Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

[rubywillow]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

I've not read this entire thread, so forgive if this is a repeat. I've been thinking of talking to my doc about starting Baclofen, as it is originally for muscle spasms, etc., for which I take another med. That way, I can drop the other med and my topomax. I was reading on WebMD and read the report about there being a high alert warning about combining Bac and acetaminophin (tylenol) causing liver damage, which I certainly don't need. My pain med has tylenol in it, so I would have to change that too. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

[cowgal]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

billy b

no harm, no foul, It is all cool, just didn't know the story behind the new book , heck, didn't even know there was a new one out there, thanks for your input, as always, much appreciated!!! MA:l:h

[TakeHeart]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

BillyB,

I think you make an excellent point.

[cowgal]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

me too!

Words of wisdom, thanks billp...........................good to see everyone doing well, almost majorly screwed up today, but ok in the long run!!


love,:l:h

MA

[beatle]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

billyb;763160 wrote: I was thinking about the change in marketing strategy for the paperback, and I'm not so enthusiastic about it. The old cover was clinical and medical, the new cover and name are more spiritual, self-help oriented.

To my mind, this just reinforces the problem we've been long complaining about - that this isn't being taken seriously by the medical community, and it is now left to us to help ourselves. While the older cover was pretty cheesy (c'mon - white lab coats and a clipboard? what is this, the 1950s?), at least it showed an attempt to be taken seriously by the medical community, and it put forth an implicit argument that baclofen is a real cure and something that we need to pay attention to. The new cover is all about faith and self-healing and spiritual fulfillment, not about real medical results.

I can just imagine bringing the new book to my doctor, and him thinking "oh jeez, another one of those new-age self-help programs - I can't believe my patient actually fell for this...."

I'm not saying self-help and spiritual fulfillment aren't important. I'm just saying that's not the way to convince the medical establishment, and the new marketing strategy doesn't help our case.

Very interesting. I agree with you, bill -- but on the other hand, the photo that Hopeful posted of the new book cover clearly shows pills in a hand... so it does imply that you can heal yourself with pills (baclofen). And it also implies that you can heal yourself by taking the pills yourself -- as in taking control and getting the pills even if your lame doctors won't prescribe it. So the title alone might be misleading, but together with the photo, well, it might actually make the point better.

[hopefulspouse]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

zenstyle and others

Psychiatrist appointment for husband is today at 5 PM. I am hopeful and anxious!! I may need some baclofen myself to help my own anxiety!!

Zenstyle, you suggested that I pass along Dr. A's contact info to the doctor so that she could contact him if she had questions. I was wondering if you or anyone else knows if Dr. A has had responded to emails sent via his website contact form, either to doctors or baclofenists with questions?

In an effort to find a NY doctor I had written to him a week or two ago (before I found one myself) but did not receive a response. I also wrote a few minutes ago to ask if he would be available through email or other means to doctors working with baclofen with dosing and other questions. In the meantime, I did send this doctor a few critical website links including Dr. A's self case report that details his dosing, as well as a posting on this website with general guidelines.

Just curious what experiences have been?

Cowgal...glad to hear you are ok! Stay strong! :l

[Lo0p]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

Hopeful, can you send me the links you sent to your doctor? I have a few studies/scholarly articles about baclofen saved and if I can figure out which ones you haven't linked to and sent to your doctor I can send you the rest, so that he can see them.

I'd need an email address to send you the PDF's.

[hopefulspouse]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

Hi Loop ....sent you the email! Thanks!

[brightlite]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

Hi Rubes,

I don't have any info on combining BAC and acetaminophin (tylenol), but maybe Beatle will chime in....she has a lot of info about drugs and suppliments. Just thought I'd bump the question for you.

[nancy]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

I think Beatle is right here. Book is appealing to people directly instead of doctors.
Maybe there will be a grass-roots uprising to get access to the drug. And the bible title? America is pretty religious so maybe that will appeal more here.

Appealing to mainstream doctors is going to be tough, without the randomized controlled trials which won't happen with a generic drug. But no doubt specialists in addiction will take note.

[Bill.P.]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

I kinda like the new title, as it is appropriate. He cured himself with baclofen and hence all of are fruit of the tree that came from that seed of his. And it comes from the proverb, Physician, heal thyself.
Most dont know the origin of that in this secular society but recognize it nonetheless. And he was a physician and he did heal himself. So the shoe fits on that title.

