Baclofen Question from Somewhat Newbie

[catlady70]

Hello everyone, I have just registered though have lurked on and off for a while.

I tried Baclofen twice in the past, but (I think like loads of others) I gave up due to SEs. I have just come back to read the boards after not being around for several months and see lots of you have since had success by keeping at it regardless of the SEs, and continuing to titrate up regardless.

I believe I was probably very close to my switch at my last attempt. I was at 150mg per day. I gave up because I had to drive several hours a day for my work, and just didn't feel I could continue without be a danger.

What I am wondering, is (I am just about to have a week of work) restarting at a high dose? For example, starting at 180mg? I know this is likely to make me almost enter a bac-induced coma, but I can arrange to have a friend monitor me.

My plan would then be to stick at that for the week I am off work, hopefully hit the switch, and then gradually lower the dose over the next few months?

I know it might sound a bit crazy, but I can't see me being able to do it the traditional way, due the reasons I gave up twice before.

Has anyone done anything like this? I am going through as many threads as possible, but there are so many!

Thanks for any insights anyone has.

[bleep]

Baclofen Question from Somewhat Newbie

Hmmm, it's an interesting idea, certainly. I know of one member who did something similar, with good results. The worst that can happen is you feel very weird for a few hours, but it will pass. Might not be the best time of your life.

I reckon it will take 3 or 4 days to adjust to the level, so you should have the time if you have a full week off.

Go for it. If it proves too debilitating, you can always try at a reduced dose.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes, if you can still type!

[bleep]

Baclofen Question from Somewhat Newbie

And welcome, off course!

[Murphyx]

Baclofen Question from Somewhat Newbie

Hi Catlady. How did you titrate in the past? Doctors seem to recommend very slow titration for those who have bad SEs e.g. start at 10mg and 10mg increases per week and no driving for the first 2 weeks, is one I have read of.

But then again your idea of just going for it resonates with me too. I'm not sure 1 week will be enough though. But you can try it, it's not going to kill you (probably ).

[catlady70]

Baclofen Question from Somewhat Newbie

Thank you so much for your replies.

On my first attempt, due to over-enthusiasm, I went from I think, 90 mgs a day to about 140, which I thought would be fine as I was tolerating it OK-ish, and I just couldn't wait to reach the switch. I was at work at the time (although not driving) and began slurring my words and generally acting like I was drunk. (I told my boss I was on a thyroid medication and it was not agreeing with me!)

However, after getting a ride home that evening, and generally not feeling too bad, just completely spaced; I remember thinking the furthest, last thing on my mind was having a drink.

That gave me a feeling that it might just work.

Thanks again. I really appreciate any thoughts anyone may have, including negative ones.

[catlady70]

Baclofen Question from Somewhat Newbie

Murphyx;1092459 wrote: Hi Catlady. How did you titrate in the past? Doctors seem to recommend very slow titration for those who have bad SEs e.g. start at 10mg and 10mg increases per week and no driving for the first 2 weeks, is one I have read of.

But then again your idea of just going for it resonates with me too. I'm not sure 1 week will be enough though. But you can try it, it's not going to kill you (probably ).

I think I cross posted there but probably answered the question anyway!

I could probably wrangle a few days extra off if I needed to.

On my second attempt, I titrated more slowly, after the experience with the first try-but was just feeling too spaced at work, and especially when driving. So I just titrated back down and stopped.

[bleep]

Baclofen Question from Somewhat Newbie

A jump like that will definitely give you side effects! Still, as far as I know, baclofen won't kill you. You may have to stay at the dose at which you become indifferent, but that shouldn't matter from a SE point of view. In time, all the SE's fade away, leaving only the indifference.

Something to watch out for is your emotions going to a very weird place. It happened to me when I went up really quickly. I was manic and euphoric one minute, morose and depressed a little later. If you are aware that it is caused by baclofen, it helps, a little. The euphoric bits are really fun! I was laughing away to myself, for absolutely no reason.

[catlady70]

Baclofen Question from Somewhat Newbie

Thanks for the heads up!

Just have to nail my front door shut that week, I guess. I am trying to find out more before deciding to go for it, but will definitely report progress.

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Baclofen Question from Somewhat Newbie

ohmygoodness, Catlady!

I tried something similar on two or three separate occasions. Without nearly that big a jump! Suffice it to say that the first two times, I quit taking bac. The last time (or two?) I sorely regretted the decision and almost quit altogether.

If the SEs were what got you in the first place, perhaps a slow and steady approach is necessary? I don't know of anyone who reached the goal more quickly and more effectively by gobbling the stuff. Not even Lo0p. Or bleep. It still took them several weeks. Bleep even did it twice, but I'll let him share that part of his story.

