Baclofen and Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a disorder that affects body movement, coordination, balance, and posture in individuals who have suffered brain paralysis/brain damage within areas of the brain that controls our muscles and movement. The damage can occur during, before, or after birth causing developmental delays. These delays can affect how bones form, vision, digestion, eating, dental, walking, speech, swallowing, as well as learning disabilities.

Depending on the severity of the damage, individuals cerebral palsy can range from mild to moderate making it hard to "see" that a person indeed has cp. There are various types of cp identified by what area of the body has the most damage from the paralysis. A large percentage of cp cases involved individuals who have spastic quadriplegia (increased muscle tone/tightness/jerky movements) the cp is profound in the entire body.

Because Jordan has spastic cp she was given Baclofen; a muscle relaxer to control the movements and the pain accompanied with having tight muscles. In the beginning, baclofen did exactly as the warnings stated which were drowsiness and dizziness. She was falling asleep in school and going to bed shortly after taking the dosage. As the months went by, I noticed a change in her muscle tone and she began to loosen up in the hamstrings area, and in her lower legs. She began to extend her gait more and there was a difference. However, the drowsiness and dizziness decreased and I began to wonder if she was becoming immune to the drug; is it really working?

We just had our 6 months re-check for services, and the doctor increased the baclofen because she noticed Jordan was still tight. We talked about botox which is usually administered when the individual is younger because the effects lasts longer. The doctor ordered a kidney test because baclofen in broken down within the kidneys and as we grow, our kidneys slowly began to decline. Baclofen side effects also includes seizures, nausea, vomiting, and low blood pressure. My first reaction was "Oh lord and whoa" because of the increase in dosage she ordered. But this just comes with the territory. Don't be afraid of medication because often it is necessary to treat the condition, but as a parent we don't want our child's behavior changing or the possibility of one of the side effects effecting our child. Make sure you monitor all changes, keep a journal if possible to record the slightest thing. Be sure to communicate with your practitioner because you are the person with the child the most. Don't be afraid to speak up, your words are important and can mean a world of difference in how the professionals will diagnosis. Your opinion, and observations are not only important, but they are needed to fully see the big picture your child is showing. Trust God, yourself, and the professionals he called to assist your through this and all things will work together. Be blessed.