Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) has worked wonders for my autoimmune disease. Over the last year, I have been noticing more breakthrough symptoms. Things are still very manageable, but it was starting to interfere with work. I read an email posted by Dr. Zagon about the potential benefits of staggering doses. The benefit of LDN comes from binding to opiate receptors for short periods of time. While bound to the receptors, the body picks up the message that there is a deficiency of endorphins. The body begins producing more opiate receptors and boosts endorphin production. This causes the endorphins to turn around and help moderate the immune system. This is called a rebound effect, and low dosage size and short duration in the body is critical to achieve the effect. If the body can't clear the medication in a short period of time, the benefit declines. Lately I've been taking the medication every other day (I wouldn't recommend this for folks just starting out that don't have a cause to try this), and it's been helping. I've been having more sleep disturbances, but have more energy still.
We had a couple fuzzy visitors - Annie was fairly gracious about it
One of the problems I was have in December and January was vertigo and nausea. I thought it was just a symptom of my lupus, but my chiropractor suggested that I get muscle tested for B12. Muscle testing is something I don't whole-heartedly believe in, but I started taking the B12 and after a week felt much better. I have started taking Biotics B12-2000 lozenges in addition to a patch of B12 behind my ear once a week. I've still managed to avoid shots for now.
Everyone needs a sock monkey hat! Champ demanding another walk.
While being stressed out, the benefits of making it to the gym every day have become more apparent. My boss even tells me to go - my productivity and mood improve afterwards. My energy levels tend to drop around 2 or 3, but instead of going with the wave of people to the coffee shop to get a latte and cookie, I head down to the gym for my lunch hour and come back to my desk ready to work a couple more hours. It's worth eating at my desk. Instead of getting off the bus and greeting my husband exhausted, we can spend some time walking the dogs and chatting.
Champ, enjoying the snow!
Champ has also been doing really well! It's been quite a while since his Mast Cell diagnosis (at least a year and a half), and he has been a frisky boy. He's been playing with Annie and demanding several walks a day. We haven't seen any signs of recurrence. I've got him on curcumin, a mushroom blend, and COQ10 in addition to a joint supplement.
I have been reading The China Study lately, and it is amazing. I plan to post more on that later. If you're interested in learning more about LDN I recommend the following links:
http://www.ldnscience.org/low-dose-naltrexone-ldn/how-does-ldn-work
http://www.ldnscience.org/low-dose-naltrexone-ldn/questions-and-answers
Glad to hear that the LDN has been working out for you. So you've been on it for 1 year now is that right? Thanks for posting the LDN info links!
ReplyDeleteI've actually been on it for over 5 years. It took about 2 months to feel an energy kick, another month to not feel overly fatigued after over-doing it (I had energy so felt that I could clean the house or hike a few miles, but my body wasn't healed enough yet). I've had mini-flares now and then, but it's been a really successful treatment.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are doing OK. I appreciate your keeping us updated. Interesting info about the LDN, I will try to remember to pass the info on to my doctor.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of LDN when I had to go to the hospital recently for a procedure they asked if it was for addiction. And if one of my antiviral drugs was for HIV. Ugh, ignorance.