I may be way off base here, but over the years I have met some clientele who
have been so physically involved that either accessing a communication
device or just simply typing and operating a computer is a challenge and
very tiresome, would Baclofen help in this regard?  If no one knows, I can
always ask one of our speech-language pathologists at work to see if they
have any research on this.  One thing I have learned from the engineers I
have access to, sure we can develop great technology, but other things like
PT & OT are needed to get better results instead of just having a good
device available.  

Thanks, 
Anthony 
Visit my website at www.anthonyarnold.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Cerebral Palsy List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Kendall David Corbett
Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2006 2:24 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: label/hand surgery/pump

Wanda,
=20
YMMV; in Janet's case, she wanted to go higher on the oral baclofen, but =
her neurologist said "Are you nuts?  You weigh 110 pounds, and you're =
getting 120 mgs a day now!"  You're right about dosage differentials, in =
that ITB doses are measured in _micrograms_, where oral is in =
_milligrams_.  When Janet was first at 120 mgs/day of oral, she was very =
sleepy (falling asleep in meetings, etc. - some of that's normal, but =
falling dead asleep is another thing.).  In an otherwise active kid, =
this could well be a problem.

________________________________

From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wed 3/15/2006 8:46 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: label/hand surgery/pump



In a message dated 3/14/2006 1:56:09 PM Central Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
> Baclofen itself doesn't negatively impact intellect, although =
depending
> on the degree of spasticity and/or dystonia a person has, and the =
dosage
> of oral Baclofen required to control that spasticity/dystonia, it can
> cause lethargy/drowsiness.  That's why Janet and her neurologist =
decided
> to go with the pump, because it makes it possible to introduce the =
drug
> directly into the spinal fluid, where it acts directly, without nearly
> as many side effects. =3D20
>
Kendall,
I have to disagree with you here.  Ryan took oral Baclofen for a short =
time,
and he complained very pitifully: "I can't think."
My understanding of the pump is that the dosage of Baclofen administered =
into
the spine can be reduced to a minuscule quantity, compared to the oral
medication, with much greater positive effects because the medicine goes =
straight
where it is needed without having to cross the blood-brain barrier.
I'm so glad to hear this is working out well for Janet!
Continued success,
Wanda