Naltrexone
 

My doctor spoke to me a few months ago about trying naltrexone for pain relief.
I'm not on opiates consistently only when I just can't take it anymore. I try to stay away from them because of a family history of abuse.

My pain has been horrible for weeks now. I'm still getting IVIG which didn't seem to give me much relief this time.

I told the doctor no when he first suggested naltrexone to me because I'm not sure what the side effects may be and I need to keep a clear head. I need to keep on top of what is going on with my husbands cancer.

Has anyone taken naltrexone? Does it work for you? What are the side effects?

I'm getting desperate for relief! I appreciate any help any of you can offer :(

I've only been on it for a month but it's definitely helping me; no side effects that I have noticed


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Dearest PN Angels,

I had an extensive and very helpful consultation with a great doctor as Duke Innovative Pain Therapies.

The doctor is having me start on Low Dose Naltrexone. I had heard about this, here, earlier in the year.

So any feedback from my Angels?

I am so encouraged by the possibility of help from LDN, since I cannot take any of the opioids (which turn out to be limited in value and are completely discouraged by doctors), and I developed ulcers from my beloved Aleve, and Cymbalta began causing impossible side effects at the end of 6 years of perfection.

So LDN is the first medication I will try.
In addition this doctor has other possible treatments:
especially for my 'wrecked' cervical spine - medial branch blocks: injections, not surgery.
return to use of Tumeric,
use of CBD oil on my neck,
trial of Lyrica instead of Gabapentin, or Vimpat (what is this?),
Celebrex (deja vu!),
Omega-3 therapy (I take Omega 3 fish oil, but is it the right one?)
The YouTube site for Dr. Daniel Clauw for coping strategies

I see him again in 8 weeks. So I have lots of things to investigate, and I'm feeling more hopeful than I have in ages.

A doctor who listens, takes notes, give amazing feed back, and exudes practical confidence is an amazing find.

Hugs, ElaineD

This information about LDN might help you The use of low-dose naltrexone (LDN) as a novel anti-inflammatory treatment for chronic pain. - PubMed - NCBI .

Thanks, hopeful. I've been hearing about LDN on several websites I frequent...particularly the Sjogren's website.

So I've done some research. I was so delighted that it was my new doctor's idea because that indicates to me that he is very enlightened.

I started at one mg, and will titrate up one mg per week. I'll keep you posted, I'm very optimistic.

Oh, he asked me if I'd tried acupuncture, and I confessed that not only had I NOT tried it, but I am so very skeptical that I doubt if I would have good results.

I also am highly skeptical of chiropractic....probably one of the very few.

Regards, ElaineE

Dear PN Angels,

I began LDN three weeks ago, starting at 1 gm per night. I'm now up to 3 gm, with a max of 4 gm the following week.

I have so much less pain, it is quite amazing!

My greatest pain relief came from Cymbalta, as you know. But eventually I developed side effects so serious I had to discontinue Cymbalta.

LDN is wonderful, but not quite as wonderful as Cymbalta (before the side effects, of course).

But perhaps with one more gram I will find perfection?

Even if not perfection, this pain relief is wonderful.

Interesting thing about pain: When it is there, it is unforgettable. When it is gone: It is difficult to recall how horrible it was.

I guess this forgetfulness of pain is a blessing. And yet, I know I should be more grateful that is it gone.

Hugs, ElaineD

I have found as close to perfection as possible for my complex conditions that cause pain.

At 4 mg Low Dose Naltrexone per night, I sleep, and wake, with no pain.

I am dazed and amazed.

Hugs, ElaineD

I begin having some (possible) unpleasant side effects from 4 mg of Naltrexone.

So I cut back last night to 3 mg, and it was better today.

Tonight I am trying 2 mg. The point is to take enough to feel as much better as possible, without triggering any unpleasant side effects.

What I was (possibly) experiencing at 4 mg was:

1. Irritability, impatience and anger (so unlike me).

2. Urinary retention.

3. Sick headache.

4. Difficult getting back to sleep once wakened at night.

5. Nausea.

6. Upper GI sharp pains and loud rumbling.

7. Actual increase in some pain, which is weird.

8. Runny nose.

Now I thought I could be 'getting sick' but I've been only IVIG every 4 weeks for Immune Deficiency, and haven't had an infection (some cold sores only, that virus would survive a nuclear blast I believe) once in 4.5 years.

So, all those symptoms seem a bit better today. With LDN the dose is truly so small that there is no worry of withdrawal when changing dosage, and the improvement would be immediate, when there are changes.

So I will keep you all posted. This LDN is the latest thing, and I'm glad to be trying it.

Regards, ElaineD

Elaine,

I hope You will find the dosage that gives you the best relief and the least side effects. It had been so promising. Maybe every other day might be a possibility.

Unfortunately my taking daily opioids meds; LDN is not an option. Even at a low dose, might cause some withdrawal.

Thanks for the updates.

An Update:

I currently take 3 mg of LDN in the evening, and sleep almost free of pain.

I wake with generalized neuralgia (from my severe osteoarthritis, I guess). So am experimenting with a morning dose of 3 mg of LDN.

I'll meet next Monday with my Duke Pain Specialist and get his feedback about the daytime additional dose of LDN. It may not be a good idea, medically, but it does work!

I have occasional nausea but it isn't bad, and doesn't last all that long. Otherwise most of the side effects are gone.

Regards, ElaineD