Baclofen questions

[spigot]

Hello everyone, after seven years of daily drinking and multiple attempts to quit/moderate, I finally worked up the courage to give Dr. Levin a call today and give baclofen a try. I have a phone consultation scheduled for Tuesday, but had a couple questions:
[list type=decimal][*]When I'm prescribed baclofen, will I have 'alcoholic' on my medical records, or does Dr. Levin keep this information confidential? I have health insurance, but I plan on paying out of pocket for the medication to avoid any insurance hassles.[*]How does obtaining the prescription work? Does he just fax it to the pharmacy, or do I need to wait for a prescription in the mail?Is there any way my psychiatrist can find out about this baclofen prescription? I plan on filling it at a different pharmacy I get my usual meds from if possible. I'm in the process of a year-long klonopin taper, and she would definitely flip shit if she found out I was trying out an anti-craving drug and make me cold turkey.[/list type=decimal]
Sorry if any of these questions have been answered in previous threads. I'm just a nervous wreck right now, and really looking forward to giving baclofen a try. I'm only 22 years old and have to drink at least 1/2 a liter of vodka every night (on top of 1-2mg of klonopin and 30mg of propranolol) to function at work the next day. This shit has to stop.

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Baclofen questions

Hey spigot! Welcome to the forum.

I can't answer fully right now, but I didn't want to leave your post unanswered!

1. No. It doesn't go on your permanent record.
2. Getting a prescription filled can be very challenging. There are many posts/threads about this, but I'll clarify some when I have a bit more time.
3. No, your pdoc won't be able to find out. I would caution you to be very careful about mixing the meds you are taking with baclofen. There are several threads from people who have completely lost it when they were attempting to taper a benzo while attempting to get sober using baclofen. And by lose it, I mean that in one case there was a psychiatric hospital involved. In one case there was a suicide. It may not be directly related, but I mention it because I (personally) think it's directly related. I would never, ever encourage someone to take baclofen if they have been taking a benzo for a while. Especially if the person was starting to try to get off of the benzo.

Also, the last study done indicated that benzo use was one of the factors that inhibited the effectiveness of baclofen as a treatment. I'll try to link it here later if someone else doesn't. You can use the search engine or google to find it in a thread started by DonQuixote.

I do not mean to be discouraging. Not at all! I mean to inform and help.

Sorry. I feel like the worst for writing all that. But I also lost a friend and want others, first and foremost, to have all the information before they start on a course of action.

[COSGringo]

Baclofen questions

1) I don't believe he will put that on your record. Usually the lowest level of some minor psychiatric issue
2) The scrip process is painful, Since this is your first post I will either let you find out or be sure this is for real
3) Your pharmacy will know but your doc will only know if your pharmacy was to contact your doc. I don't see that happening.

Good luck to you. Booze and benzos are a dangerous mix but it sounds like you know that already. Keep posting and let us know.

[spigot]

Baclofen questions

Thank you for the reply. My record's already full of psychiatric issues, so what's one more? I'll ask Dr. L about the script process on Tuesday.

One more question: In Dr. A's book, he mentions baclofen gives him a sense of well being and eliminates anxiety better than traditional anxiolytics. Do people typically develop tolerance to these effects? If baclofen controls my anxiety without destroying my short-term memory that would be amazing.

[COSGringo]

Baclofen questions

Hey spigot.
I do find it helps with anxiety. Better, hard to say. I never took benzos when I was completely sober. Some of my anxiety was from the drinking itself.

I've been on it for more than a year, it still helps my anxiety. Keep in mind of the odd SE's when you titrate up. I don't want to say this will ever happen to you but I did get a couple anxiety attacks going up.

Just know what it is when it happens. Dr. L might suggest diazepam or alprazolam for sleep/insomnia. I would just tell you to have some around in case you ever have an issue like I mentioned.

You may not!

Good luck!

[RedThread12]

Baclofen questions

Hi Spigot: I don't know EXACTLY what your experience will be. That's one thing I've learned from being here, and taking bac, since Oct. '09. But I have found that, for the most part, the beneficial effects of bac (above and beyond relieving me from drinking against my will) remain. That's one of the amazing things about bac. It's not like benzo's or other GabaA grabbing drugs in that it doesn't lose its effectiveness at whatever dose you get to; and it doesn't generate "addiction" in the sense of developing tolerance and craving more. Side effects from titrating into higher doses, and making sure that you titrate down, when and if it's time to do that, are the bits to pay close attention to. Good luck!!

[chigg]

Baclofen questions

I would agree the the prescription process with Dr. L is painful, but for all he does for us it doesn't bother me in the least bit.

