must build up in the body. It can cause debilitating sleepiness. But when taken responsibly, I do so enjoy waking up relaxed. It’s a wonderful feeling. But those good mornings just can’t come daily. I’ll enjoy 2-3 per month instead. Be careful, my friends, and do your research.