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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.

Do you have sleep apnea? I believe I have developed it and I’m worried about my medications.

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭

Currently I’m on baclofen daily and add tizanadine on bad days. I was supposed to start gabapentin but I have not. I started taking baclofen exactly one year ago. I was originally at a low dose and we gradually increased as time went on. In December after coming home from a trip to Puerto Rico I was exhausted and stressed. For two weeks the muscle spasms and cramping was out of control and we upped it to 80 mg…..20 mg 4 times a day. For the past several months the fatigue has gotten out of… read more

April 22
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MyMSTeam

Are you experiencing sleep apnea symptoms and concerned about your baclofen dose?

Your symptoms of extreme fatigue, falling asleep sitting up, and waking up gasping definitely warrant immediate medical attention. While baclofen can cause fatigue and drowsiness as common side effects, the gasping episodes you're describing Show Full Answer

Are you experiencing sleep apnea symptoms and concerned about your baclofen dose?

Your symptoms of extreme fatigue, falling asleep sitting up, and waking up gasping definitely warrant immediate medical attention. While baclofen can cause fatigue and drowsiness as common side effects, the gasping episodes you're describing need to be evaluated by your doctor right away to determine if sleep apnea or another issue is involved.

You're currently on the maximum daily dose of baclofen (80 mg), which may be contributing to your overwhelming fatigue. However, it's crucial that you do not stop baclofen suddenly without medical guidance. Abruptly stopping baclofen can lead to severe withdrawal effects, including increased muscle stiffness, fever, confusion, seizures, or hallucinations. What you should do:

Contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible to discuss:
- Your gasping episodes and extreme fatigue for proper sleep apnea evaluation
- Whether your baclofen dose can be safely adjusted or reduced gradually
- Alternative spasticity treatments if baclofen side effects are too severe
- A plan for managing your neuropathic pain

Many MyMSTeam members have found that baclofen causes significant fatigue. One member shared, "Baclofen wipes me out (even more fatigue), but it works well on the muscle spasms." Your doctor can help you find the right balance between symptom relief and manageable side effects, or explore other treatment options like intrathecal baclofen, which may cause fewer side effects.

Your safety comes first—please reach out to your medical team before making any medication changes.

April 22

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