Has anyone used muscle relaxants for c.p.?

I used Flexiril for a bad hand spasm and hated it!

I use Baclofen, which I'm pretty sure is a muscle relaxant. I think it was originally developed for MS but is also used specifically for CP. It has helped, and also decreased my startle reflex at least somewhat (now it's mostly just my legs that move when I jump, whereas before I would drop stuff that I was holding in my hands). So yeah, if you go to a neurologist or anything maybe ask about that?

I used Flexiril for a bad hand spasm and hated it!


Why'd you hate it, Katherine? I know my mom's tried Flerxiril and something else (not for CP, of course, but something else.) and it made her a very mean craby witch 24/7, but we're weird people over here when it comes to meds. lol

I use Baclofen, which I'm pretty sure is a muscle relaxant. I think it was originally developed for MS but is also used specifically for CP. It has helped, and also decreased my startle reflex at least somewhat (now it's mostly just my legs that move when I jump, whereas before I would drop stuff that I was holding in my hands). So yeah, if you go to a neurologist or anything maybe ask about that?


A few months ago, I went to see a neurologist about my legs to see what else good be done with me. Docs were suggesting surgery yet again, but for some reason they never act on it. Anyway I told him that I was taking Baclofen and he told me it's not for CPers. He said it wouldn't work for me. It's crazy because I was taking the medicine faithfully as prescribed by my primary doc but it wasn't doing any good. Because of this, I had to assume he was right.

So does this medicine particularly work for certain people with CP?

I have a few friends who are Pharmacists. They've told me that Baclofen is contraindicated for CP.

well basically, I have entire conversations that I can't remember during the week I was on flexiril. I felt like I was in a walking coma, lol! I was also taking a small dose of xanax at the time so that may have had something to do with it. It didn't work very well on the spasm but it definitely relaxed me over all.

Bulkhead, did your friend tell you why is Baclofen contraindicated for CP?

I took it at 12 and 16 for about 2 months and it did nothing at the time (I did not have my quadriceps as tight as they are now). Now at 30 I started to take it again a couple of months ago for my tight quads and it helps a bit to decrease the spasticity in them.

Kat

I have a few friends who are Pharmacists. They've told me that Baclofen is contraindicated for CP.

That's interesting...but that doesn't really make sense considering I got it from my neurologist who knows a lot about CP. Plus, then how do you explain the Baclofen pump? :) And the Baclofen doesn't totally eliminate the spasms/reflex, it just helps a little. I'm also on the highest doseage possible so maybe that has something to do with it.

After you guys mentioned Flexiril (sp?) I did a search on it, and that said it hasn't been effective in people with CP...maybe some doctors just give us stuff without knowing for sure it will or won't work, lol

OK, I found this:

"Benzodiazepines such as diazepam are the oldest and most frequently used oral agents for spasticity related to spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, and cerebral vascular accident. The clinical effects of diazem include improved passive range of motion and reduction in hyperreflexia as well as painful spasms. These agents also cause sedation and improve anxiety (5).

Baclofen has been widely used for spasticity since 1967. Most studies indicate that it improves clonus, spasm frequency and joint range of motion resulting in improved functional status for the patient. Side effects are predominantly from central depressant properties including sedation, ataxia, weakness and fatigue. Tolerance to the medication may develop. Baclofen must be slowly weaned to prevent withdrawal effects such as seizures, hallucinations and increased spasticity. When this medication is used in combination with tizanidine or benzodiazepines the patient should be monitored for unwanted depressant effects(5).

Patients with cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injury respond best with dantrolene sodium. It is less likely that the other agents to cause drowsiness, confusion and other central effects because of its mechanism of action. Dantrolene sodium has been shown to decrease muscle tone, clonus and muscle spasm. The action of this agent is not selective for spastic muscles and it may cause generalized weakness, including weakness of the respiratory muscles. The side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, fatigue and diarrhea (5).

Tizanidine is used for the treatment of spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury. It differs from other antispasticity agents, enabling the avoidance of certain drug dependence, intolerance and interactions. Objective measures of muscle strength demonstrate no adverse effects from tizanidine. Patients report less muscle weakness from tizanidine than baclofen or diazepam. When combined with baclofen, tizanidine presents the opportunity to maximize side effects by reducing the dosage of both drugs. If tizanidine is prescribed in conjunction with baclofen or benzodiazepines, the patient will experience possible additive effects, including sedation (6).

One treatment method that has consistently produced positive results for spasticity patients is the injection of Botulinum toxin, or BOTOX. BOTOX is injected directly into the spastic muscle with the person receiving a dose according to body weight. A small needle is used to administer the BOTOX and there is only minor discomfort associated with the brief treatment. BOTOX can be given without anesthesia and few complications have been reported from it other than the fact it can cause localized weakness, which is actually its desired response. Range of motion exercises and other spasticity-reducing techniques can be used immediately following injection. This form of treatment generally lasts about 12 weeks, then another dose can be administered. If enough tissue lengthening has occurred through stretching and splinting, a permanent effect of increased range of motion can be realized(7)."

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro99/web3/Byrd.html

Diazepam=Valium

Yeah so based on that, I think the meds used for CP really just depend on what your particular doctor likes to use/thinks will work. :)

this is the first time I've read that baclofen isn't supposed to be used for CP. I mean, I know it doesn't work for everyone, but with the baclofen pump being such a common treatment it doesn't really make sense.

I have a few friends who are Pharmacists. They've told me that Baclofen is contraindicated for CP.

For some people with CP, baclofen is good; for others it is not.

What I have heard is that some people with CP can only walk, because of their spastic muscles. So if you take away the spasticity (with baclofen in this case) the person is no longer able to walk and that puts them in a less able position. So, the baclofen, kind of did something not so great...

Maybe this is what those doctors/pharmasists mean?

Michelle, that's the situation I'm in. That's also the reason why they won't give me botox anywhere in my legs.

Hey guys!

I am 42 with spastic L hemiplegia. I get BOTOX shots to relieve spasticity, and I take ti****dine (zanaflex), which works rather well for me. I was offered baclofen but they (docs) decided that the sedative effects would be more of a negative effect than the good the drug would do for the spasticity.

I wasn't sure that the zanaflex was actually doing anything after taking it for a year. I went off of it and quickly found out that yes it was infact controlling my muscle spasms. I went right back on it. I take it at night and don't get too many problems with the sedative effect. I would say that side effect isn't really there for me.

But like the other posts have stated not all drugs are for everyone as each case of CP is very unique.

Lastramy

Bulkhead, did your friend tell you why is Baclofen contraindicated for CP?Kat

This was about 15 years ago, so I don't really remember? I'll try to find out and get back to you.

Talked to one of my friends,

She said the package insert that comes in the bottles of Baclofen actually say that it is contra-indicated for CP.

She suspects it has to do with the drug working on the brains receptors and those are likely the receptors which were damaged at the onset of CP thus rendering the drug inefffective.

As always, follow your doctors advice, as he may know something specific about your individual case.

I took Daypro after having extremely painful muscle spasms in my legs about 6 years ago. I could not bear weight for several days.
I've been in 3 car wrecks and have had to be on muscle relaxants as a result of the muscle spasms. I did not like the sedating effects of the muscle spasms.