Connect with others who understand.

  •   Learn from expert-reviewed resources
  •   Real advice from people who’ve been there
  •   People who understand what you’re going through
Sign Up Log In
All Resources Treatments A-Z Personal Assistant Help Center Crisis
Powered By
Real members of MyMSTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

leg spasms keep me up when trying to sleep

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
Long Beach, CA

baclofen is prescribed but if I take more than 4 a day, i am drugged

January 13
 · 
Reactions
A MyMSTeam Member

Have you tried magnesium glycinate? It also relaxes you so you can rest. It helps me at bedtime. I take tizanidine as well. It works better for me than baclofen did, but everyone is different in symptoms and medication responses. I hope this helps.... Prayers for pain free rest my friend.

January 13
A MyMSTeam Member

Thanks so much. I love having support, it gets me out of my head especially
when I need to respond with action.

January 13
A MyMSTeam Member

Ropin/ropinirole this worked AMAZINGLY for me (and my wife is grateful she gets some sleep without being jolted or kicked out of bed) , I managed to actually sleep , been taking it for about 4 years now and wow , I sleep properly without .the exhaustion . This for me was magic.

January 13
A MyMSTeam Member

It is so nice to have a sounding board, to be heard and vent frustration that MS causes. Thanks

January 13
MyMSTeam

How can you manage nighttime leg spasms when baclofen makes you feel too drowsy?

Nighttime leg spasms are incredibly frustrating, and you're not alone in experiencing this. Many people with MS struggle with spasms that disrupt sleep, and finding the right balance with baclofen can be tricky.

Since baclofen only lasts a Show Full Answer

How can you manage nighttime leg spasms when baclofen makes you feel too drowsy?

Nighttime leg spasms are incredibly frustrating, and you're not alone in experiencing this. Many people with MS struggle with spasms that disrupt sleep, and finding the right balance with baclofen can be tricky.

Since baclofen only lasts a few hours, some people find it helpful to time their doses strategically. Taking baclofen specifically at night might help reduce spasms during sleep without needing as many doses throughout the day.

If the drowsiness from baclofen is too much, here are some options to discuss with your healthcare provider:

- Adjusting your dosing schedule to take baclofen primarily at bedtime
- Trying the liquid form of baclofen, which may allow for more precise dosing
- Exploring whether intrathecal baclofen (a pump) might cause fewer side effects like drowsiness
- Considering other spasticity treatments if baclofen isn't working well enough

The drowsiness you're experiencing is one of the most common side effects of baclofen, affecting about 45 percent of people who take it. If baclofen helps your spasms but the side effects are too difficult to manage, your healthcare team may be able to adjust your treatment plan.

Don't stop or change your baclofen dose without talking to your doctor first, as stopping suddenly can cause serious withdrawal symptoms.

January 13

Related Questions

View All

Anyone done Ocrevus (?)

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
Joliet, IL
February 19, 2018

Has anyone had good results from Ocrevus? How long after ?

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
sGUTgQs9NZGsDP8XAZrd
February 2, 2018

Ocrevus

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
Norton, MA
November 2, 2017

Muscle Spasms in MS: What Do They Feel Like?
What Does MS Leg Weakness Feel Like? Causes and Tips
Bladder Spasms and MS: Understanding the Connection