My Baclofen experience so far

[Greg]

My Baclofen experience so far

Hey there GW,

I just wanted to say that I relate 100 percent to using alcohol as a self-medication for depression. My depression came first, alcohol came second (strictly speaking, social anxiety came first, then isolation/loneliness, then depression, and finally drinking). I really grew tired of people at AA re-interpreting my story, saying that my depression had to be caused by alcohol and would go away if I stopped drinking. A few suggested I was making excuses by saying the depression came first. I do have to say that alcohol does cause more depression of its own in many cases however, even though it helps with escape from it for a while. For me, when nothing else was able to reduce the depression, I was glad to just have a few hours of relief from it with alcohol...I knew alcohol wasn't an overall answer but the escape was enough for me until alcohol really started causing me severe and constant problems (including worsened depression).

I have met many helpful and kind people at AA, and I still go to meetings sometimes for sober social contact and to have an activity to do at night (when I used to drink). AA's steps can also help some people with personal growth, but it's definitely not for everyone. It can turn many people off, especially preaching type behaviour and dogmatic interpretation of personal stories. Also, members saying it's the only way to overcome alcoholism is not correct. The rejection of all medication, and saying people taking medication are not really sober, is something that happens at some meetings but not all.

As for being totally willing to stop drinking, I wasn't! I don't think I have ever experienced such a sure state of mind, even though so many people in recovery groups and rehabs say you must be totally ready to quit. Hitting rock bottom does force many to finally want to quit, and I had reached a stage where the side of me wanting to quit grew stronger than the side of me wanting to keep drinking. I only reached this stage due to alcohol's negative effects becoming way more prominent and long-lasting than its helpful effects, but part of me still wanted to find ANY way possible to keep drinking but avoid the consequences. I still think this way at times.

I am taking a lowish baclofen dose now, not for alcoholism but for a couple of problems with other drugs, which I had turned to as substitutes for alcohol. I'd suggest sticking with baclofen, since it's almost the only treatment for alcoholism I have heard of that can stop the inner mental battle over wanting to quit but wanting to keep drinking. Once that is controlled, staying away from alcohol would be far easier. Some say it's effortless after reaching that state. I now wish I had switched from alcohol straight to baclofen, rather than using other drugs first.

Anyhow, good luck with it!

[DrunkAndTiredInFLA]

My Baclofen experience so far

Hello all! I am new to these forum's; however, I have seen them the past few months. I am on my 5th week taking baclofen and currently taking 20mg three times a day. I have been slow to take a higher dose as my body has been having mild side effects. I just started taking 20mg three times a day last Sunday and have decided to continue with this amount this week due to my side effects. I am getting very sleepy. I was on 10mg three times a day for two weeks, because I was feeling slightly wacked out. For those of you who are wondering, I have read Dr. Ameisen's book. I am also working with Dr. Levin. I decided to finally sign on to the forum to read what other people have went through on their journey and to find out if anyone else gets or has gotten as sleepy as I am getting. It's very discouraging. =( Well that's it for now. All responses are appreciated. Thank you! =)

[DrunkAndTiredInFLA]

My Baclofen experience so far

Bump

[Godwhacker]

My Baclofen experience so far

@DrunkAndTired:

Are you still drinking? It may be that you need to stop completely before the side-effects go away.

If it's affecting you badly then you're probably going to want to stick at the lower dose until your body gets used to it, or try a higher dose for a day or two and see if it gets better. Some medicines have different side-effects at different doses. Alternatively, try getting some regular exercise and see if you can get some extra medication to help you stay awake.

I hate to say it, but if you do all that and you're really feeling whacked out all the time you may need to try a different medication. I can't offer medical advice, but have a look at this:

Baclofen Side Effects | Drugs.com

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Baclofen:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); abnormal thoughts or movements (........) tremor; unusual tiredness or weakness.

So, if exercise, coffee and a different dose don't solve the problem, you might just have to try something different

[DrunkAndTiredInFLA]

My Baclofen experience so far

Thank you Godwhacker. Yes, I am still drinking. I wondered if that could be the reason why I get tired. The odd thing is that I get tired around 3pm and it's only if I am sitting at home. Unfortunately, I have to sit at home because I am a student, and I have homework to do. I was only feeling wacky my first week taking 10mg three times a day. Before that I was taking 5mg and didn't notice anything. I am going to try to not drink. If the side effects continue then I will go back down to 10mg three times a week and stick with that for awhile. I have hope that if I am on the medicine long enough that "the switch" will happen regardless.

