I am on Baclofen -Question on SE

[dixon]

Hi folks,
I am now taking Baclofen 25x 3 mg each day from 7th April.Now cravings are down.But I have the following curiosities so I would be grateful for your own experience and sharing of your knowledge.

Baclofen has some side effects as we all are known about them.I am a little bit worried as they are related with our primary organs as follows.

1. Headache, state of confusion and extreme happiness sometimes----- Effects n Brain.
2. Diarrhoea and constipation - Effects on Liver.
3. Unusual urination - effects on Kidney.
4.Low/high blood pressure - effects on Heart.
5. Lethargy and drowsiness-effects on nerve system.
One more ..
Shortage/fastness in breathing-Lungs.

So every functional organs of the body would be effected adversely. Could anyone specify of these side effects if this are recoverable or permanent deterioration in function of our these organs.

Thank you for sharing !
Dixon

[Cinders]

I am on Baclofen -Question on SE

Dixon,

I can speak to the diarrhea/constipation one. That is because Baclofen is a muscle relaxant. Your body uses muscles to evacuate waste. Baclofen is not harmful to the liver like many drugs. It is more likely to harm your kidneys.

I can also speak to the unusual urination. That is countered by drinking lots of fluids and ensuring your doctor checks your renal functions. Although, it is possible Baclofen could hurt your kidneys. Unfortunately, many drugs can harm your kidneys or your liver.

However, it seems like the ICD Codes used in the UK pretty clearly define the SEs of alcohol abuse.

United KingdomAlcohol-related deaths in the United Kingdom are coded using the Tenth Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).[20] ICD-10 comprises:

Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol ? ICD-10 F10
Degeneration of nervous system due to alcohol ? ICD-10 G31.2
Alcoholic polyneuropathy ? ICD-10 G62.1
Alcoholic cardiomyopathy ? ICD-10 I42.6
Alcoholic gastritis ? ICD-10 K29.2
Alcoholic liver disease ? ICD-10 K70
Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified ? ICD-10 K73
Fibrosis and cirrhosis of liver ? ICD-10 K74 (Excluding K74.3-K74.5 ? Biliary cirrhosis)
Alcohol induced chronic pancreatitis ? ICD-10 K86.0
Accidental poisoning by and exposure to alcohol ? ICD-10 X45
Intentional self-poisoning by and exposure to alcohol ? ICD-10 X65
Poisoning by and exposure to alcohol, undetermined intent ? ICD-10 Y15
UK statistical bodies report that "There were 8,724 alcohol-related deaths in 2007, lower than 2006, but more than double the 4,144 recorded in 1991. The alcohol-related death rate was 13.3 per 100,000 population in 2007, compared with 6.9 per 100,000 population in 1991."[21]

In Scotland, the NHS estimate that in 2003 one in every 20 deaths could be attributed to alcohol.[22]

A 2009 study found that 9,000 people are dying from alcohol-related diseases every year, three times the number 25 years previously.[23]

United StatesThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, "From 2001?2005, there were approximately 79,000 deaths annually attributable to excessive alcohol use. In fact, excessive alcohol use is the 3rd leading lifestyle-related cause of death for people in the United States each year."[24] A 1993 study estimated US deaths through alcohol at 100,000.[25]

Baclofen seems like a pretty mild drug compared to alcohol!!

Cindi

[dixon]

I am on Baclofen -Question on SE

Cinders;1095697 wrote: Dixon,

I can speak to the diarrhea/constipation one. That is because Baclofen is a muscle relaxant. Your body uses muscles to evacuate waste. Baclofen is not harmful to the liver like many drugs. It is more likely to harm your kidneys.

I can also speak to the unusual urination. That is countered by drinking lots of fluids and ensuring your doctor checks your renal functions. Although, it is possible Baclofen could hurt your kidneys. Unfortunately, many drugs can harm your kidneys or your liver.

However, it seems like the ICD Codes used in the UK pretty clearly define the SEs of alcohol abuse.



Baclofen seems like a pretty mild drug compared to alcohol!!

Cindi

Cindi,
Many thanks for sharing and providing an excellent information on this disgusting disease .However I would be happy if you give me a link of this information as I could not understand what exactly ICD codes mean ?
Very useful to me .
Dixon

[Murphyx]

I am on Baclofen -Question on SE

Excellent post Cinders.

Cinders;1095697 wrote:
Baclofen seems like a pretty mild drug compared to alcohol!!

And that's a point we need to keep making. :goodjob:

[dixon]

I am on Baclofen -Question on SE

You noted lovely line Murphyx!
Cindi, I wait for your link pls.
Dixon

[dixon]

I am on Baclofen -Question on SE

All,
I am on Baclofen and taking more when I suppose to be felt intense craving after a couple of hours and low dose when feel almost indifference .Its making me sleepy, creating weakness in high dose and the most important thing is extreme change in mood ?I take 25-35 mg as high dose and 10 mg as low dose making almost 75mg /per day in total.
Sometimes feeling too confused and very low in mood ,not worthy living.Sometimes ,feeling in high mood and more happier.Does anyone has such experience with the different doses of Baclofen or it is a normal in initial phase and will be improved later ?
Or do you suggest me to take same dose every-time ?
Thank you for your sharing again!
Dixon

[Murphyx]

I am on Baclofen -Question on SE

Dixon, the doctors recommend you take the same dose at the same times each day. Don't mix it up, that ain't good.

