Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

xanax knocks me out immediately and then I wake with a headache...have you tried ativan instead? Same purpose, but not as heavy.

I have been taking Baclofen for about 4 years. I take 40 mg daily. When I first started taking it...I had to gradually increase up to the full dosage. It took me about 2 weeks. During those two weeks I was sleepy.

xanax puts me to sleep...I guess it is the same thing...your body has got to get use to it.

I could not live without my baclofen. I would walk the streets to be able to get it...LOL

Baclofen is a muscle relaxer. Xanax is a benzodiazapine, an anti-anxiety. I would be careful taking them at the same time, cause you could really zonk out.

I have been on Baclofen for a month for spastiscity issues in my legs at night. It works great. I take 40 mg at bedtime.

I was on baclofen for years, the only thing it helped was my restless legs, that tight, heavy,uncomfortable creepy feeling all the time in your legs. As far as Pain in neck and back,ask your doctor about Lortab, be careful it is very addicting but I have tried everything under the sun and temprorary doses of lortab is all that works. Swimming also helps with neck and back pain, give it a try. Good luck

I take a low dose 4 times a day with the option of increasing if I'm on a lot of pain. I've found it to be pretty helpful.

I have the same problem as you with pain around my spine. I also recently picked up a tempurpedic bed. Wow, what a dream to sleep in.

There is so much to say! First thing that comes to mind is has the cause of your back pain been properly diagnosed? If the diagnosis is pain from spasms, a common problem for people with MS, then Baclofen would be indicated. Did you have any tests done; did your MD do a physical and neuro check? Did your MD discuss side effects and dosing? Is your MD aware that you take Xanax?
Re: Xanax - is it helping for the reason you were prescribed it?
In addition to medication for your back, you can add Yoga. Not the stuff that wraps you into a pretzel, but the simple, stretching and relaxing type. There is a wonderful tape/dvd by Christa Rypins called "Yummy Yoga" that focuses on the back. It is very easy, almost passive. It has helped me immensely. And I do take Baclofen for spasms.
Christa's website is
http://www.yogaopenings.com/index....
Your doctor should be monitoring you closely and adjusting the Baclofen dose to be most beneficial for you. Baclofen has to build up in your system to work - it doesn't work right away like Tylenol; it takes several days. In order to be most effective, it needs to be taken every eight hours.
Baclofen is usually used for spasms, steroids usually for exascerbations.

Baclofen info: http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/le...
Here is info on the interaction between Xanax and Baclofen: http://www.drugs.com/drug-interact...
I hope this helps. Be well.

I am on Zanaflex. A muscle relaxant spesific for MS. Everyone on Baclofen says it is great, almost no side effects. I want to talk to my neuro about changing, as the problems that I am having are very much the same a you described. I don;t know if it is better than the onther. The the Zanaflex, up until now, has worked. butterflyzrfree