Low dose Naltrexone (LDN) therapy is becoming quite common in the US and is used in pain cases like fibromyalgia and inflammatory conditions such as Crohn’s and Rheumatoid Arthritis. But, I know some of you here in the UK are also trialling it. I mentioned it as an option in the Healing Plan too for hypersensitives to try and break the chronic pain cycle.
One of its main mechanisms seems to be an ability to reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in inflammatory conditions:
In an 8-week single-blinded pilot study using 4.5 mg of LDN each night, serum levels of numerous proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-12, IL-18, interferon gamma (IFN-γ), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and TNF-α were significantly reduced when compared to baseline in patients suffering from fibromyalgia.30
However, it is not all about pain. LDN is being used for mood disorders, neurological conditions (like migraine, ataxia etc) and cancer.
For those of you new to it, I thought this article was an excellent overview and includes some really useful tips on dosing etc.
The Uses of Low-Dose Naltrexone in Clinical Practice
The researchers conclude:
Considering its low cost and low side effect profile, LDN in oral form has potential clinical utility in the treatment of a wide variety of conditions including inflammatory diseases, fibromyalgia, neurological conditions, cancer, and mood disorders.
Definitely worth a look then. Let us know your experiences with it. Where do you get it from – does your GP or pain clinic prescribe it?
I’ve been on LDN for 7years since 2011. I started using the liquid then moved to capsules. I haven’t noticed any improvement but noticed a slight worsening when I came off it.
I can’t get my GP to prescribe it, nor anyone in England. I can only get it via private Gp ( Clinic 158 in Scotland http://www.online-gp.co.uk/ ) , Dispensing is Dickson Chemist in Glasgow 0141 404 6545. About £30 per months supply 28 caps. Hope that helps.
Thanks K, that’s really helpful. Do you mind me asking what you are taking it for, and why have you been on it so long if it is not working that well?
I just started 3 months ago & yes it really has helped with: mood, pain, energy, brain inflammation, feel lighter not so slow heavy, & ability to eat more L-Arginine foods where in past i would get viral out break with one nut or say one bite of swiss chard, or even arugala. I have cf, fm, high viral loads, hyper-coagulated blood, hypothyroid, (able to reduce my T-3 medication) mcs, allergies too numerous to list. HUGE importance to get it from compounded experienced knowledgeable pharmacist who has studied it & works with Dr.’s who prescribe it or else It does not really work! They can make it with tree bark NOT CORN SOY DAIRY etc. I was told at 3 months point I would know if it helped or not. I took 3 weeks to get up to the 4.5mg dosage being hyper sensitive. I am usually unable to tolerate any meds!!!I I am in the rare group that needs to take it in AM, cuz if I take it at night I cant sleep. I have numerous methylation issues, so glad I can take this. I live in CA. GIVES me hope! OF COURSE MILLION THANKS TO MICKI I stopped all grains etc in 2011.
Thanks for sharing your experience with it, Becky, and SO glad it is helping then. Such good news that you can tolerate it and useful to know about the tree bark option which people should ask for then. Thanks – onward and upward!!