1. < Autoimmune Diseases

Is LDN causing my headaches? Or sinus pressure?

Posted by annewoodmayo @annewoodmayo, Dec 10, 2023

Hello, friends!

1. Did you take low dose naltrexone?
2. Did it cause you to have headaches?
If yes, did your headaches feel like sinus headaches-- behind the eyes, forehead, cheeks?
Or were your headaches elsewhere?
3. Did you stop taking LDN because of headache?
****
I think that the low dose naltrexone may be causing my headaches in the morning when I wake up.
Or, maybe it could be sinus pressure. In the past, I always got sinus issues in the Fall-- headaches, infections, etc.
I've already been tracking the possible connection between LDN and am headaches. Some mornings, my unmedicated husband has sinus pressure, too, so cause and effect has been unclear.

I am still taking 1.5 at night.

I don't want to give up on LDN unnecessarily. My medication options are getting very, very limited.

Thanks for your input!

As long as you are reading, does anyone know how many hours it takes for the LDN to clear out of the body?

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

emo | @emo | Jun 3 9:15am
In reply to @meagan0711 "I was at 4mg for a few month for long COVID. My last remaining issues were..." + (show)
@meagan0711

I was at 4mg for a few month for long COVID. My last remaining issues were sinus pressure and headaches.

I discontinued LDN 4 days ago and I have not had a headache since and my sinus pressure has decreased significantly.

I’m not sure if there is a direct correlation but since I had not other reason to be using it, I will stay off.

Jump to this post

It could be the LDN; headaches are a known side effect of naltrexone. I was told usually if the side effects are mild, they get better after a while, but I didn’t experience headaches.

Did it not help your long COVID? If not, then as you said, there’s not really a reason to take it.

But if you wanted, you could see if you could make it to the more common 4.5 mg dose for at least a few weeks to see if that makes any difference before giving it up. I see you stopped it at 4 mg. Up to you though. Glad you’re feeling better.

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covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Jun 3 10:58am
In reply to @meagan0711 "I was at 4mg for a few month for long COVID. My last remaining issues were..." + (show)
@meagan0711

I was at 4mg for a few month for long COVID. My last remaining issues were sinus pressure and headaches.

I discontinued LDN 4 days ago and I have not had a headache since and my sinus pressure has decreased significantly.

I’m not sure if there is a direct correlation but since I had not other reason to be using it, I will stay off.

Jump to this post

That is why I couldn't tolerate LDN both times I tried it....headaches. I was on 0.5 (I opened up the capsule and took half of a 1.0) and still had headaches. Praying for you and bless you.

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Jun 3 7:39pm
In reply to @meagan0711 "I was at 4mg for a few month for long COVID. My last remaining issues were..." + (show)
@meagan0711

I was at 4mg for a few month for long COVID. My last remaining issues were sinus pressure and headaches.

I discontinued LDN 4 days ago and I have not had a headache since and my sinus pressure has decreased significantly.

I’m not sure if there is a direct correlation but since I had not other reason to be using it, I will stay off.

Jump to this post

@meagan0711 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I take it from your post at LDN also caused you headaches. Is that correct? I’m glad you found a way to be rid of your headaches and sinus pressure!

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onedaat12 | @onedaat12 | 4 days ago

I've been on LDN for a couple months now. I tried it before but started getting headaches so I stopped to see if that was causing it. The headaches did ended up going away. I decided to try it again thinking the headaches might have been from something else. Now after taking 7.5mg twice a day I'm getting similar headaches. I'm just surprised that it would take over a month to start experiencing headaches. The headaches are almost like a pressure headache. It's my temples, top of my head and forehead. Nothing I take is getting rid of it. Any advice would be great. I don't want to stop taking it because it's part of a combination of 3 medications that are supposed to help with a condition I have called CMT. CMT is a genetic disorder inheritable peripheral neuropathy. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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2 replies
emo | @emo | 4 days ago
In reply to @onedaat12 "I've been on LDN for a couple months now. I tried it before but started getting..." + (show)
@onedaat12

I've been on LDN for a couple months now. I tried it before but started getting headaches so I stopped to see if that was causing it. The headaches did ended up going away. I decided to try it again thinking the headaches might have been from something else. Now after taking 7.5mg twice a day I'm getting similar headaches. I'm just surprised that it would take over a month to start experiencing headaches. The headaches are almost like a pressure headache. It's my temples, top of my head and forehead. Nothing I take is getting rid of it. Any advice would be great. I don't want to stop taking it because it's part of a combination of 3 medications that are supposed to help with a condition I have called CMT. CMT is a genetic disorder inheritable peripheral neuropathy. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Jump to this post

Could you try taking a lower dose, or is that specific dose recommended for your condition?

I take 6 mg, which my doctor said was the highest she’s usually seen referenced (with the most common dose being 4.5 mg).

Since everyone’s tolerance is a little different, I wonder if taking a lower dose might help. Or you might be able to go down to a lower dose and slowly go back up again if 7.5 mg is your goal dose?

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1 reply
onedaat12 | @onedaat12 | 4 days ago
In reply to @emo "Could you try taking a lower dose, or is that specific dose recommended for your condition?..." + (show)
@emo

Could you try taking a lower dose, or is that specific dose recommended for your condition?

I take 6 mg, which my doctor said was the highest she’s usually seen referenced (with the most common dose being 4.5 mg).

Since everyone’s tolerance is a little different, I wonder if taking a lower dose might help. Or you might be able to go down to a lower dose and slowly go back up again if 7.5 mg is your goal dose?

Jump to this post

Woops I actually meant I am taking. . 75 mg twice a day.

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1 reply
emo | @emo | 4 days ago
In reply to @onedaat12 "Woops I actually meant I am taking. . 75 mg twice a day." + (show)
@onedaat12

Woops I actually meant I am taking. . 75 mg twice a day.

Jump to this post

75 mg of naltrexone, or if something else? At that dose, it’s not considered LDN (low dose). I’m not familiar with larger doses being used for another condition.

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1 reply
onedaat12 | @onedaat12 | 4 days ago
In reply to @emo "75 mg of naltrexone, or if something else? At that dose, it’s not considered LDN (low..." + (show)
@emo

75 mg of naltrexone, or if something else? At that dose, it’s not considered LDN (low dose). I’m not familiar with larger doses being used for another condition.

Jump to this post

I meant. .75 mg

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1 reply
emo | @emo | 4 days ago
In reply to @onedaat12 "I meant. .75 mg" + (show)
@onedaat12

I meant. .75 mg

Jump to this post

Ohhh! My mistake!

Could you try lowering the dose to see if the headaches get better? When I first started, I had side effects (but not headaches), and I had to start off more slowly and give my body more time to adjust.

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suetex | @suetex | 3 days ago

I've been taking LDN for 7 yrs at 2 mg (just upped it to 4 mg) and do not get headachs from it. Sinus headaches usually have pressure felt in the sinus area. If you don't have that then you will have to stop the LDN for awhile to see if the headaches go away. Be methodical. Only change one thing at a time.

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