Baclofen Is Helping Me Sleep

I have always had anxiety about taking medication. Even before I became sick, I was reluctant to take any medication, even paracetamol. I’m not sure why, but putting medication into my body has never sat well with me -- especially stronger medications. I hate feeling out of control; it scares me so much.

I quickly had to get over this fear when my ankylosing spondylitis symptoms began. Over the past few years, I've been taking many different medications, often very strong ones. A huge sense of anxiety comes over me whenever I begin a new medication. I’ve been practicing mindfulness to overcome this anxious feeling, but I haven’t been able to master it yet.

The decision to try baclofen for spasms

In March, at my third pain management appointment, my doctor prescribed baclofen. This is a muscle relaxant tablet that helps calm muscle spasms. I am using it along with Botox, and while it took some time to work, both medications are thankfully working well!

Baclofen is helping me sleep!

As it turns out, while easing my muscle spasms, it is also helping me sleep! Yes, you read that correctly, it is helping me with my insomnia symptoms! I thought to myself, "This won't last forever. This has happened before."

I take an additional tablet for muscle spasms every night called amitriptyline. For the first two to three weeks, it really helped me fall asleep and stay asleep. But my body quickly got used to it and it doesn’t help anymore. I’ve been taking this for two years now and it does not aid my sleep at all.

Understanding the long-term effects of baclofen on sleep

In contrast, I’ve been taking baclofen for five weeks as I write this, and it is still helping me fall asleep and stay asleep! So, I decided to do some research.

What research shows about the impact

According to the website ‘Neurology Advisor,’ a very small study was done on baclofen and sleep. This was a study of only five people, so it was very small. But the data showed that baclofen can offer sleep benefits. It reduces sleep latency and increases slow-wave sleep. Baclofen has been shown to increase both REM and non-REM sleep duration. I believe this is what is happening to me, along with feeling drowsy after I take it.

Possible baclofen side effects: drowsiness and nausea

As I said, this was a very small study that was researched. I am in no way advising anyone to ask their doctor for this tablet specifically for insomnia. I have been prescribed this medication because I have been living with debilitating chronic muscle spasms in my neck for two years. This is the only tablet that has helped my spasms, and it is a huge plus that it is also helping me sleep.

This tablet does make me feel drowsy, and sometimes nauseous. I make sure to eat before taking it, and I take a stomach protector called Nexium with it. I will happily tolerate these side effects as the medication is helping my spasms so much and helping me sleep!

Baclofen makes a difference for my insomnia

Often, my muscle spasms used to wake me up. Thanks to baclofen this has stopped!

Let’s hope it continues to help my sleep. I hope my body doesn’t get used to it like it did with amitriptyline.

What medications have been successful for your insomnia? Share what has worked for you in this forum!