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    Low Dose Naltrexone

    Hello,

    I just read the book Honest Medecine by Julie Schopick and the information on LDN(low dose naltrexone) sounds extremely promising for progressive MS.

    I called a pharmacy in Toronto that carries the drug, which is extremely cheap because big pharma does not have a patent on it, and the pharmacist told they have been selling a lot of it lately. She referred me to the LDN website for more information and it sounds very effective and the bonus is that the only side affect is vivid dreams and a deeper sleep.

    Has anyone tried it?

    Warm regards,

    Kris from TO

    #2
    Yes, I have been taking LDN for about 8 years. I have to say it has done nothing in terms of slowing down the progression. I take it because I take nothing else and on the off chance that it might be doing some good.
    Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ... Dr. Seuss

    Comment


      #3
      If you go to the Medications Forum there is a sticky thread "Useful LDN Information".

      LDN has shown efficacy with PPMS:

      A pilot trial of low-dose naltrexone in primary progressive multiple sclerosis.

      A sixth month phase II multicenter-pilot trial with a low dose of the opiate antagonist Naltrexone (LDN) has been carried out in 40 patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). The primary end points were safety and tolerability. Secondary outcomes were efficacy on spasticity, pain, fatigue, depression, and quality of life. Clinical and biochemical evaluations were serially performed. Protein concentration of beta-endorphins (BE) and mRNA levels and allelic variants of the mu-opiod receptor gene (OPRM1) were analyzed. Five dropouts and two major adverse events occurred. The remaining adverse events did not interfere with daily living. Neurological disability progressed in only one patient. A significant reduction of spasticity was measured at the end of the trial. BE concentration increased during the trial, but no association was found between OPRM1 variants and improvement of spasticity. Our data clearly indicate that LDN is safe and well tolerated in patients with PPMS.

      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18728058

      LDN, under the brand name "LODONAL" is now in clinical trials by Immune Therapeutics (stock ticker: TNIB):

      https://www.immunetherapeutics.com/lodonal/

      When you take Lodonal at bedtime, the typical protocol, it attaches to opioid receptors in the brain and immune cells temporarily blocking endorphins signals your body to increase endorphin production. The increased endorphin production helps orchestrate the activity of stem cells, macrophages, natural killer cells, T and B cells and other immune cells. Lodonal also prevents immune system over activity, the crux of autoimmune disorders, and blunts the release of inflammatory and neurotoxic chemicals in the brain.

      Lot's of MSers here on MS World take LDN, including myself (along with Alpha Lipoic Acid which is also in clinical trials for secondary progressive MS).

      I know Julia Shopek and wrote the last chapter of her book on LDN.

      Has it helped?

      Yes, I believe so. It certainly has eliminated all MS-related fatigue issues and I have no cognitive symptoms whatsoever.

      LDN is the only MS treatment I know of, with the exception of Tecfidera, that addresses the role of Hormones in MS disease progression. Endorphins are Hormones that regulate Tcell proliferation. MS effects males and females, and by age, differently and Hormones seem to be part of problem/solution.

      Comment


        #4
        I've been taking LDN for about a month (or six weeks? I can never keep track of time). It doesn't really seem to be helping with pain, but I have noticed an improvement in bladder control. I think I might be having less weakness in my right hand, but not 100% sure about that. It's hard to say about my legs because I had hip surgery a few months ago, and it really messed up the nerves in my left leg/foot.

        Side effects: none. I'm going to stay with it for now, and don't see a down side to it, especially as there aren't really any other options for me as a PPMSer. The only thing that might make me rethink it is that I might decide to try an intrathecal pump for pain. If I got one of those, the LDN would block the effects of the pain medication, so I'd have to choose one or the other.

        Here is the thread that knuckle was referring to if you haven't already found it: http://www.msworld.org/forum/showthread.php?t=115804

        I don't see any reason not to try it. What's to lose? I've spent multiples of the price on vitamins and other supplements that people have recommended over the years, and they didn't help. Why not give this a chance?
        PPMS
        Dx 07/13

        Comment


          #5
          I have been on LDN 4.5 mg for about years. I am also taking Tecfidera. I can't say that I get any benefit from these drugs. But since there really is no FDA approved drugs to treat PPMS ( and my neurologist, an MS specialist, has no objections ) I'll stay on these drugs until there is something proven that can take the place of my current regimen. If you are considering LDN, I would say that you should educate yourself about it and how it is used, dosage wise etc. It must be 'compounded for you'. Knuckle, on this site, knows a lot about it. There is much information on this site. Good luck

          Comment


            #6
            Trying to find LDN doctor near Pittsburgh

            I am trying to find a physician who will prescribe LDN. i Live near Pittsburgh. My neuro will not do it. I just want to try it for myself.
            Thank you for listening.
            Kathy Sue

            I not only believe in Miracles....I depend on them.

            Comment


              #7
              just ldn?

              Originally posted by choco View Post
              Yes, I have been taking LDN for about 8 years. I have to say it has done nothing in terms of slowing down the progression. I take it because I take nothing else and on the off chance that it might be doing some good.
              How disabled are you? Are you mobile, in pain? Are you on a healthy diet?
              I've taken ldn for five weeks now with much improvement. But just taking medicine won't help as much as diet, exercise and dietary supplements to help build muscle and reduce symptoms. Fell free to contact through my profile email address, if you prefer.

              Best of luck.

              Comment


                #8
                Following.
                ~ Faith
                MSWorld Volunteer -- Moderator since JUN2012
                (now a Mimibug)

                Symptoms began in JAN02
                - Dx with RRMS in OCT03, following 21 months of limbo, ruling out lots of other dx, and some "probable stroke" and "probable CNS" dx for awhile.
                - In 2008, I was back in limbo briefly, then re-dx w/ MS: JUL08
                .

                - Betaseron NOV03-AUG08; Copaxone20 SEPT08-APR15; Copaxone40 APR15-present
                - Began receiving SSDI / LTD NOV08. Not employed. I volunteer in my church and community.

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