Has anyone used this med, or know anything about it? Apparently it has been helpful for many MS patients, and it seems it might be helpful for many people with autoimmune disorders (and there is some thinking out there that RSD is autoimmune).

Hi Curious--here's the thread! Breathing new life into it!

no we see if anyone has. i think it is something to question. i know ldn is being used for ms and pd.

Yes, it sounds like it is being used for several things, with wonderful success for many. I would be willing to be a guinea pig with this one. The trouble of course would be finding a doctor to prescribe it. I just e-mailed Skip's Pharmacy with some questions. Since they compound it, maybe they know if anyone is using it for RSD. The rationale behind it makes a LOT of sense to me. I'd be willing to bet that folks with RSD have bodies that are deprived of endorphins, and if this influences immunity, causes an inflammatory cascade and perpetuates the RSD cycle.

By the way, I think I may have mentioned in a different thread, there are clinical trials underway on the use of this med for Fibro, and many people with RSD develop Fibro. Interesting coincidence.

I've never heard of it... BUT.....

I'm off on a search to see what I can find so that I can discuss it with my doc.

Thank you for bringing this to my attention!!

Abbie

abbie, go look on the ms forum.there is an LDN sticky.

This is exciting--I e-mailed Skip at Skip's Pharmacy (they are a compounding pharmacy and deal with this med a lot) to ask about his experience with LDN and RSD patients. He said their 3rd or 4th patient had RSD and they were able to significanly reduce her neurontin dosage and she has not returned to pre-dosing pain levels. It has been 8 years.

that is great millerprof!!!

I went onto .. oops.. Hi everyone!! ok..Hi Miller prof!
Okay.. I went on to Wikipedia, the free encyelopedia, and this is what I found.. Low dose, naltrexone (LDN) where the drug is used in doses approximately one- tenth those used for drug/alcohol rehabilitation purposes, is being used by some as an "off-label" experimental treatment for certain immunologically-related disorders, including HIV/Aids multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's cancer, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis, and central nervous system disorders.
Now, check this out... The main use of naltrexone is for treatment of alcohol dependence!
After publication of the first two randomised, controlled trials in 1992, a number of studies has confirmed its efficacy in reducing frequency and severity of relapse to drinking.
Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist used primarily in the management of alcohol dependence and opioid dependence. It is marketed in generic form as its hydrochloride salt, naltrexone hydrochloride, and marketed under the trade names Revia and Depade.
In some countries including the United States, an extended-release formation is marketed under the trade name Vivitrol. It should not be confused with naloxone, which is used in emergency cases of overdose rather than for longer- term dependence control.~Love, Desi

Hi Desi,
Yes, you are right, Naltrexone is usually used for alcohol or drug dependence, but this is in high doses. In very small doses it seems to help with these other disorders, such as autoimmune. Where I could see it not working for RSD is for those who do take opiods--perhaps it might render them ineffective for the person, but I'm not sure it would at such a small dose. It would definately be considered "off-label" or experimental for RSD, but since Naltrexone is approved by the FDA, a doctor could apparently use their discretion. It does sound like there is a lot of controversy over its use. If you go to http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org you can also read more about it.