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Has anyone else used Naltrexone HCL for chronic pain?

Posted by gramham @gramham, May 27 6:59am

First of all let me say I am 88 years young. I have chronic pain in lower back, upper back, neck you name the part and I have pain there. I also have neurophy pain. My Primary Care Doctor started me on Naltrexone HCL 50mg. I cut it in half so I take 25mg at night. It has helped me so much. I have had so meny cortisone injections and have gained over 25 pounds. I know that Naltrexone is used for drug and alcohol addiction and has now been used for chronic pain. Any thoughts? Has anyone else had experience with this medication? I know it is not a opiod nor is it addictive.

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kdks99 | @kdks99 | May 29 7:19am
In reply to @gramham "Thank you monicaboc for replying. The comments had me questioning. But my bottle does say 50..." + (show)
@gramham

Thank you monicaboc for replying. The comments had me questioning. But my bottle does say 50 MG HLC and I was instructed to cut them in half. I have had spinal surgery twice, kypoplasti on several discs along with compression fractures that can't be fixed, a pinched nerve in my neck, left shoulder rotater cuff repaired, left hip replaced, now I have a tear in the right rotater cuff. I know this is just a cover up medication. But I do not want pain medication that makes me blurrie eyed or sitting around in a chair all day. I do not want any more surgeries at my age. Besides all this I have COPD,

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There are studies that indicate Naltrexone at a high dose is counterproductive for chronic pain. Here is one and I hope you can open it. I urge you to discuss this with your doctor. The dose you are taking is for opioid addiction not pain. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10964028/

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gramham | @gramham | May 29 8:50am

To all of you wonderful people that posted comments to my post. I seem to be tolerating the 25mg of Naltrexone very well. The only side effect that I might have is I am a little more shakey. But I do have a tremor with peripheral neurophy. Some time it is hard to tell where it is all coming from, if you know what I mean. So thank you all for your comments. I pray that you all find relief from your pain. I only wish that one of the medical experts from Mayo Clinic had commented.

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bumber | @bumber | May 29 9:35am

Ditto, though I’m not sure it’s helped me

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1 reply
gramham | @gramham | May 29 10:28pm
In reply to @bumber "Ditto, though I’m not sure it’s helped me" + (show)
@bumber

Ditto, though I’m not sure it’s helped me

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bumber, I am so sorry that it has not helped you. I pray that you find something to help you.

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ssparks | @ssparks | May 31 4:49pm

I started taking low dose naltrexone in January for fibromyalgia. I take 2mg a day. Within a week I could feel a difference in my muscle aches. I hope LDN works for you!

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1 reply
gramham | @gramham | May 31 5:36pm
In reply to @ssparks "I started taking low dose naltrexone in January for fibromyalgia. I take 2mg a day. Within..." + (show)
@ssparks

I started taking low dose naltrexone in January for fibromyalgia. I take 2mg a day. Within a week I could feel a difference in my muscle aches. I hope LDN works for you!

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I have felt so much better. I just feel better all over. I have had people tell me how much better I look. Eyes brighter and my face looks brighter also. I feel like doing things again! It is wonderful not to have so much pain all the time. I still have some pain in my lower back I know God had a hand in this. Good luck

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thomhorowitz | @thomhorowitz | Jun 8 10:16pm
In reply to @clucky "My doctor has started me on naltrexone but I started with a low dose and currently..." + (show)
@clucky

My doctor has started me on naltrexone but I started with a low dose and currently taking 2 mg. I was prescribed it for pain and hopefully it will help. I’m glad you are finding relief.

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Low dose trial is worthwhile but you may find compounding pharmacy can best offer the low dose that is optimal.

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ann728 | @ann728 | Jun 10 8:49am

As a Long Covid pt, my Dr started me with 3mg of LDN, it interfered with my sleep. I took it at different times of day-this did not help. She reduced the dose to 0.5 mg white plan to increase over several weeks. I am beginning to have fewer aches in legs and seems to be easier to get out of bed. Some variation across days-inconsistency. I am hopeful. However, i haven’t experienced change with fatigue-still managing from activity to rest.
I would love to hear from others about experience with LDN. Thank you.

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