Question for Baclofenists

[Lo0p]

I notice that people using baclofen have their daily maintenance doses and sometimes a prn dose to help with cravings. In my understanding baclofen works by directly, in and of itself, preventing cravings.

If you are a nighttime drinker and never get cravings during the day, could you just use baclofen at night and be successful?

[padraigin]

Question for Baclofenists

that's a good question; as that describes me and I'll be starting as soon as I get mine in the mail, I hope we hear back as I don't do well if tired at work....

[Larisa]

Question for Baclofenists

There are several threads that discuss this issue - I know for me, since I'm at 200 mg/day, I have to take some earlier in the day so that I'm not taking huge doses later on to get it all in.

[fickle]

Question for Baclofenists

me too.. looking forward to hearing and btw, what is "prn"?

[panda farts]

Question for Baclofenists

prn is just as needed.

I only had cravings in the evening and night so all my dosing starts in the afternoon/ evening.

50mg @ 2pm
50mg @ 5:30pm
50mg @ 8pm

so nearly all of it is concentrated in the evening and it works just fine that way.

[billyb]

Question for Baclofenists

I get cravings only in the evenings.

I've been on baclofen ten months now, and settled into a regime that works really well for me.

I usually take only 10mg in the morning, and then another 10mg shortly after lunch.

Then, around 3pm, I start taking larger doses. Usually 20-30mg for each dose, around 3pm, 6pm, and 9pm. Roughly.

I take 100mg a day total, but on occasion I'll take a little more (extra stressful day) or a little less (I forget to take a dose, or I simply don't have the need for it).

[tiptronic_ct]

Question for Baclofenists

billyb;734649 wrote: I get cravings only in the evenings.

I've been on baclofen ten months now, and settled into a regime that works really well for me.

I usually take only 10mg in the morning, and then another 10mg shortly after lunch.

Then, around 3pm, I start taking larger doses. Usually 20-30mg for each dose, around 3pm, 6pm, and 9pm. Roughly.

I take 100mg a day total, but on occasion I'll take a little more (extra stressful day) or a little less (I forget to take a dose, or I simply don't have the need for it).

My routine is similar to Billy's. I'm on 160 - 180mg a day, SLOWLY tapering down.

It is CRUCIAL to keep in mind that you can get WD symptoms if you don't don't maintain Bac in your system - see Zennie's thread "Dr. Ameisen's Baclofen Cure". It has a very short half-life.

[fickle]

Question for Baclofenists

Thanks Panda, Billy, Tips,

Being a bit sensitive, not to mention a scaredy cat, and being an afternoon/evening craving type too..
I'm thinking I might try the way that Panda is doing it.. but starting off on 10mg doses.

Has anyone started off very very small, like 10mg x 1 per day then on to 2 x 10mg per day etc?

Oh yeah, and do you get snoozy after your 2pm dose Panda?

[panda farts]

Question for Baclofenists

I've found that I usually have 2 bouts of transient somnolence. One mid morning maybe 10:30-ish and usually 3ish. each one lasts for about 30 minutes or so .. a mountain dew usually helps both of them.

[christyacc]

Question for Baclofenists

tiptronic_ct;734675 wrote: My routine is similar to Billy's. I'm on 160 - 180mg a day, SLOWLY tapering down.

It is CRUCIAL to keep in mind that you can get WD symptoms if you don't don't maintain Bac in your system - see Zennie's thread "Dr. Ameisen's Baclofen Cure". It has a very short half-life.

I am thinking I must be unsuseptable (sp?) to withdrawal symptoms.
I have never (knock on wood) had withdrawal from AL, and well, I have had the misfortune of running out of my Bac, and well, I haven't had any withdrawal symptoms. I keep reading that I need to be careful because of withdrawal, but not experienced. Does this mean that maybe the meds don't work as well? I have tapered off my Bac, but in the last couple days had to abruptly stop taking it......I have noticed that my drinking is gearing up. My indifference isn't there anymore. If there was beer in the house, I wouldn't drink it, however, NOW, we have beer in the house from having hosting Thanksgiving dinner.

The Bac definately works, and I too have my cravings in the evening, except sometimes on weekends or vacations. I don't have the luxury of taking the majority of my Bac at night because I work at night, in retail. I think though....I will just suck it up.

Anyway....I just wanted to let everyone know, that I have been on Bac and reluctantly gone off and I have noticed a huge difference. I have an appointment with my family dr on the 27th for a physical, and I will approach her about a script. I will tell her off my successes. She'd be a fool not to agree. I will do this without her help if I have to. I am waiting for my next order to arrive.......

Thanks for listening!!! :h

Christy

[fickle]

Question for Baclofenists

Good luck Christy, and thanks Panda.. something to ponder

[tiptronic_ct]

Question for Baclofenists

fickle;734851 wrote: Has anyone started off very very small, like 10mg x 1 per day then on to 2 x 10mg per day etc?

Hey, Ficks

When people start on bac, they usually start on 5mg, 3 times a day, for three days, and then slowly titrate up from there.

Look at the titration schedule posted on th "Dr Ameisen's Baclofen Cure" thread for guidance.

I would recommend that you even start with as little as 2.5mg (1/4 tablet) three times a day until you're comfortable with how it affects you.

[fickle]

Question for Baclofenists

Ok thanks Tippers,
I now realise I misread the Dr Ameisen's thread regarding the beginning dose - sorry about that!
The 2.5mg x 3 sounds like a better bet for me.. might order some while I ponder further.

[brightlite]

Question for Baclofenists

I am going to start increasing my Bac again and I'm taking the PF approach. I will be taking:

10mg at 12noon
20mg at 3pm
25mg at 6pm

That's to start and I may increase the 6pm dose or include an 8pm dose if need be.

[panda farts]

Question for Baclofenists

hope that works for you. it sure does for me.