Low Dose Naltrexone for fibromyalgia

Ease Fibromyalgia Symptoms using Naltrexone

If the fibromyalgia condition is not treated properly it will worsen the situation by increasing the pain.

Recent study has proved that Low – Dose Naltrexone can ease the fibromyalgia pain and symptoms to more than 30 percent within a short period of time.

Researches were made to understand more about LDN that helps in conditions related to autoimmune.

Further researches were made that proves that some of the pains such as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Restless Leg Syndrome, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy etc. are something that are autoimmune based pain especially for chronic nerve pain conditions.

A study was made recently where patients with fibromyalgia symptoms were treated with LDN and the results were amazing. They were able to experience 30 % reduction in the pain that they usually have.

Naltrexone is a drug that is new and commonly used to treat opioid addiction. It was recently found out that it can also have positive effects on people with fibromyalgia.

Low dose naltrexone was experimented by Stanford’s Jarred Younger, PhD, and Sean Mackey, MD, PhD to understand the effects of naltrexone on fibromyalgia patients.

The results were amazing that the women on whom the experiment was made experienced 30 percent reduction in the symptoms of fibromyalgia pain.

How Naltrexone can be helpful for Fibromyalgia patients?

Glia is the cells and nerves in which the Central Nervous System (CNS) in the human body is made of. Glia provides immune protection to the Central Nervous System along with host defence.

For normal situations the glia remains inactive and they become active when the individual is exposed to any type of injury or infection.

When there is such situation the most important change that happens in the human body is especially when there is brain and spinal cord inflammation. During this situation, glia cells in the body are activated.

Glia cells then produce neurotoxic and pro-inflammatory factors which include the following:

  • Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)
  • Interleukin one beta (IL1-β)
  • Fatty acid metabolites and
  • Nitric oxide and superoxide which are free radicals

During complex region pain the peripheral nerve damage is shifted to glia which in turn comes to an activated state inside the spinal cord.

This pain can also be neuropathic pain. Astrocytes and microglia belong to the family of glia cells which has special roles to perform.

  • Astrocytes – Helps in maintaining the cell fluid balance. This is important for neurotransmitters which is the action of chemicals in cells.
  • Microglia – They help in protecting and guarding the immune system.

Again glia is activated by opioids, injury or infection, trauma etc. Once it is activated, it releases cytokines. So, coming to the significance of Naltrexone, it is one of the drug that can block the opioids effects and helps in preventing the glia activation.

Low dose naltrexone which is in other words called as LDN will be helpful in inhibiting the activation of glia.

But before taking Low Dose Naltrexone for fibromyalgia condition, the individual should be aware about the recent research evidence and clinical trials that is being carried out.

Response with other therapies or any other contradictions or drug interactions are some other factors to be considered before taking LDN.

 Low Dose Naltrexone for fibromyalgia

Safety measures to use Naltrexone as a medication

Most of the doctors or physicians are not much aware about LDN. But you will be able to find many references or research papers online about LDN and details about it.

You can have a detailed discussion with your doctor regarding the significance of LDN and how it will help you out.

When you start using LDN the first thing that you should keep in mind is that, it will take some reasonable time to work in your body.

In some of the cases it will even take several months for the effect to be visible. Some patients will even respond quickly after the intake.

Dosage is very important in the consumption of Naltrexone. Researches prove that low dose consumption of Naltrexone is completely safe as no major issues were reported till date.

If patients already have a problem with liver or kidneys, they should consult their doctors to monitor their conditions before consumption of LDN. It is also said to have negative effects on liver if high dosage is taken.

Another notable point about LDN is that, the researches have not seen any long terms effects of LDN.

If there is a relief in the condition of the patients, they can stop using it after getting a relief as there is no proper effect analysis made for long term usage of LDN. They should approach this with ultimate caution.

What to expect from LDN?

The main significance of LDN is to reduce the effect of the disease that you have. It will not happen in single day of consumption of the drug.

It can take several weeks to show some effect on you. Some of the improvements that can be seen after regular usage are as follows:

  • Pain exacerbation
  • Improved functioning and tolerance to pain syndrome
  • Percentage of pain experienced is lessened
  • Reduction in depression level is experienced
  • Notable increase in the energy levels
  • Brain fog symptoms reduced and memory skills will be improved

It is not the case that the symptoms of fibromyalgia will be completely eradicated from the body after using Naltrexone but there will be a great relief from the symptoms.

The individuals who use Naltrexone regularly will still have symptoms of fibromyalgia but it will be manageable.

Most of the doctors are not experienced with LDN and usage of LDN. It is better to approach an experienced doctor who is up to date with the information on LDN to get it prescribed for you.

Handling LDN for treatment is something that every doctor should be cautious about.

If high dosage is given to the patients, it creates negative effects in the body. Apart from this when LDN is taken, it takes some time to clear it from your system.

If you have surgery planned after starting medication with LDN, you should consult your doctor to get more details on the effects and contradictions that it can make.

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