[bleep]

My Baclofen experience so far

Hi D&T,

Those side effects are pretty normal, I'm afraid. Going really slowly will probably mean that you just have to experience them for longer, so my advice would actually be to start going up. I find the somnolence is much worse if you are sitting at a desk, and will fade if you can get up and walk around a bit. Hang in there, indifference is worth putting up with a few SE's! You can drink while taking baclofen, but it does make the SE's a little worse, in my experience. Unfortunately, we have found that time on baclofen is not important - it's the dose you have to get to that is.

Whacker, the one thing we've managed to work out about baclofen is that it isn't related, in any way, to weight. Fat Welshmen have found indifference at 150mg's, slim and toned people from Africa have had to go to 400mg's, so it's all over the place in the weight department. We haven't identified a single characteristic that applies to the level of baclofen required for indifference. Alas.

And I hate to tell you this, seeing as how he was such a stalwart companion and all, but Ambrose looks more like a frog to me. And I think I know why he died.

[Murphyx]

My Baclofen experience so far

Drunkandtired, why don't you start a new thread so people can respond directly to your concerns?

[DrunkAndTiredInFLA]

My Baclofen experience so far

You think I should go up? I am worried that if I go up it will be even worse. lol Dr. Levin told me to stay on the 10mg for an extra week because of the side effects. Perhaps I will call him to see what he says. I don't want to give up and that's why I made the decision to come to the forums. I want to hear what other people have experienced. Thanks Bleep! =)

[bleep]

My Baclofen experience so far

Well, it's been my experience, and those of a lot of others, that various SE's are dose dependent. Somnolence is pretty universal at all levels though.

What we have found though, is that going up doesn't necessarily make the SE's worse, just different. You could always try it and see, and then reduce if it doesn't work?

[DrunkAndTiredInFLA]

My Baclofen experience so far

Thanks Bleep. Does it ever go away? You said that somnolence happens at any level. I can only assume that it gets worst the higher the dosage. I guess it won't hurt to try this next week. However, if this keeps on like this then I won't have a choice but to discontinue taking the medicine. I am a student. I have to focus on school. I can hardly read right now. I am so tired, and I have a midterm tomorrow. =(

[bleep]

My Baclofen experience so far

It does, but it takes a while. What does happen in the meantime is that you learn to cope with it better. You'll find there are periods in the day when you are more tired - during these periods try do some exercise, and schedule your studies in periods when you are most alert. Coffee is your friend! Look at a supplement called Piracetam. This will help with your studies whether you are on baclofen or not, but definitely it helps with the somnolence.

It's worth hanging in there. When you come out the other side, your whole life opens up.

[DrunkAndTiredInFLA]

My Baclofen experience so far

I don't drink coffee. I can't stand the taste of it. lol What exactly is Piracetam? Has anyone had any issues with coughing while on baclofen? I have noticed that I have been coughing. However, this could be do to allergies. I thought I would ask though. Thanks again Bleep =)

[RudyB]

My Baclofen experience so far

hey drunk and tired, i know so many of us can relate. i recommend that you start your own thread. your challenges will get a lot more attention that way, and you will get support that is bound to be very helpful in this sometimes challenging but mostly very rewarding process. there are several senior members who have been instrumental in helping others (sometimes limp) along their way to freedom. give it a whirl! no need to be shy. that's how i got here, to 200 mgs and indifferent for 6 days. free and clear!

good luck to you.

[RudyB]

My Baclofen experience so far

ne and god, i would love to have an open discussion about aa. it's something i've been thinking and talking (like w sis) about a lot latetly. should we be so bold as to start a thread on it?! i say LET'S!

[RudyB]

My Baclofen experience so far

and greg, i see you're thinking about it, too. my favorite thing about aa was the fellowship you describe. but the language of the first step (admitting you're powerless over alcohol) is problematic for me. our words are very powerful, so why would you consciously reinforce a notion that you are desperately trying to shed?!