Low-dose naltrexone or LDN, has demonstrated the ability to reduce severe symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and various regional pain conditions. Right now, if you were to Google uses for LDN, a much longer list of possible uses will show up. For now, let’s focus on chronic pain.
With fibromyalgia, the chronic wide spread pain can grow difficult to manage combined with the additional symptoms of tiredness, sensitivity to lights and sound, anxiety and more. Low-dose naltrexone is not an opiate pain medication, but actually the complete opposite! It is an opiate blocker. When taken in low doses, (1-5 mg dosage range) pain can be reduced from the response of increased endorphins and decreased inflammation in the central nervous system.
When first starting out, your doctor will prescribe a very low dose just to get your body acquainted with the medication. Keep in mind everybody will respond differently and may need a to move up dosage size a little faster. Every patients is different – body size, metabolism, sensitivity and how they absorb the drug.
The treatment of low-dose naltrexone can take anywhere from 8-10 weeks to see if you respond to the drug. By working closely with your doctor, you will be able to establish a proper dosage to maximize effectiveness.
For more information on low-dose naltrexone, click HERE!
To schedule a consultation regarding low-dose naltrexone, give us a call at (215)-679-9700.
