My Baclofen Journey

[fickle]

Hello all,

Sorry if this has been done to death.. just thought I should record my experience somewhere in case it's helpful to others. I welcome any advice or input from anyone.

I've been scared to try Baclofen. I first heard about it from several friends on this site who have had wonderful results. In particular Mr Tips who now has more than 100 days AF! I was and continue to be so inspired.. but when I ordered my Bac several months ago, it came from a third world country and appeared to be crumbly. I had nasty thoughts of it being from some backyard operation so it sat in my drawer all this time.

Recently I've become increasingly desperate so I decided to give it a go. It did come from a reputable source and I've found some other sources so it's time for me to give it a go.

From repeated advice I decided to take a very cautious slow aproach at titrating up.

Beginning on Monday I started with 2.5mg three times a day and am now on 5mg x 3 per day.

Am wondering if it's OK that I continue to drink and especially, if I want to stop, is it ok to take valium at the same time as Bac for a few days?

Thanks for reading folks!

[PhoenixRising]

My Baclofen Journey

I drank right up until hitting the switch. You will likely have better results if you don't, however. I never took Valium so I can't answer to that. Good luck!

[WitsEnd]

My Baclofen Journey

Hey Fickle: well done for making the leap. I drank too right up to the switch and it was ok: switch at 225mg. I'm not sure about valium & baclofen together - you might need to be a little careful there ... check them here Drug Interactions
It looks like combined they might lead to some respiratory problems but I just had a quick glance at it .. take a look and good luck!

[RedThread12]

My Baclofen Journey

Hey, Ficks: Mr. Tips is now over ONE YEAR AF! Gotta' love that even more!!! (Standing up for your virtue, here, Tips:H:H:H)

[Sunnyvalenting]

My Baclofen Journey

I believe I have noticed that those who have at least attempted to be abstinent have hit the switch at lower doses. It allows you to use judgment (abstinence) along with the craving suppression of bac. Also please note that baclofen has been successfully used for withdrawal symptoms on its own. You will likely not need the valium.
Good luck
Sunny

BTW I am AF for 7 1/2 months now on bac. down to 20/day and tapering slowly

[fickle]

My Baclofen Journey

Thanks guys, and thanks for that link WitsEnd, brillliant tool.

I'll just keep upping the bac then and not worry about the valium. I have noticed that the bac makes me feel better, as I am less anxious in general. However, if I drink too much it's really hard to wake up and I feel woolly headed all day. So I wanted to move from 5mgx3 to 7.5x3 or even up to 10mgx3 by the end of this weekend.

Having noticed a difference already, I'm hoping I dont have to go so high. Like Sunny I'd like to think of bac as a way to get off AL and stay off but hope to have the strength to stay off without the bac once I've been AF for 6 months or so.

Congratulations and thanks for the inspiration SunnyV and Mr Tips!!

[tiptronic_ct]

My Baclofen Journey

Hey, Ficks

It's great to see that you've finally taken the plunge!!! I'm sure you won't regret it!

No need for the Valium: bac is as effective to manage AL withdrawal - see the link to an article about it in the Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread set up by Lo0p.

And not worry about the counting of days... it feels more like a 100 has passed as opposed to a year. Time flies when you're having fun :H

I tapered my drinking quite sharply before I started bac. I was down from almost a bottle (750ml) of vodka and the better part of a bottle of red to just under a bottle of wine by the time I started. Being AF will help even more, I reckon.

Keep us posted :l

[fickle]

My Baclofen Journey

Thanks Tips and Reggie!
I'm convinced I don't need the benzos any more. I'll just taper down the AL and taper up the Bac.
Very glad to have your support guys

[beatle]

My Baclofen Journey

Reggie;946642 wrote: Hi ficks just a couple of things before i go have a wallet/purse card detail as nurses docs need to know heres one that you can print off...Free (ICE) Emergency Information Card In Case of Emergency online also just advice make sure you have lots of supply while you are reaching your switch withdrawl suddenly is not good ..Baclofen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia any way look forward to a alcohol free life luv ya
Reg

Baclofen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article has questions of neutrality in the middle. The questioner says it lacks sufficient evidence and reads like an advertisement for Amesen's book. It says there aren't studies to prove it. Another says the writer has a close connection with the drug industry.

I'm worried this will cause readers to think it is a hoax, or at least that the writer is doing it for some kind of personal gain.

I hope someone (Lo0p? Otter?) can go in there and counter this person, making the Wiki article more specific and get the questions removed from the text.

[beatle]

My Baclofen Journey

Reggie;946642 wrote: Hi ficks just a couple of things before i go have a wallet/purse card detail as nurses docs need to know heres one that you can print off...Free (ICE) Emergency Information Card In Case of Emergency online also just advice make sure you have lots of supply while you are reaching your switch withdrawl suddenly is not good ..Baclofen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia any way look forward to a alcohol free life luv ya
Reg

Baclofen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article has questions of neutrality in the middle. One questioner says it lacks sufficient evidence and reads like an advertisement for Amesen's book. It says there aren't studies to prove it. Another says the writer has a close connection with the drug industry.

