What exactly does low dose naltroxene (LDN) do for fibromyalgia?

Posted by tdinnen @tdinnen, Oct 26, 2025

What exactly does LDN do for fibromyalgia? Does it relieve pain? Depression? it sounds like it is for alcohol/drug addiction...but a lot of people have recommended it...please share how it is supposed to help, thank you
Also, does anyone have trouble with constipation???

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I take 6 mg at 3 AM in the morning. My doctor said between 9 PM and 3 AM is when your dopamine basically recharges and this is the best time to take it. I know this is different for everyone and I tried taking it earlier at 9 PM and it kept me awake for months and months. I tried it in the morning as my doctor had suggested the first time and it wound up taking care of my pain pretty well, but I noticed that I was kind of depressed. When I started taking it at 3 AM, I experienced a much happier more motivated day but then at night I was experiencing more pain when in a flare. Needless to say I’m choosing to stay with the better mood because when your mood is better sometimes naturally, your pain is better. I originally started taking it for Hashimoto’s which it has lowered my TPO. I definitely would not want to manage without it. It has the least amount of effect on your liver versus other medicines. Good luck to you. Be well!

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Constipation is a pain in the a** - get it? Anyway, yes - IBD, chronic slow transverse constipation (which sometimes becomes 'no transverse' for 2 or 3 months). I have been hospitalized twice due to complications. I will not take any medication that even 'hints' that maybe, just maybe there's a slight chance it might cause - (perhaps on every other full moon) - constipation ... which is every single pain med as far as I can tell.

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Do you eat high fiber and drink water throughout the day? That might help, some find it helpful to have a 16 once container of water always handy.
Have a good day
MaryJE

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Profile picture for haarvee @haarvee

Constipation is a pain in the a** - get it? Anyway, yes - IBD, chronic slow transverse constipation (which sometimes becomes 'no transverse' for 2 or 3 months). I have been hospitalized twice due to complications. I will not take any medication that even 'hints' that maybe, just maybe there's a slight chance it might cause - (perhaps on every other full moon) - constipation ... which is every single pain med as far as I can tell.

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@haarvee uso Tramadol y otros medicamentos que causan estreñimiento, siempre fui estreñida, hace meses que pude dejar los laxantes comiendo 3 cucharadas de avena o de salvado de avena con yogurt sin lactosa

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Unfortunately, it did nothing for my pain. I did feel some better mentally but I had to stop it after 2 months so I could take hydrocodone again for the pain.

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Profile picture for bunstuffer @bunstuffer

Unfortunately, it did nothing for my pain. I did feel some better mentally but I had to stop it after 2 months so I could take hydrocodone again for the pain.

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@bunstuffer Opiates are notorious for constipation (yes, I have had a 'script for tramadol AND hydrocodone too). If it doesn't affect you in this way - great !

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Profile picture for gloria1957 @gloria1957

@haarvee uso Tramadol y otros medicamentos que causan estreñimiento, siempre fui estreñida, hace meses que pude dejar los laxantes comiendo 3 cucharadas de avena o de salvado de avena con yogurt sin lactosa

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@gloria1957 I eat oatmeal every single day.

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Profile picture for haarvee @haarvee

Constipation is a pain in the a** - get it? Anyway, yes - IBD, chronic slow transverse constipation (which sometimes becomes 'no transverse' for 2 or 3 months). I have been hospitalized twice due to complications. I will not take any medication that even 'hints' that maybe, just maybe there's a slight chance it might cause - (perhaps on every other full moon) - constipation ... which is every single pain med as far as I can tell.

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@haarvee
Try taking 250-300mg of Magnesium Glycinate every day, it helped me. Before that, I had to take Miralax every day. I take it an hour before bed because it helps relax your muscles so helps with sleep.

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This article has helpful information. Low dose naltrexone has worked wonders for me. https://chronicillness.co/low-dose-naltrexone-for-fibromyalgia/

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LDN treats many of the symptoms of fibro. While naltrexone at its regular dose of 50mg is often used to treat addiction, low dose naltrexone works differently due to the blocking period.

For constipation, LDN works as a prokinetic, meaning it can help to get things moving. Many people that get GI side effects from LDN are actually reacting to the fillers rather than the low dose of naltrexone, and switching to a form of LDN that has different fillers or no fillers (sublingual) often helps.

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