If your eyes are firmly on the goal, a couple of months isn't an awful lot of time for a lifetime w/o the burden of alcohol. I hope you'll reflect on that. I would actually credit the number of successes around here to a steady dosing schedule, among other things.

Either way, I hope you'll keep posting and wish you the best of luck!
:l
Ne

[Murphyx]

Baclofen Question from Somewhat Newbie

Ne/Neva Eva;1092482 wrote: I don't know of anyone who reached the goal more quickly and more effectively by gobbling the stuff. Not even Lo0p. Or bleep. It still took them several weeks.

Yeah you do, I did it in 8 days.

Catlady, even if you started straight off with 150 I'm not sure you'd get straight again in a week. And what if after a few days you realise you actually need to go higher?

I dunno, the quick thing I totally understand. You want to get it done as quick as possible, but there are consequences. If you go slowly, start at 10 and go up 10 per week, it takes months but you shouldn't have any serious side effects during that time and most importantly you won't appear drunk or stoned at work.

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Baclofen Question from Somewhat Newbie

you are annoying, Murph, and I like it. pffft.
You are also a guy. Catlady, presumably, is not. She had to stop once because of SEs.

I concur with your response.

[Chi]

Baclofen Question from Somewhat Newbie

catlady70;1092451 wrote:
What I am wondering, is (I am just about to have a week of work) restarting at a high dose? For example, starting at 180mg? I know this is likely to make me almost enter a bac-induced coma, but I can arrange to have a friend monitor me.

Sorry, if I had to have a friend monitor me, due to the expectation that I might end up in a "bac coma" I would not be doing it. Why are you considering this?

Did you post on this board during your other attempts? It might be helpful as far as giving advice if we knew more about your other attempts.

[catlady70]

Baclofen Question from Somewhat Newbie

Chi;1092584 wrote: Sorry, if I had to have a friend monitor me, due to the expectation that I might end up in a "bac coma" I would not be doing it. Why are you considering this?

Did you post on this board during your other attempts? It might be helpful as far as giving advice if we knew more about your other attempts.

I suppose the "Why" boils down to desperation. When I mentioned a "Bac-induced coma" it was just my way of describing that I did not expect to be very awake and coherent - I did not actually mean that I expected to enter a coma. Bad choice of words - I'm sorry.

I never posted before, I was always on a shared computer, and scared someone could bring up my online activity.

At that time, there seemed to be quite a few women who appeared about my age also starting and experiencing similar SEs, so I thought it was par for the course.

However I now see there are people here who have used various methods of titrating other than the slowly does it way that I tried the first time. The second time would have ended up as the first did, I fear, (giving up due to side effects) if I had not abruptly cut it short with my mega titration.

After reading several more threads (here and elsewhere) I see 180 mgs is likely to be WAY too high to start.

I am in a bit of a quandry-the meds are here, I start my free time on Friday, that I could likely stretch to around 10 days if I get someone to cover.

I do think slow is best. But to start and give up again due to fuzziness, spaciness because I have to work would be so disappointing.

I am currently leaning towards Murphyx dosage described here.
(Maybe slightly reduced).

https://www.mywayout.org/community/f2...ead-48260.html

Thanks again for all responses and comments. I REALLY don't want to fail again. I am 41 have been drunk nearly every day for over 20 years.

[Murphyx]

Baclofen Question from Somewhat Newbie

catlady70;1092628 wrote:

I am currently leaning towards Murphyx dosage described here.
(Maybe slightly reduced).

https://www.mywayout.org/community/f2...ead-48260.html

Thanks again for all responses and comments. I REALLY don't want to fail again. I am 41 have been drunk nearly every day for over 20 years.

I totally understand your need to get this done and get it done quick, but please read my comments beyond my titration schedule. I was able to control my work and I didn't have to go into an office and appear normal for at least a week after I switched. I did however visit the office of one of the companies I get work from and I think I might have appeared stoned/drunk because I haven't received a single commission from them since. No biggy, they aren't my only source of work, but if I had an employer and they thought I was stoned, well the consequences are obvious.

I doubt you can do it in the 10 or so days you're setting aside. However if you are determined to try, if after 7 or so days, maybe you can make a decision whether to carry on or not and give yourself time to drop down the dosage a few pegs in time to appear normal for returning to work.

Whatever you decide to do, please keep us updated with your situation.

[bleep]

Baclofen Question from Somewhat Newbie

I think you can certainly start off at a higher dose than normal, and probably go up faster, given your previous experience. As others have said, I don't think you'll reach indifference in such a short time, but you can certainly get a solid start in in the 10 days you have available.

Whichever path you choose, good luck. I hope you'll keep us posted.