I'd recommend just typing out a one page document in a word processor that has your name, address and birthdate. Then Dr. Levin's name, office address, and phone number. Then Baclofen 20mg, XXX Count (how many ever he says), 4 refills. Then the same with alprazolam if he feels it's right for you.

Then just go to the pharmacy, I say something like, 'my Dr. is a little eccentric and asked me to have you call him', then hand them the document.

The only issue I've ever had is the pharmacist saying they need a daily dosage amount. I would advise just saying, 'my Dr. would like me to take as directed', and if they push back too much, go to another pharmacy. It's seriously not that bad once you just go up and do it. You're doing nothing wrong.

[spigot]

Baclofen questions

Thanks for responding everyone. Still have my appointment with Dr. L tomorrow, but received my Internet baclofen today and decided to start at 10mg 3x daily. Took my third dose a few hours ago, and so far so good. No side effects other than some light nausea in the afternoon. It's almost 9:00, but I've old managed to finish half a beer and I'm not a nervous wreck! I'm not sure if it's placebo at this point, but I'll take it. Will keep you guys updated.

[spigot]

Baclofen questions

Wow, managed to finish off last night with.... one light beer! I watched my roommate drink a 12-pack and half a bottle of vodka last night, and refused numerous shots/beers without a problem. Normally without alcohol, I'd be pissed off, antisocial, and feeling 'left out.' Somehow, I actually enjoyed conversing without booze. Had a few minor cravings, but I just thought about how nice today's work meetings without a hangover would be. Really felt like something 'clicked' in my brain when I took my first 10mg dose. Even on massive doses of benzos, I've never felt anxiety relief like this. It's only day two, but it feels great to finally have some hope rather than being stuck in a narcissistic alcoholic rut.

[ljeanner]

Baclofen questions

spigot;1469639 wrote: It's only day two, but it feels great to finally have some hope rather than being stuck in a narcissistic alcoholic rut.

Congrats Spigot! Love the phrase.

[spigot]

Baclofen questions

Finally had my appointment with Dr. L tonight. My prescription for legitimate baclofen will be filled tomorrow! (after an hour battle with the pharmacist) Had to serve one of my roommates/friends an eviction notice for failing to pay rent for the second month in a row. Ended up drinking six shots of vodka in a row from the stress/unnecessary guilt. Surprisingly, I consider it a small victory. Normally I would've downed the entire bottle. After the alcohol hit, I took a nap because I really didn't enjoy the buzz. Looking forward to titrating up next week. There's something to this baclofen.

[Xadrian]

Baclofen questions

spigot;1470040 wrote: There's something to this baclofen.

There is.

[spigot]

Baclofen questions

Ugh, hangovers on baclofen suck. Feel like I downed a gallon of vodka. :H No urge to drink tonight at least. Think I'm going to have my first AF night in a loooong time. On another note, is it normal for Dr. L to charge $130 a week for phone calls? I'm going to double-check with him later this week, but there's no way in hell I can fit that into my budget.

[MaryGoRound]

Baclofen questions

S. -

To your original questions:

1. Dr. L is very careful to not mention a diagnosis in his treatments. I specifically asked him about this in my last visit and he said he never mentions "why" he prescribes a treatment. This is a confidentiality issue. I hope these rules will last new changes on health care...but for now, his rule is Dr/Patient confidentiality.

2. Pharmacy issues are a continuing problem. You need to either;
A) Take it in your eown hands and dictate the prescribed dose you need (Dr. L. will not advocate your dose. You need to prescribe your own dose and he will approve. This is a really strange relationship with pharmacies. He will approve what your prescibe yourself but, again, this is a very strange relationship.
B) Demand he script you a dose when you see him with written instructions

3.) Pharmacies do talk but, more importantly, if you have insurance the insurance company is keeping track. Bac is not a "flag" expense item since its cost is low and it is unlikly to get noticed but I personally worry about it on my record. The alternative is getting it filled by overseas pharmacies or by getting the dose you need by "research" pharmacies. Note, I prefer this method since it allows the "legitimacy" of the prescription (backed by an expert) but separate sourcing which will allow you to get what you need without getting notes on your record.

Does this make sense? I continue to be sad that we have to hide our motives but it is much better than hiding behind multiple liquor stores! In my case, I did lots of maneuvering to hide my habit so if I have to do some more to get better at least I know the deal.

[spigot]

Baclofen questions

Thanks Mary. Got everything sorted with the pharmacy today, and finally have a legitimate bottle of baclofen in hand. Still trying to figure out why Dr. L is charging me $130 a week, though. Think I'm going to try negotiating with him when I give him a call this Friday. The prices I've seen other members mention in previous threads are much, much lower.