My spasticity mainly affects my right leg. The Botox injections that I get every three months help, but the benefits only last about eight weeks. I have tried taking Baclofen and Tizanidine orally, but couldn’t tolerate these meds even at low doses. Magnesium oil balm and topical CBD help, but they really only take the edge off when I’m having a flare-up. I did a little searching and stumbled upon topical Baclofen and topical Tizanidine, which I had never heard of before. I’m wondering how effective they are and if, because they are topical rather than oral, the side effects are less. Has anyone used these meds topically?
Hi Oak,
I am reading your story regarding spasticity and oral Baclofen. Please read my story caused by a spinal AVM (DAVF) at T10 in my profile, so I do not need to repeat everything here. After laminectomy in October 2015 I could walk again and slowly gaining my sensory feelings of my legs. I believe because I could feel pain again in my legs, I felt my spasticity on both legs since mid 2016. I took oral Baclofen to control my spasticity and taking 80 mg/day oral Baclofen. Because highdose Baclofen is not good for my kidney and liver, the rehabilitation specialist suggested to me for an ITB pump inplant. ITB = Intrathecal Baclofen. The ITB pump was implanted in my abdomen in Feb 2020 and my spasticity has reduced and no more oral Baclofen. The ITB pump is currently supplying 500 micrograms of Baclofen directly into the spinal cord. The liquid Baclofen needs to be re-filled every 5 months by injecting 40 ml into the ITB pump refiling membrane. The ITB pump needs to be replaced every 6 - 7 years, because the battery will runout. I am already having the ITB pump almost 5 years and happy with it.
Hope my reply helps.
Regards,
Franz
@Oak Wow. I have never heard of topical Rx for spasticity. Thanks for mentioning it. I wish you the best in your recovery.
@Franz_K Thanks for this info as well. I’m currently on 180mg/day of Baclofen, (60mg three times a day). Bloodwork hasn’t shown any marked signs of liver issues but it’s something to look out for. Thank you as well.
Wow … 180mg/day is a high dose. My nerve rehabilitation specialist was already worried I am taking 80mg/day (20mg 4x/day) for a few years. Now my 500microgram/day dose = 0.5mg/day.
It is! I lower it when I can, but I am thinking about the high dose. While I’ve been told by one neuro that he’s seen even higher does with some, it’s still a concern. I wish you well with your intracathecal. Have a great day.
@Franz_K and @dickK thank you for responding and sharing your stories. I wish I could tolerate Baclofen or Tizanidine. I tried them both at minuscule doses. They made my blood pressure drop so low, I felt like I was on anesthesia. I met with my physiatrist on Friday. We discussed topical Baclofen and topical Tizanidine. He discouraged me from trying either because both drugs work systemically, not locally. They act on the brain and central nervous system, not on the muscles. So, there’s no point in using a topical. Fortunately, Botox injections do help curb my spasticity. Botox is not a 100% cure, but it does help a lot. I also use topical full-spectrum CBD, which helps calm my nervous system when my clonus flares up. Both of these interventions improve my comfort and my function without bothersome side effects. For that, I am grateful. Take good care.
