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Naltrexone
I discussed L low dose Naltrexone with my doctor. The research is showing that doses of 4.5 mg is having some positive results. I tried 4.5-6 mg in 2023. Although it seemed to help some, I stopped taking it due to the price as I have no insurance and Naltrexone is not available in such a small dose unless compounded at a special pharmacy. We discussed my trying it again, as I am desperate to feel better and function better. I started taking 25 mg of Naltrexone about a week or so ago. I took it at night. This was a mistake as I could not sleep so I changed to taking it in the morning. It does help. Just fyi...it can't hurt to try it for all of you who I know are struggling with this debilitating virus that has wrecked our bodies.
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@welchllb "Also, I used to enjoy a glass of wine and having one now results in an increased effect of the alcohol and night sweats. If anyone can explain these reactions, I'd appreciate it".Sounds like you've become allergic to alcohol.Histamines and nasty stuff is gonna be re arranged.Like what breaks down inside with alcohol.Turns into poison..
Naltrexone is used to stop alcohol and opioid cravings by targeting the dopamine receptors in the brain. Sometimes it can result in withdrawal type symptoms if used with alcohol or opioids.
@h2998sc
I decided to stop taking LDN on a trial basis. I am not having weird dreams, not having night sweats and can have a little Tito's vodka. Wine still does not work well. In any case, alcohol is not a necessity for a good quality of life. I'm worried at the moment because of fatigue, body aches and more SOB - might be back on the LDN again soon.
@welchllb I have been on LDN (max 4mg, 3.5 at present. I didn't think it was helping as I still had inflammation and pain. Until i went off of it and pain etc got do much worse. I almost missed the fact that it was worse perhaps because I went off of it. I try to pay so little attention to my body, I kind of forgot to notice? Do you get that? Chronic pain (CRPS for one for me) makes me try to stay separate from my body. I suddenly remembered I had gone off ldn 3 months previous. I didn't know it was helping till I stopped taking it. Depending on how long you stay off, you may need to start at a lower dose again? Best of luck.
Oh yikes. 25mg is NOT how it works. Its NOT low dose.
LDN helps the body by shutting your immune system down for 2 or 3 hours die to the short half life of less than 5 mg. Please find a dr who understands LDN. If they are ordering 25mg he does not understand LDN. Yikes. The title of this post says "Naltrexone." Naltrexone and low dose naltrexone (ldn) is almost like 2 different drugs.
Please research LDN and be informed. You are potentially doing harm to your body with zero expectations of any help. Yoo jigh to be "low dose." And too low to help you get off opioids. Naltrexone is not abput alcohol AT ALL
It stops the effects of only opioids. Yikes. You and your dr. are ill informed.
@arichards3 I found taking 1.5 mg ldn at night interrupted my sleep, so I take it in the morning now. I am taking ldn for my Long Covid constant head pressure and fatigue. Good luck!
@bebold
Hi,
I am wondering if I am at your point right now. I didn't feel right on LDN the longer I was on it. It's been about a month off now and I'm getting more winded, achy and fatigued, etc. I'm going to wait another few weeks and then, consult my Cleveland doctor about getting back on it.
Good luck to you, too. Have you started LDN again?
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1 Reaction@welchllb yes, I had been off of it for about a year with a torn labrum in my hip and preparing for a hip replacement. I'm better now (no surgery, started Adderall for ADHD and within 2 days my hip was so much better I no longer use a wheelchair or crutches. Its being investigated with its affect on chronic pain?)
So I started very slowly again. But as a retired nurse, my dr lets me buy the 50mg pills. I crush the pill and mix it with 50ml of good water (I use distilled water as it lasts more than a week. I keep refrigerated.) Cutting 50mg of a regular naltrexone pill with 50ml water ends up with 1 mg per ml. So for 3.5mg at night, I use 3.5 ml measured with a syringe, and add juice. I drink it at night with my nighttime meds. It may be because I was a nurse but this makes it about $20/year and I can adjust the dose as I want. AND I studied ldn for over a year before I took it.
This is why I say people really need to learn about this medication because doctors, in general, are not. They're just prescribing it without understanding how it works. The lower the dose, the better with this medication. I would never go above 4.5mg as we want a short halflife.
Yes, I have been back on it for a year. 3.5 mg.
@bebold
Thank you for all the interesting information. I think my fibromyalgia complications things, too. I have a supply of 4.5 mg capsules and first tried breaking them in half to try a half dose - what a mess!! I also tried cutting the capsule - same mess. When I finally got the capsule open, the powder/med went all over the place. Any ideas of how to break apart a capsule without a mess?
Finally, that's when I stopped taking LDN. Thanks, again. Appreciate you!!
@bebold It does help with both alcohol cravings and opioid cravings. It targets the dopamine receptors. I agree that there is research on low doses of Naltrexone, 2--4.5 mg helping with some of the symptoms of LC, but it really did not help me. I am a recovering alcoholic, addict and I take it for pain. The dopamine receptors in the brains of addicted people are used to getting a hit of dopamine from the drug (opioid, cocaine, alcohol, etc.) 25-50 mg of Naltrexone binds to the dopamine receptors and helps with the cravings. I take it and it helps my mood as well as pain. I want to be sure and say that I am not telling anyone to take above what a doctor prescribes. That is just what works for me. I am attaching a link. Hope all are good today.
https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/options/naltrexone