Restarting Baclofen

[Franklyme]

I was successful with baclofen and was able to become an occasional drinker. After being on baclofen for about 1 1/2 yrs I decided to try and go off. Now I find myself back where I was before I started the first time. I am at the level of baclofen that I was on when I switched but nothing has happened. I have stayed at this dose for almost a month now. Is it possible that it won't work a second time around? I am afraid to increase the 140 mg dose I am on, because when I went on this last time I had a scary experience with breathing. And 140mg turned out to be the magic number for me. Any advice would be appreciated.

[abcowboy]

Hi Franklyme, for information regarding Baclofen and it's use, you'll probably get the best information and advice at the new medication forum. You can find it here The End Of My Addiction | Forum Discussing Alcohol Medication Hope you find the answer you are looking for!

[Wilson1]

Hi Frankly Me -

I was successful with baclofen and was able to become an occasional drinker. After being on baclofen for about 1 1/2 yrs I decided to try and go off. Now I find myself back where I was before I started the first time. I am at the level of baclofen that I was on when I switched but nothing has happened. I have stayed at this dose for almost a month now. Is it possible that it won't work a second time around? I am afraid to increase the 140 mg dose I am on, because when I went on this last time I had a scary experience with breathing. And 140mg turned out to be the magic number for me. Any advice would be appreciated.

HI Franklyme -it does not read as though you are under the medical guidance of a doctor while taking Baclofen? I think most here would agree that you should take Baclofen under medical supervision and go from there. Most all medications can either help or hurt someone -please just be careful. The scary breathing part is truly 'scary'. Just a thought.

The other forum may be able to you help you relative to the medication -'baclofen'. Please just be careful in accepting and applying any medical advice from anyone other than a medical doctor. Wow, it is a quandary is it not; wondering back to that place where we want to drink 'some' but not too much?

[Franklyme]

Thanks for the replies! I appreciate it. I will check out the site.
Frank

[Johnybegood]

I was successful with baclofen and was able to become an occasional drinker. After being on baclofen for about 1 1/2 yrs I decided to try and go off. Now I find myself back where I was before I started the first time. I am at the level of baclofen that I was on when I switched but nothing has happened. I have stayed at this dose for almost a month now. Is it possible that it won't work a second time around? I am afraid to increase the 140 mg dose I am on, because when I went on this last time I had a scary experience with breathing. And 140mg turned out to be the magic number for me. Any advice would be appreciated.

There are a lot of people who have succeeded in coming off alcohol more than once with baclofen. They are posting on the other site these days.

[neophyte]

i came off baclofen earlier this year so i could enjoy my thailand trip, im back at 270mg, original switch dose 300mg, i will eventually go back up to 300mg but work has been hectic, that said my drinking has gone down pretty much the same rate as last time, i do drink but i dont get drunk, most ill drink is 3/4 bottle of wine, for a man thats 4-5std drinks in a night. i did this on xmas to get through boring family events. ill be glad to get to 300 or even 325 when alcohol was absolutely disgusting to me.

As to spirit's suggestion of being under medical supervision, yeah that would be wonderful wouldn't it. but the reality is that there are not many doctors who are on board with high dose baclofen for treatment in US, Australia etc. unless of course you live in France.

[__serenity__]

Franklyme,

In an ideal world, we would all have a local physician who will prescribe high-dose baclofen for alcoholism. Unfortunately, most people aren't so fortunate. Baclofen is a safe drug, but it is unwise to try to do it all on your own. The other forum has titration schedules (from the French doctors who routinely prescribe baclofen for alcoholism), as well as a volume of up-to-date research and many members (including myself) who have found success with baclofen. If you decide to order online, we can give advice based on our experiences.

Welcome, and please feel free to ask any questions you may have!

[neophyte]

Franklyme,

In an ideal world, we would all have a local physician who will prescribe high-dose baclofen for alcoholism. Unfortunately, most people aren't so fortunate. Baclofen is a safe drug, but it is unwise to try to do it all on your own. The other forum has titration schedules (from the French doctors who routinely prescribe baclofen for alcoholism), as well as a volume of up-to-date research and many members (including myself) who have found success with baclofen. If you decide to order online, we can give advice based on our experiences.

Welcome, and please feel free to ask any questions you may have!

the prescribing guide is online, unfortunately we have to be our own doctors sometimes, which inspired me to research so much into baclofen and then onto learning about pharmacology.