Personal Stories
For more stories about people who chose Medtronic ITB TherapySM (Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy) to treat severe spasticity symptoms due to multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, brain injury, or spinal cord injury, visit baclofenpump.com.
Carol's Story: Life After Stroke
It was a six-year struggle for Carol to come back from the effects of a serious stroke. When she began ITB Therapy she started to see changes. Today, Carol is able to walk and is enthusiastic about her progress.
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Diana's Story: Life with MS
Since receiving Medtronic ITB TherapySM (Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy) for her severe spasticity due to multiple sclerosis, Diana no longer needs a cane to assist her in walking. She has gotten back to doing the things that she loves: gardening, camping, and accompanying her husband to disc-golf tournaments.
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Ed's Story: Life After a Stroke
In 2003, Ed sustained a stroke. He experienced severe spasticity in his left arm and leg. "It was like having a constant charley horse," recalls Ed. When Ed's doctor suggested ITB Therapy (the baclofen pump), Ed was receptive.
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Eric's Story: Life After a Brain Injury
After Eric awakened from a trauma-induced coma, he took oral baclofen to control his severe spasticity, but it made him sleepy. His mother, Susan, says, "We wanted to give him every chance. We wanted him awake and functioning, so we needed another option."
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Jason's Story: Life After a Spinal Cord Injury
After his motocross-racing injury, Jason started racing again, this time in his wheelchair. But it wasn't long before Jason suffered an onset of severe spasticity in his legs and back. "The spasms were so bad they would throw me backward out of my chair," he recalls.
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Kaleigh's Story: Life with Cerebal Palsy
To treat her severe spasticity, Kaleigh tried a year of injection therapy and casting, but didn't get the relief she hoped for. Her mother, Julie, asked Kaleigh's doctor about Medtronic ITB Therapy.
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ON ITB THERAPY
Please follow your doctor's instruction closely because a sudden stop of intrathecal baclofen therapy can result in serious illness (baclofen withdrawal symptoms) such as high fever, changed mental status, muscle rigidity, and in rare cases multiple organ-system failure and death. It is very important that your doctor be called right away if you experience any of the above symptoms.
It is important for you to keep your scheduled refill visits so you don't run out of medication (baclofen) and to understand the early symptoms of baclofen withdrawal. Some patients are at more risk than others for baclofen withdrawal; consult with your doctor.
People who suffer from severe spasticity resulting from cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, brain injury, or spinal cord injury may be a candidate for ITB Therapy. If you have spasticity due to spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis you must first fail oral baclofen. If you have experienced a traumatic brain injury you must first wait 1 year after the injury to be considered for ITB Therapy. A screening test will help show if you will respond to the intrathecal baclofen. You should not receive ITB Therapy if you have an infection, are allergic to baclofen, or your body size is too small to hold the implantable pump.
The implanted pump and catheter are surgically placed beneath the skin. Surgical complications that you may experience include infection, meningitis, spinal fluid leak, paralysis, headache, swelling, bleeding, and bruising.
The most common and/or serious drug-related side effects of ITB Therapy include loose muscles, sleepiness, upset stomach, vomiting, headaches, and dizziness. Pump failure may cause overdose or underdose of intrathecal baclofen. The signs and symptoms of overdose include drowsiness, lightheadedness, dizziness, respiratory depression (difficulty breathing), hypothermia, seizures, loss of consciousness, and coma. Once the infusion system is implanted, device complications include catheter or pump moving within the body or eroding through the skin. The catheter could leak, tear, kink, or become disconnected, resulting in underdose or no baclofen infusion. Symptoms of underdose include increase or return in spasticity, itching, low blood pressure, lightheadedness, and tingling sensation. These symptoms are often early indications of baclofen withdrawal. The pump could stop because the battery has run out or because of component failure. The pump will sound an alarm when the pump needs to be filled with baclofen, replaced or if there is a problem with the pump. Always inform any healthcare personnel that you have an implanted infusion system before any medical or diagnostic procedure such as MRI or diathermy.
For more information, please read the Lioresal® Intrathecal (baclofen injection) Full Prescribing Information and the SynchroMed Infusion System Information.
This therapy is not for everyone. Please contact your doctor. A prescription is required.
Lioresal® is a registered trademark of Medtronic, Inc.
USA Rx Only Rev 0911
Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.
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