Success with low dose naltrexone for Autoimmune disorders

Posted by julie868 @julie868, Feb 13, 2020

Low Dose Naltrexone, otherwise known as LDN, seems to be helping a lot of people lately who have all different types of autoimmune disorders.
The information I read sounds very interesting and would like to know if anyone has tried it personally?

The theory that I read says that many autoimmune issues are caused by a deficiency in endorphins, endorphins regulate the immune system. LDN temporarily blocks the body's natural endorphin production for a few hours, this tricks the body into thinking it needs to increase endorphin production. When the blockade wears off, all the endorphins are released into the body, regulating the immune system and providing natural pain relief for the rest of the day. Apparently, LDN can increase your endorphins by up to 300%

LDNscience.org has a lot of information and research about it. You can also look at the writer, Annie Habler (@hablerannie) on Medium.com who wrote an article recently about the fascinating background and history of LDN.

Please let me know if you have tried it and what your experience was like. If you could let me know any details your condition,the dosage you used, any side effects, etc it would be helpful.

Thank you!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

eluj | @eluj | Dec 5, 2025

I’ve just started LDN for symptoms related to Sjögren’s, including interstitial cystitis. Will report back.

West Coast | @kathy333 | May 3 10:27am

In reply to @eluj "I’ve just started LDN for symptoms related to Sjögren’s, including interstitial cystitis. Will report back." + (show)

@eluj How are things going for you now after taking LDN for a few months? Please describe your symptoms and how they have improved, or not. Thank you.

moorethrpy | @moorethrpy | May 4 5:55am

I take it...have auto immune issues with neuropathy. I am thinking it would be best to take first thing in morning. I have been taking at bedtime. Anyone else?

moorethrpy | @moorethrpy | May 4 5:57am

In reply to @kathy333 "@eluj How are things going for you now after taking LDN for a few months? Please..." + (show)

@kathy333 I honestly can't tell if it has helped. My main goal is to stop the progression. on it for 6 mos. 4.5mg. I have neuropathy with numbness and vibration but no pain.

suetex | @suetex | May 4 4:09pm

Wont leave home without it. If you have any kind of autoimmune disease that involves diarrea you need it.

aspyres | @aspyres | May 5 8:25am

I’ve been on it getting close to a year, 3mg.

I do take it at night, but now that someone mentioned day dosing I will look into it.

I honestly don’t know if it has helped me or not, but at this point I don’t want to upset the balance.

I have started infusions (Remicade), so I will be talking to my rheumatologist about if/when I can try stopping it…

I do wonder if I need to increase to the 4.5mg dose.

bcrast | @bcrast | May 6 7:10am

I have been taking LDN for years for Fibromyalgia and fatigue. I believe it helps the nerve pain I get but I don't think it helps fatigue. I take it in the morning because it seemed to make it harder to fall asleep.

sweetundine | @sweetundine | May 6 11:33am

I have had a good experience with LDN. After living with RA for 29 years, I developed an aggressive and painful form of hand osteoarthritis- erosive osteoarthritis — for which there is no treatment. And my doctor had me taking celecoxib/celebrex 2x per day. This proved rather hard on my gut. My search for options led me to LDN, and my doctor started me on 4.5 mg per day. It did address the very painful inflammation in my DIP and some PIP joints. It’s been eight months and my best guess is that I took celebrex three times last month. I am happy to have less pain and inflammation and am thrilled to cut my reliance on NSAIDs.

Also, I’m now following the science on GLP-1s and RA. Having failed on several biologics, I would welcome a group discuss on glp -1s as an emerging complimentary treatment. Or a broader group discussion on autoimmune disease that is difficult to treat with dmards and biologics.

cohera | @cohera | May 7 6:27am

In reply to @moorethrpy "I take it...have auto immune issues with neuropathy. I am thinking it would be best to..." + (show)

@moorethrpy
Yes,,,even tho it is said that it helps with the 3 am wake cycle, I found it worked better for me in the morning.

pm56 | @pm56 | May 7 7:41am

I’m on 6mg. I can’t really say it’s helping as I’m not doing well despite being on 14 mg of Medrol and now starting Rituxan - but on the other hand if I stopped I do wonder would I be worse? I’ve been pretty refractory for the last 7 years.