While not the most balanced information, you can get ahold of Medtronic
Neurological Technical Services.  They can also give you some of the pros
and cons.  Pros are that the sleepiness is decreased remarkably as the
Baclofen is directly admiinstered to the spinal cord via a pump.  Cons, you
have to keep the pump filled and that requires going back to the doctor as
in rare cases withdrawal can cause side effects.  It's longer lasting than
botox.  Botox can be used in conjunction with aggressive therapy (my
personal bias is OT) and splinting to pull out contractures that haven't
become permanent.  It sounds like Janet has a lot of trunk and neck
involvement, especially with the thoracic outlet syndrome and upper
extremity pain.  Unfortunately, the baclofen doesn't get there as well but,
since upper extremity sits on lower extermity, she could do exercises that
would strengthen her trunk and hips.  Good neuromuscular massage and therapy
in the pool or on a horse help out a lot.

Beth t.

-----Original Message-----
From: St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kendall David Corbett
Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2005 6:30 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: CP and the baclofen pump

Does anyone have any experience with using a baclofen pump (either
personally or professionally?).  Janet and her neurologist are having a hard
time getting her spasticity under control with oral baclofen, Dantrium, and
Valium.  It looks like the next best option is probably the pump.  We'd like
to hear about any of your experiences, good or bad, to help her/us with that
decision.  She's presently getting PT, including iontophoresis (sp?) to help
with the spasticity in her arms.
Her doc has diagnosed a whole bunch of syndromes in her dominant (left)
hand/arm, including thoracic outlet syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome.
The ionto seems to be helping with the pain somewhat, and the PT is somewhat
helpful, but our insurance limits PT for something not related to a specific
injury to 10 in a calendar year.  As she's using her right arm more to
compensate for decreased function in the left, it's starting to hurt, too.

=20

Kendall and Janet Corbett =20