Taking baclofen in uneven doses

[Anna B]

Hi all,

Just a quick question about baclofen dosing. It's gotten to the point in the last month (or longer) where on a daily basis I take pretty uneven dosages--both in the total amount I take and the times throughout the day I take it. Most of the time it's not on purpose. I'm just a pretty head-in-the-clouds, forgetful person--and I'm also, by nature, very unregimented. I've tried alarms on my cell phone & also regular text reminders, which helps but not 100%. So some days I'll take 150 mg spaced at random dosages and intervals and other times I don't get up to 80 mg--and usually because I forgot most of my daytime pills. Of course on 150 I NEVER drink anything but if I mess up and get down to 80 I find myself craving a glass of wine. Thankfully I'm at the point where I can have one or two glasses of wine and drink nothing more, so it's not the biggest deal in the world b/c it doesn't lead into a massive relapse.

I haven't suffered any side effects because of it and things have been working really well for me since mid-July. So I guess I'm wondering if anyone knows if I'm doing anything medically harmful (e.g., increasing risk of withdrawal symptoms--I don't know!) by taking bac in such a random way.

Thanks!

-Anna

[tiptronic_ct]

Taking baclofen in uneven doses

Anna,

I use a combination of cellphone reminders and a daily diary so I can keep track of myf ull intake on any given day.

My goal was to become completely abstinent, which I've been since 21 August, and to remain so.

My signature says it all: I'll do whatever it takes, and that applies to how I approach baclofen as well.

Depending on what your goals are, you'll just have to find a way to keep track.

Medically speaking, I'd rather not venture an opinion, except to say that what you're doing is definitely potentially harmful. It doesn't matter if its baclofen - the principle applies to any type of medication.

[Anna B]

Taking baclofen in uneven doses

Hi Tip,

Thanks for your reply. Now I'm getting worried. Why exactly is it definitely harmful to do this? (E.g., I know there's a lot of other medications for which it's not harmful to take on some days and not on others or more or less of it depending on what you need...like Advil or other meds)

--Anna

[Anna B]

Taking baclofen in uneven doses

Is the harm that you could go through withdrawal if you don't take enough one day? My understanding is that these kinds of acute withdrawal symptoms are quickly alleviated by taking baclofen (similar to alleviating benzo withdrawal?).

Or is the harm that you could overdose if you, say, take your maximum (150 mg) one day a day after you take your minimum dose (80 mg)? I found one study of accidental baclofen overdose w/ teenagers who took up to 600 mg in one sitting without ever having taken bac before. But clearly that's not what I'm doing even at my worst, most forgetful days.

I'm not saying that I'm behaving properly by not taking regular amounts of baclofen each day--in an ideal world I would be perfect about it. I'm not trying to be flippant--I just want to know if anyone knows the medical reasons why it's harmful to take uneven doses. Certainly if there are good reasons I'll keep trying my best to change my behavior

[beatle]

Taking baclofen in uneven doses

warning: LONG reply

Ok, I am just going to give you MY opinion. I consider it a fairly informed opinion based on personal research AND experience. As we all know, each individual is different, so what applies to me, may not apply to you, Anna, or anyone else. Remember (yes, this is a disclaimer), this is my OPINION, not ADVICE:

I do not think what you are doing will cause any harm, Anna. First of all, you have not experienced any withdrawal symptoms when you have fluctuated briefly (as in from one day to the next, not one week to the next). This indicates that your body is not having a problem dealing with the very short-term change. If it was, you would feel it long before you had a seizure, and then you would take more bac, right?

That said, it's a good idea to find ways to keep yourself on a regular schedule -- not just for your own peace of mind, but it is also essential if you want to gauge how your body is reacting to the bac, and when, and to find the right level, all to benefit from it in the best way possible.

I have taken medications that are somewhat similar to Bac and I have been warned to not stop quickly for the same reasons as for Bac and benzos, (and, by the way, alcohol, too). However, I believe the withdrawal from cessation of these medications can be felt (and eased by re-introduction) before it becomes dangerous (at least that has been my experience and I have read about others who concur).

I have also been on benzos (yes, been there done that, too:eeks and I missed multiple doses at a time, but always got back on track within 1-2 days. No problems (for ME).

I think seizures are associated with sudden CESSATION, and usually come after at least the first 24 hours of withdrawal symptoms. At least I know this is true for alcohol from personal experience and professional advice.

ok, I just cut the second half of this way-too-long post off because, well, it was way too long.

But I think you get my point here. I just don't think you (Anna) need to get all worried about it, but I do think it would be beneficial for you to discipline yourself into a better routine.:rockon:

[panda farts]

Taking baclofen in uneven doses

I think you'll be fine taking random doses at random times.. so long as you don't just stop all together after 5+ months of daily baclofen.

I just remember to take mine every day at the exact same time. 2,5 & 8

[beatle]

Taking baclofen in uneven doses

Thanks, panda, for boiling my long-winded post down into the two sentences that say it all.uch:

[panda farts]

Taking baclofen in uneven doses

my a.d.d. rarely allows for much longer explanations

[beatle]

Taking baclofen in uneven doses

maybe I need a dose of that

[cowgal]

Taking baclofen in uneven doses

me too!

I take different, up to 40 mg a day differences..........doses at times, and have NO side effects...........then again, every side effect I ever thought I had has been caused by something else every time I think it could be the bac.............a cold, other meds, like cold med.................lack of potassium(leg cramps), no problems!! Just wish life would be better right now, I am not doing all that well in any aspect of it, and taking well more than my high end of the recommended dose.......................w/ no problems, but no help either..............sorta worried at this point, but will persist!

love an hugs to all!!! :h Sorry to be a downer, just a bad couple days, will get through this, thanks for being here everyone!!:thanks:

MA:l:h

[Anna B]

Taking baclofen in uneven doses

Thanks so much for the replies, everyone!

Beatle--your information is terrific as always.

I do totally get the point that it's best to be as regular as possible but that I'm probably not going to die from what I'm currently doing.

To that end, I got a new program on my iPhone that allows you to track daily behaviors (it's called TouchGoals). I've done that w/ bac and it's been pretty helpful.

[Umpalumpa]

bump