This is my first post in the MS Support Group looking for input. I'm a great one for sharing my experience and information, but not asking. I'm hoping it will get easier for me to ask. I have been figuritively holding my breath since my dx. Here goes... I am very sensitive to meds and take reduced doses. Months ago I started taking Baclofen for spasms and stiffness, titrated at 5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg daily. I almost always missed the mid dose. The spasms really began to escalate and I finally conceded to taking a higher dose - (10/5/10). The spasms and stiffness continued to worsen, went to 10/10/10 and then 10/10/20. Two days after the last increase, my body was in what felt like one big spasm from head to toe, I had a screaming headache, and I was in pain (I have a high pain threshold). My whole body was hot, like a layer of heat under the skin. My housemate called my primary and he said come right in. I went outside and rubbed snow on my arms and the back of my neck and on my face. (I'm not going to tell you that I stood in the snow barefoot because it sounds too crazy.) To shorten this already too long story, he did an exam, stat blood work, we discussed the med change, and he told me to stop taking the Baclofen and see what happens (to call if I got one iota worse). I was in tears and could hardly walk one step in front of another for the pain.
It is two days later. The headache gone. The pain gone, the feverishness gone. I am walking better than I have been in weeks. The spasms reduced by 80% or more. I can not believe the difference.
I believe Baclofen is a fantastic medication and I am shocked that I had the reaction I did. To have worsening spasms and stiffness from a med that treats the same - I never would have connected the two (that's why I love my doc). This is not a diss of Baclofen. I would like to know if anyone else has had this type of reaction to it, or to higher dosing. Be well.