Side Effects and Adverse Reactions to Baclofen

[Zman]

Beatle,

I think that people will probably read both this thread and the consolidated thread (at least they should). This way they can make an informed choice. Meaning, if your job involves you operating heavy machinery, you should probably know that bac causes drowsiness.

In any case, I dont see anything on here that is all that scary. In my case, i have had no side effects except for some sleepiness.

[hopeful123]

i think this is very helpful for people who are new to bac or those trying to find out more about it - knowledge is power. is anyone seeking counselling/therapy of any sort while using bac?

[rolypoly]

I think this thread is very important. These drugs are strong medications. They are hard at work on the wiring in your head. I've had some very scary experiences with -anti-seizure, migraine drugs...when not drinking. I've been on a number of them..for nerve pain
Passing out and seizures are not a small thing.

I am still thinking about topamax....I have been on it before and stopped because of the side effects..
Roly

[beatle]

no longer relevant

[veritas]

I am going to disagree here, Beatle. That is because I think that I have had the worst side effects. I have not been put off, in fact the opposite, but I have realised that I made many dangerous assuptions. I do think that if bac is not treated with the respect it deserves, death could occur.

I also think people might go on not quite sober and might take chances. We are a very high risk group as we don't always read labels.

I am going to post my experience and my thoughts on bac and its very specific interaction.

Zen asked me to copy and paste, but since my first reaction, I have had another so I am going to consolidate the two.

I had been on bac for about 8 days and had titrated up to 40mg daily. My side effects at that point were light headededness, mild euphoria, nausea.

First mistake: I did not wait for my side effects to settle before titrating up.

Second mistake: I drank.

I remained af for the 8 days and then on impulse, rather than craving, decided to test the drug.

It was after work and thank goodness, I was with people I knew. I must have had 3 drinks in a short space of time.

I suddently started vomiting, became incoherant, lost my balance and was behaving as though I had gulped a litre of whiskey. I have no memory of certain periods, I had a complete blackout.

I could not stop vomiting and retching once home. My daughter brought a bucket to my room, as I had no balance. She also opened all the windows to take away the smell of vomit. At some point I remember rising to a state of consciousness and feeling the cold. It is midwinter here and I was sitting on the floor in close to freezing temperatures. I could not move, I was paralysed. It took about 2 hours before I could get into bed.

Next day, I stayed in bed, I still had poor balance, was extremely nauseaus and felt utterly, utterly finished.

Yesterday I had a similar experience, without alcohol.

It was a lot less serious, but I spent the day vomiting and feeling drunk. I still feel light headed and dizzy.

My thoughts are:

Like many, I have read reports and seen doses way above a therapeutic level. I made very dangerous assumptions.

This is not a one size fits all medication
I would suggest to titrate according to lack of side effects. This is not a quick fix.

It is a medication that works on the chemicals in the brain
Take note of your previous drug history. I commented that I cannot take asprin on my thread, but I only keep panado and brufen in the house.
The list of medications that leave me nauseaus and dizzy include, codeine, certain anti histamines.
I have vomited uncontrolably after aneasthetics. My doctor told me after my epi-dural ceasarian that he had never witnessed such a bad reaction.

I have had sugery in the past where I have been give pethadine or mophine.. I have vomited, vomited, vomited..

look at your drinking history
It took a long time for me to get out of control. I drank fairly normaly for many years. My daily intake seldom went above 8 units. If it did, I vomited, vomited, vomited.
I am not physically addicted. I never have withdrawels, my body can just not tolerate the high levels some people can reach. Alcohol is however, ruining my life. I do not want to drink, but the cravings get too much.

look at weight and height
I am a very small person. I have spent most of my life under 50g. I am 158cm tall. I should have started on miniscule doses.

don't drink
Many folks here want to mod and are hoping that this will be the way to go. I am not so sure about that. We can also be very forgetful if we drink and mightaccidently overdose. I hate to think of the consequences. I do believe that I was a hair breath away from seizures.

I would like people to read my warning, not to put them off, but to enlighten them.

Today, I feel too lightheaded to take any bac. I am starting again tomorrow.

I will titrate more slowly and listen to my body rather than package inserts.
I will not drink.
I will continue to keep you informed.

[Zman]

Beatle,

I see what you are saying, and as the person who started the consolidated thread, I obviously agree with your take on its importance and helpfulness. But so long as the info on this thread isnt materially misleading, I dont see how genuine information from people having experience with bac can be a bad thing.

Maybe we just need to add a disclaimer at the beginning that everyone should read this thread in conjunction with the consolidated thread in order to get a true picture of both the positives and negatives of bac.

[veritas]

I am hoping that my mistakes can help someone. I have tried to learn from them and use them to take a few steps forward. I do not want to put people off, I only want to make them cautious.

[Zenstyle]

Originally Posted by Zman

Beatle,

I see what you are saying, and as the person who started the consolidated thread, I obviously agree with your take on its importance and helpfulness. But so long as the info on this thread isnt materially misleading, I dont see how genuine information from people having experience with bac can be a bad thing.

Maybe we just need to add a disclaimer at the beginning that everyone should read this thread in conjunction with the consolidated thread in order to get a true picture of both the positives and negatives of bac.

I'm happy to add that disclaimer. I think it would be a good idea in fact.

[Zenstyle]

Done...

[Long Road]

Any material that says "Dr xxx's CURE for yyy" makes me immediately suspicious. This is a serious and often fatal disease. Any contribution to it's demise is of course welcome, but the last approach to take is the "30 days to a slimmer you" nonsense. Just because one person responds to a drug or therapy has no meaning at all. A self selected "random sample" of one is neither random nor a true sample. I do believe we are on the threshold of defeating this affliction. However the efficacy of any treatment can only be established through controled double blind clinical studies with statistically significant results. Otherwise, go ask Oprah.