This is where the accusations are made:

Talk:Baclofen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I'm worried this will cause readers to think it is a hoax, or at least that the writers/contributers are doing it for some kind of personal gain.

I hope someone (Lo0p? Otter?) can go in there and counter this person, make the Wiki article more specific, and get the questions removed from the text.

[fickle]

My Baclofen Journey

Ta Reggie :l
Very important consideration I know - the emergency card. I've looked a lot at baclofen info online, including the wikipedia page. I've been cautious due to the warnings and do not take this at all lightly.

Good point Beatle.. people who know about these things must really take care of this stuff. In my experience there really is nothing else out there but you guys.
Thanks all for being here... on so many levels, THANKYOU!!:goodjob:

I'm taking things slow as advised by my friends and am up to 10mg (am) 10mg (noon) 12.5mg (pm). I think it's wise to take it slow and I've stopped stressing about getting AF in a hurry. Have dropped from about 16 units/day to 6. Intending to move to 12.5 tomorrow for am & noon then 15mg tomorrow eve.

Part of my trouble has been anxiety. I had no idea how debilitating my anxiety has been until now, that it's so much reduced. I've been doing heaps of things that I could not do before because of the anxiety. It was the biggest reason for my Al use.

Also, major realisation is that my axiety about getting AF was leading me in circles - AF - crash - AF - crash - AF - crash.. and the use of valium to achieve the AF state repeatedly followed by crashes led to a very vicious circle. Each time valium was becoming less effective for withdrawals and eventually I would have probably killed myself.

Thank goodness I'm off that rollercoaster.

Am feeling more confident I'm going to beat this thing. Just have to stay patient and gently move forwards without getting impatient and carried away.

[Cinders]

My Baclofen Journey

Fickle,

I am very heartened to hear your attitude about going slowly with the Bac. I know I have to because of the sleep paralysis issue I hit if I up any dose too quickly.

Like you, I am just being patient.

My attitude is that if I try to go too fast and end up giving up, where will I be?

If I take it slowly and patiently, it may take months but there is an end to the journey.

Good luck!!

Cindi

[fickle]

My Baclofen Journey

Gosh Cinders,

At what level did you experience the sleep paralysis?

I have only experienced one side effect (SE) so far and that was in the first few days when I was extremely hung over and at work where I found myself sitting dazed for a moment thinking 'what's that noise' then realised I was hearing my raspy breathing and feeling as though I'd returned from a faint. I had not fainted, and luckily was alone so nobody noticed my 'moment'.

Not sure if that was the bac, the hangover or the combination. That scared me a little - that is why I was panicking about getting AF quickly and considering valium. But I'm so much lower on Al now that I think most of the withdrawals have passed.

Also started a slow release B vitamin specifically for sleep which I take 1/2 hour before bed. I think that helps stop the panic and thoughts of valium too. I sleep much better now.

I'd like to know more about your Bac journey Cinders - can you post me a link?

Taking it slow really is working for me.. so much so that I've lost my fear of bac and wanted to ramp up more quickly now.. but I will heed the warning and not get over-excited. It's taking a lot of discipline for me not to give into impatience again. I remind myself that this is a serious drug and not to be taken lightly as it is a long term committment and I must ensure that I've got supplies at all times for safety's sake.

One of the scariest things is that I'm inclined to vague out and forget whether or not I"ve taken a pill. I've never been good at remembering to take medicine. I'm going to have to use a pill box so I don't forget.

Travel well friends and thanks all for your wisdom and support!

[Sunnyvalenting]

My Baclofen Journey

The clinic I went to had me take 10mg 3 times/day days 1-3 then 20 mg 3 times/day and increase as able to 5-6 times/day. I had to cut the dose on day 4 to just 10 mg every 3 hours as it made me so sleepy. I hate to think what drinking would have done to that!
Sounds like you are doing very well. I am impressed. What keeps you from just stopping the al altogether at this point? Are you still getting cravings?
Sunny

[fickle]

My Baclofen Journey

Hey Sunny,

That sounds a bit faster than me. I've been taking the bac extremely slowly on advice from friends here. They told me to start on 2.5mg x 3 per day. It's taken me a week and a bit to get up to what i'm on now which today was 15mg am, 15mg noon, 20mg pm.

When I started I was still very agitated and anxious, climbing the walls in fact and hungover, trying to balance work and the fear that bac would make me drowsy (I need my brain big time in my job). I've cut down hugely and feeling very calm and happy.

I have had some stressful situations with my kids but am handling them in a different way than what I normally would in that I've taken notice of how I wanted to react (panic) and instead chosen to react calmly. This is amazing!

Also, for the past 3 years I've had massive anxiety at home about dealing with piles of stuff left over from family funerals. So we've basically been living with dead people's stuff piled up all around us. I've been overwhelmed with this and the other responsibilities I have. Now I'm on Bac, I've been able to deal with it. I'm sorting it out. AMAZING!

My reality is that I can't afford a clinic so these guys here at MWO are my lifeline. I'm sure if I had the time I would be sleepy too.