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Old 08-25-2008, 09:42 AM
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lady_express_44 lady_express_44 is offline
Grand Magnate
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 3,300
15 yr Member
lady_express_44 lady_express_44 is offline
Grand Magnate
lady_express_44's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 3,300
15 yr Member
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Hi SL. Thanks for coming back and telling us how it has been going for you. Cudos to you for apparently reading this entire thread, and then responding with your take on the various comments we’ve made.

I am interested in asking about some points you’ve made, especially those I've never heard firsthand from anyone.

Quote:
Originally Posted by SilverLining View Post
I have not taken any opiates since being on it, so I can't say what would happen there. However I do have a friend who had surgery on LDN. She stopped 72 hours prior to surgery, but she still required twice the usual dose of one of the opiate based drugs. She also happens to be a nurse so she was very on top of the whole situation. She had no issues with after the surgery pain meds.
Is this the same friend that is on 25mg? What opiate based drugs are you referring to, that she required twice the dosage ~ do you mean anesthetic? Do you know what pain meds she used after the surgery, and did she stay on LDN while she was on the pain meds?


Quote:
Originally Posted by SilverLining View Post
With a surgery the only issue is the pain meds. Trying to find pain meds that are not opiate based after major surgery like a hysterectomy... is not fun. When you tell a doctor you would rather not have pain meds and keep your LDN... they look at you like you need anti psychotics more than anything else.
Here is a list of Opiate based drugs, for those who are interested:

Actiq
Avinza
Buprenex
Buprenorphine
Codeine
Darvocet
Darvon
Demerol
Dilaudid
Duragesic Patch
Fentanyl
Fiorinal
Heroin
Hydrocodone
Hydromorphone
Kadian LAAM
Levorphanol
Lorcet
Lortab
Meperidine
Methadone
Methadose
Morphine
Morphine Sulfate
MS Contin
Norco
Nubain
Numorpitan
Opana
Opium
Oxycontin
Oxycodone
Percodan
Percocet
Propoxyphene
Roxicodone
Roxicent
Suboxone
Subutex
Tramadol
Tylenol 3
Tylenol 4
Tylox
Ultram
Vicodin


Quote:
Originally Posted by SilverLining View Post
LDN can also enhance physical pain, making it stronger than normal. I have absolutely noticed this with my situation. My best friend also has at 25mg.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SilverLining View Post
The LDN I humored a friend by trying has made my life 100% easier and less painful. The spasticity was a HUGE issue for me and the LDN has all but taken care of it.
Do you mean LDN enhances your “normal” physical pain . . . but helps your MS neurological-type and spasticity pain? Is it possible that you notice the pain more because you don’t have any strong pain relief (opiate based) to rely on while on LDN?

I use Naproxen 1000 mg/day when I have pain, which seems to do the job for me. I haven’t had to have surgery since being on LDN though, and I have always had a high tolerance to “normal” pain anyway. I've never used any meds with codeine (allergic), have always been reliant on NSAIDS or anti-inflammatory-type meds for any type of pain . . . but I haven’t noticed any difference in efficacy since being on LDN.

Quote:
Originally Posted by SilverLining View Post
There is anesthesia that can be used that are not opiate based. It is what they use on me anyway because Versed does not work.
Does Versed not work for you because of the LDN, or other reasons?

Quote:
Originally Posted by SilverLining View Post
I still can't tolerate the heat but I am happy to work around the temperature issues.
I've been on LDN for 3 ½ yrs now, and this was the first year I had heat issues (symptoms stirring in the heat). I left infection untreated for too long (most of 2007) though, so my spinal lesions became active and caused some damage in the process. If I had treated it in time, I suspect I’d still be ok with heat. NEVER LEAVE INFECTION UNTREATED . . .

Do you have trouble with spasticity and cold? Every October I have to drop down about .75 to 1.0 mg when the cold comes (I am on liquid as well, so that’s no problem to do), then I get back up to 4.5 mg a few weeks later.

Quote:
Originally Posted by SilverLining View Post
It also has not helped my cognitive issues. I am exhausted still but that is likely other health issues.
My cognitive issues are directly related to fatigue. I can do fairly well when I am rested, but when I get tired, my brain shuts down. I figured out, after I went off Celexa, that that med was causing considerable fatigue for me (even though I was originally rx’d it for the fatigue). I have been off Celexa for about 18 mo now, and have established a great routine for sleeping/napping so that I do much, much better cognitive ability when I am awake.

One thing LDN did do though, was lift the constant “brainfog” I had for two years prior to going on it. I don’t think I've had more then 2 days with that since I started on LDN.

Good luck with your MRI results, and be sure to let us know how things are looking in there.

Cherie
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