Re: Baclofen
AZMAINIAC (AZMAINIAC(AT)prodigy.net)
Thu, 30 Apr 1998 15:29:16 -0700
Claudia,
Baclofen is an antispasmodic which is taken orally or delivered by a
Medtronic Synchromed Infusion Pump.
I have the pump. I took baclofen orally, but it do not do much good. The
doctor who did the blind study on me for the pump explained that in some
people(Me!), by the time the medication gets through the liver and blood
brain barrier, there is not much left to get to where it is needed.
The pump is about the size of a hockey puck and is implanted in my left
abdomen just under the skin. A catheter(tube), also just under the skin
goes from the pump to my spinal column about L4.
The liquid medication is pumped continuously to that point. I used to take
80 mg orally a day and it did nothing. I get 1.2 mg a day(50 micrograms per
hour).
Before I got the pump, I could stand up for about minutes. I can now walk
around my apartment. It also decreased the spasms that I would get in my
left leg.
My ex father-in-law was a pharmacist and so was his best buddy who worked
for Geigy. When I first started taking baclofen in 1978(It had been out for
about 6 months), I got a lecture directly from the Geigy rep. The on thing
he stressed was, "Don't quit Baclofen cold turkey!"
John
----------
> From: Claudia Erb <cmerb(AT)micron.net>
> To: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com
> Subject: Re: Baclofen
> Date: Thursday, April 30, 1998 12:49 AM
>
> OK here's where you all find out how dumb I really am - or my
> doctors(they've never mentioned it to me) - one or the other - but I
> need someone to tell me what exactly Baclofen is, how it's administered,
> what it is prescribed for and how has it helped or hindered you. You've
> mentioned it many times on the list and I'd really like to know more
> about it.
> Thanks for your patience with me -
> Living in the Sonshine,
> Claudia in Idaho