This will be a rewrite but with more of the recent scientific stuff since the publishing of his first book.

I dont think any physician will take baclofen seriously regardless of what the book cover looks like. They arent interested in addiction and the research.
The only way to get a doctors attention is if he has a person every week coming in and asking for baclofen and being told he doesnt know what he/she is talking about.

Drug companies know this, they fought and won for the right to advertise directly to the patient. And it works and it works well. So in my humble opinion, a book's marketing directed to the masses will be a more effective catalyst for change.

And religious or God is not necessarily a bad thing, many scientists of which I am one have been enculturated with a disdain for rational thought in favor of empirical reasoning. But, the absence of spirituality is a common hallmark of addicted people. That's why Jungian thought was so effective in using that in therapy and ALSO why it was "borrowed" to make Alcoholics Anonymous 12 steps.

I actually didnt believe in God but now I do, it involved massive amounts of cough medicine, but I Swear, there is a God, and he lives in a Gray Castle, Ive been there, its definitely gray. But I digress. I think it is an improvement. I didnt like the white coat with an organic molecule sticking out of his head

[hopefulspouse]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

doc visit update

Ok, so hubby's doc visit - some victories some setbacks.....
Bottom line is that the doctor would have preferred that he try something she had some experience with - campral, antabuse, etc....
But she agreed to prescribe baclofen and let us know up front that she would not be comfortable going above 80 mg a day (a dosage threshold used by neurologists in one of the medical reference books). She may consider it if hubby was under the care of a neurologist that would work with her (we would need to find one) but even then she's unsure. She felt it may be an injustice to start him knowing that she would not exceed 80 mg a day....but in the end he is pushing forward.
She is keeping him at 15 mg a day until follow up visit in 2 weeks. The laundry list of side effects through him for a loop but I tried my best to assure him that the medicine is generally well tolerated and most side effects like somnolence may pass within a few days.
I still think this is a victory since its always possible his magic daily dose will be 80 mg or below, and if he receives theraputic benefits at lower dosers (reduced craving, anxiety reduction, better sleep) he will be inspired to continue.
I should be happy right? Small victory? Sorry to be needy and need reinforcement......
As tired as I am, and as hard as things have been for quiet some time now, I feel very blessed this thanksgiving. I have lots to be thankful for. And thank you for welcoming me and providing me support. :l:l :h

[Lo0p]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

You could try this:

"High-dose oral baclofen
Experience in patients with multiple sclerosis
Charles R. Smith, MD, Nicholas G. LaRocca, PhD, Barbara S. Giesser, MD and Labe C. Scheinberg, MD

Medical Rehabilitation Research and Training Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY.

We reviewed a 10% random sample of charts from an outpatient clinic for multiple sclerosis to determine the frequency with which baclofen was prescribed for spasticity in high doses (>80 mg/d). About 20% of patients had taken high-dose baclofen, and 15% were still receiving a high dose. Taking a high dose was not associated with discontinuing treatment.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Charles R. Smith, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461.

Supported in part by Grant #H133B80018 of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.

Received February 13, 1991. Accepted for publication in final form April 26, 1991."

-High-dose oral baclofen: experience in patients with multiple sclerosis.
Author: Smith, C R
Journal Title: Neurology
ISSN: 0028-3878
Published: 1991 Volume: 41 Issue: 11 Page: 1829 - 31

I can't seem to access the full article on this one. I even made a request to a Johns Hopkins librarian to pull it, scan it and email to me but they haven't responded yet even though it's a service that I should have access to.

Bill P., do you have a copy of this article?

[cowgal]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

there is a copy here, not??

I took that to my doc and he wrote a script no questions at all...............I wish you all the best......................the book is also, I offered to let him read it, he is a dear friend who I did research w/ for a few years, not your typical doctor, god complex crap:h:h................but whatever helps, I hope you keep us posted as to your progress..........................

love and hugs,:l:h

MA

[Amaryllis]

Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

Hi
I'm new to this site, and this is my first post.
I been looking around everywhere for info about baclofen. i'm gona strat it soon, and am bit scared cos i doing it on my own. i read dr ameson's book, and it made me feel really hopeful.
is there anywhere else i can go for more info?

i'm 39 and been drinking heavily for years, but it has got mega bad in last 2 years. i know i'm in big trouble if i dont stop. tried most other things, but not good.

good to chat, i guess.