Baclofen and Drowsiness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• PBH...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 8, 2021

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I have had TN for over 20 years. I have been on everything you can possibly think of (pills, pain shots, acupuncture). My neurologist pushed me for years to get MVD surgery, which I finally did after 12 years of pain (no meds worked), the surgery provided no relief. I am currently back on Neurontin, Tegretol, Baclofen, and Aimovig monthly shots - I'm maxed out on the medication and still having pain. I do have a few good days, which are when I either don't come home from work and sit on the floor and cry and wonder how I can keep going. I'm afraid to come off any of the meds because maybe something is getting me those good days, but what is it? I do feel like the baclofen is a big part of my relief because when I doubled it, I had some ease. Unfortunately, I have side effects with the baclofen also. I have what I call tics, which are like muscle spasms, I also have sounds in my ears that feel like I'm underwater, then there are the feeling drunk side effects sometimes, along with others."

• Haj...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 18, 2018

For Cervical Dystonia "I am prescribed baclofen 20 mgs 3 times a day. I had to cut that dosage back as this med causes extreme lethargy and sleepiness. It does very little for the horrific muscle spasms, but telling doctors this is like talking to a wall, so I use it as my sleep aid because doctors do not want to prescribe anything for that either. Can't win."

• Lin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2016

For Muscle Spasm "I was prescribed Baclofen for intermittent spasticity in my thoracic back. Also for neck and low back spasms/nerve pain, but it's been the thoracic pain in the past 2 years that more often than not is at times literally unbearable. My thoracic back at its best is constant aching/stabbing. Baclofen stinks, it makes me severely groggy (but so do many medications), and no pain relief even having tried between low to high dosages. 1500 mg of Methocarbamol before bed is an oldie but a goodie. It'll put me to sleep during the day too, but at least it works and doesn't have the bizarre loopy-type side effects. However, I DO NOT take it with any other medication that causes drowsiness, no narcotics, no alcohol, etc."

• LuD...
• May 2, 2017

For Muscle Spasm "I've only been on the medication for a few days, but it's the first time in years that I haven't had those seized knots in my back. So I am fairly happy with the medication, despite the drowsiness it's causing. I hope that in a few weeks, the drowsiness will go away. At least it doesn't knock me out like rosuvastatin or tizanidine does."

• Bec...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 20, 2021

For Muscle Spasm "Have been using as needed for muscle pain in my neck and shoulder for about a year. I take it at night, and it helps prevent waking up with headaches. I do have bouts of nausea, but I’m unsure if it is due to the baclofen or the copious amounts of ibuprofen I’ve taken over the years. I try not to use it in the daytime if I can help it, as it makes me drowsy."

• Sys...
• January 12, 2016

For Dystonia "I have focal dystonia as well as 2 failed back surgeries on my cervical spine that left me with nerve damage at the root level. I have been having very painful and disruptive muscle cramping in both arms and feet, even in my sleep. My pain management team suggested baclofen, so they started me on a course of 10 mg 3x daily. So far, I'm experiencing sleepiness, balance issues, memory issues, and other neurological problems, but no painful spasms. It is my hope that, as with other medications, the side effects should decrease over time."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 22, 2016

For Periodic Limb Movement Disorder "This medication didn't agree with me. Dr. had me on it to see if it helped my plm and restless legs. Didn't help with my symptoms, plus it made me unbearably drowsy to the point I fell asleep on the toilet in the middle of the nighttime. At the same time, I never felt as if I were sleeping well. I wanted off of them quickly."

• Sad...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 3, 2021

For Muscle Spasm "I have been taking baclofen 10 mg for 13 years. It's a wonder drug. It helps with my MS pain. I also take vitamin D 2000 mg in the morning and 500 mg cod liver tablets. I also take 200 mg gabapentin x3, as well as modafinil 100 mg x2. The modafinil is also great as it gives me energy and stops the drowsy effects of the other drugs."

• pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2018

For Muscle Spasm "Yeah, the drug works. No more back spasms, and no pain at all. Side effects many, this is my first time using it, will not use again. Dizzy, stomach aches, sleepiness. A doctor at the VA in Atlanta, GA, recommended it to me. I am not a disabled veteran, if I was, I would be able to get my teeth fixed."

• Anonymous
• March 13, 2009

Baclofen for Muscle Spasm "I have been taking baclofen for a few months for severe spasms and it is very effective with no drowsiness."

• Rav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2018

For Muscle Spasm "Made me stupid. Couldn't process thoughts properly. Gave me muscle twitches. Made me so sleepy I couldn't stay awake. Would NEVER recommend."

• Nam...
• November 24, 2016

Baclofen for Chronic Spasticity "Taken for chronic neck pain. Not only did it not help my neck pain, but it also triggered a migraine and made me very nauseous. It also caused drowsiness and chills."

• Reb...
• December 10, 2024

For Cerebral Spasticity "It controlled the amount of spasms I have a day. Drowsiness was a side effect."

• Sch...
• September 3, 2009

For Periodic Limb Movement Disorder "Quite effective. Reduces alertness level drastically."