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.

@freunch

Hello @johnbishop,

Thank you, happy to be here. Are there any guidelines as to what type of information may be posted? I wanted to share but should ask first.

I scanned the prior posts and did not find practical information on:

- How to obtain LDN? A pointer to telemedicine providers licensed in all 50 states where it is easy to get an appointment.
- A recommendation for a compounding pharmacy able to ship nationally. (Some are only regional.)
- A reference to authors and book titles providing helpful information for autoimmune conditions.
- Supplement vendors and pointer to relevant studies.

As to local clinicians, I have enjoyed better interaction with our pet's veterinary acupuncturist on LDN than with my PCP or Endocrinologist. Neither are willing to leave their comfort zone to explore alternative therapies. The closest my Endo came to a non-pharmaceutical option was, "Take two Brazil nuts and recheck in six months."

While researching selenium supplementation, I found Brazil nuts could vary over a 10X range (55mcg to 550mcg per nut) depending upon how and where grown. The package on my desk says, "Product of Brazil, Bolivia and Peru", so, even the company is unsure. It would be easy to exceed a recommended daily limit of 400mcg for selenium using nuts.

I located several studies investigating the synergistic effect of supplementation with selenomethionine plus myo-inositol (83 μg/day + 600 mg/day). These studies reveal beneficial effects to thyroid function and a decrease in the level of thyroid autoantibodies in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. I chose the same formulation as used in the study for my supplement.

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I use San Diego Compounding Pharmacy. They ship anywhere in the US and are the best prices I could find.

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@bayhorse

Momsys: What are blood ozone treatments?

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Oxygen is mixed with your blood to boost your immune system.

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What kind of doctor administers this?

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Both my primary care and my rheumatologist have refused to write a prescription for naltrexone.

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@sandbarry1

Both my primary care and my rheumatologist have refused to write a prescription for naltrexone.

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What was their reasoning? My functional medicine NP wants me to try it.

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@cpd54

What was their reasoning? My functional medicine NP wants me to try it.

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Just said they do not prescribe. No explanation.

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@sandbarry1

Both my primary care and my rheumatologist have refused to write a prescription for naltrexone.

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🤔 Wow!
It was my naturalpathic Dr who Prescribed it for me to go along with my prednisone.She said there are hardly any side effects with LDN.... it's kind of like a miracle drug. My Primary care Dr. was ok with thus. They are both helping me. I feel quite blessed.

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@bayhorse

What kind of doctor administers this?

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My doctor is an MD specializing in integrative medicine.

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@bayhorse

What kind of doctor administers this?

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Integrative Dr

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My daughter and I were both in a research trial using LDN over 15 years ago. Both of us have autoimmune challenges. Sadly, the primary researcher died before publishing the research results (car accident...no LDN involved :)). My own, biased results are that, after an initial period of interesting sleeps (vivid dreams) and some rashes, I found that joint paint was significantly reduced, I was MUCH more mobile and slept better at night (maybe due to fewer aches). My daughter showed some helpful improvements as well. I'd have to find the box that holds the seemingly zillions of blood and urine and stool tests from before and after to try to make clear sense of this. We both continued on the LDN afterward for a few years. Interestingly, I chose to stop after an unfortunate incident with a hive/swarm of yellow jackets resulting in over 40 stings on my body. After that, each time I took the LDN, my lips tingled uncomfortably and swelled a little. To be conservative, I did not wait this out and sadly discontinued. My daughter had a surprising reaction around that tie as well, when exposed to agave (which we'd been told to avoid during the testing period but encountered as a hidden ingredient in a food). The primary investigator's best guess when consulted by our physician was that the stings affected my immune system, which changed my response to the LDN. I can't remember why the agave was contraindicated while using LDN. Neither of us had any other reactions that seemed linked to the LDN or were negative in any way. I often think of returning to try this now that my arthritis is significantly more impactful on my daily living but haven't had time to check where the research stands now. Hope this is helpful to someone.

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