How long have you been on 75mg per day?

[Cinders]

I am on Baclofen -Question on SE

Dixon,

I am sorry, I just saw this thread again today.

Here is the link:

Long-term effects of alcohol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wikipedia is NOT my favorate reference, but if you google on ICD Codes, UK, you will find these are right.

ICD codes are the codes used by hospital for diagnosis of patients, btw. We use them here in the US.

Cindi

[dixon]

I am on Baclofen -Question on SE

Cinders,
Thank you for the info. I will Google that tonight.
Oh,one more curiosity about the use of baclofen that I am little bit scary on its long term effect on brain. I feel headache and intense confusion when taking it.I am not too much worrying about other organs but the brain which giudes us.your valuable sharing is welcomeed.
Dixon

[dixon]

I am on Baclofen -Question on SE

Wait and see !

Hi friends,

Finally I have dropped the idea of taking Baclofen for a while as I had some uncomfortable experiences.
Specially
1. I had a very bad experience in breathing , I had some very strong snoring problem which causes trouble in the whole house.My ear drum started rupturing,I felt shortage of breathing.
2.I used to sleep a long may be 24 hours in case of off days so I gained weight unexpectedly.
3.I felt too hungry most of the time, weaker every time and eating a lot , so got fat ,swelling stomach and felt very uneasy.
3. My tongue became thicker,I felt strong smell of Baclofen on my breathing, my face and fingers were also swelling.
4.Sometimes I felt very depressed and other times too much happy .Very unusual and confused...
5.I have read out the Oxford journal that the combination of anti depressant(AD) and Baclofen would worsened the depression more so terribly dashed down again.
6. There were some relapses with Baclofen and made me more scared of SE with Baclofen+SE from combination of Baclofen and AD+ Alcohol consumption and cant see a doctor.
Even though I was able to carry out my regular job. I was on 25+25+10 mg at that moment.

On the above scenario , I was unable to take doctors advice, so think it could be more harmful for me.I thought that way cause I was taking antidepressant so I frightened away with the combination of AD and Baclofen.
All those things raised my will power that there is no way out without being sober and now trying without Baclofen and started reading more about Baclofen. I am also planning to go abroad to see a doctor and get suggestion before I start Baclofen again.

The reason behind to give up Baclofen right now is I do not want to put alcoholism, depression and intake of Baclofen in my health record in case of Hospitalization in severe side effects.If it happens I will loose my job.
Friends you are my inspiration so please drop your sympathy and experience here please !
I am afraid of dosing up Baclofen with AD as well . Can I take samll amount of baclofen may be 10mg x2 or 5mg x3 a day for a long time and to suppress my craving slowly? Please share your experience.
I am now 4 days without Baclofen and alcohol ...
Many thanks,
Dixon

[dixon]

I am on Baclofen -Question on SE

One more stuff to sharing , my sexual interest was terribly heightened on Baclofen though some friends were complaining on it !!
Dixon

[Ne/Neva Eva]

I am on Baclofen -Question on SE

Dixon.
Baclofen doesn't make your desire to drink go away all at once. The medicine sometimes comes with side effects.

Yes, there can be a conflict with antidepressants and other medications.
Yes, it can make breathing more difficult and can make one snore.
Yes, it can make one lethargic and sleep more.

I'm not sure how to respond about your increased libido (definitely a side effect) except to wonder why your friends would care?

These SEs are mostly manageable.

Here's the thing: Bac is not any different than other methods of trying to achieve abstinence. It takes consistency, thoroughness, focus of thought and will. It's not always easy.

I think we addressed on one of your other threads the idea of using bac in low doses to curtail drinking. It didn't work for me. It doesn't seem to have worked for you. But it might. We don't really know.

The way I used bac and found indifference was to taper up from a low dose, slowly and with forethought and planning. 20mg/week or every 3 days or something. Taking the bac regularly and consistently and every 3 hours.
There's a thread for that.

I'm glad you're reading. Keep at it!

[k_iss]

I am on Baclofen -Question on SE

Baclofen newbie, freaking out!

Baclofen newbie, freaking out!
Hi,
This is my first time on a forum, ever. Please excuse me as I am learning the ropes.
I am a 42yr old alcoholic from Auckland, New Zealand.:new:
I have been on Baclofen for 3 weeks. I have now titrated up to 60mgs. My hair is really starting to fall out! I am pretty certain it is the Baclofen. :upset:Has anyone else here had this experience?
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.