[KittyLady]

Could someone explain what LDN is to me please. I know what the letters stand for, but I tried to google or wiki LDN and it was too complicated for my brain to understand.

[SallyC]

Naltrexone at the higher doses (50 to 300 mg, that are FDA approved, are used to help those addicted to narcs and alcohol, detox.

A Dr Bahari, Deceased, from NYC, discovered that LDN 4.5mg taken between the hrs of 10pm and 3am, would stop your endorphin production long enough to cause the reproduction of endorphins at a higher rate, resulting in a relief of some MS symptoms and slowing/stopping MS attacks.

It doesn't help everyone at the same pace or in the same way, but the majority who take it seem to be helped in some way.

Go to the LDN homepage to learn more please.

[KittyLady]

Thanx Sally, I did go to that page but all it seems to me is not info. Is LDN like a dmd? Or just symptom management?

[Jules A]

So I have had more than a couple advanced pharmacology classes but this is complicated because the brain is so complex and the neurotransmitters act in different ways in different parts of the brain. This won’t explain much but here are some interesting tidbits.

Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist which means it blocks the effects of opioids in the brain. Opioids regulate dopamine pathways in areas of the brain linked with impulse control disorders. It is often given to alcoholics as a medication that will hopefully reduce cravings by blocking the dopamine pleasure seeking aspect. It is also being studied with impulse control disorders in Parkinson’s Disease, Crohn’s and as an adjunct for chronic pain control.

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01052831

http://downeastpharmaservices.com/wp...tsForPain1.pdf

I read an article that indicated the reason it is thought to be helpful in MS is related to a decrease in pre-programmed cell death of oligodendrocytes. The principle function of oligodendrocytes is to provide support to axons and to produce the Myelin sheath, which insulates axons. http://www.fromvoulevs.com/download/agrawal_2005_ms.pdf

Which is interesting however there have been quite a few LDN studies on MS that haven't been conclusive.
http://www.ptsr.org.pl/pl/files/2010...rology_110.pdf
doi: 10.1177/1352458508095828 Mult Scler September 2008 vol. 14 no. 8 1076-1083





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[SallyC]

Originally Posted by KittyLady

Thanx Sally, I did go to that page but all it seems to me is not info. Is LDN like a dmd? Or just symptom management?

It's not an FDA approved DMD but it sort of works that way, for me.

[KittyLady]

Thanx Sally. Is it a pill or shot? This isn't that chemo like thing is it? Im just having problems with my dmd and I see so many taking LDN I just wanted to know if it would be worth it to ask my neuro about it. Also see if it has a financial program to help pay for it like copaxone and them do.

[Jules A]

Originally Posted by KittyLady

Thanx Sally. Is it a pill or shot? This isn't that chemo like thing is it? Im just having problems with my dmd and I see so many taking LDN I just wanted to know if it would be worth it to ask my neuro about it. Also see if it has a financial program to help pay for it like copaxone and them do.

I don't think it is too expensive and the good news is from what I have read it seems to be well tolerated by people with MS.

Things to consider is it likely wouldn't be appropriate for someone taking opioids for pain and I think I read that at higher doses there can be some liver issues but I'm guessing the Low Dose part of LDN means it isn't a high dose.

[SallyC]

Originally Posted by KittyLady

Thanx Sally. Is it a pill or shot? This isn't that chemo like thing is it? Im just having problems with my dmd and I see so many taking LDN I just wanted to know if it would be worth it to ask my neuro about it. Also see if it has a financial program to help pay for it like copaxone and them do.

It's a capsule filled with pure naltrexone powder and a fast release filler. It must be compounded (Skips Pharmacy does it for me)

The Chemo med you're thinking of is Navatrone and it is a chemo drug. LDNaltrexone is not a chemo drug. There are no lasting or detrimental side effects to LDN...unless you are allergic, which is always a possibility.

My 4.5mg capsules cost me about 15.00 per month. Not all insurance will cover it, since it's used off label for MS, but some do. The cost is low though so it's pretty affordable.