All these flareups while LDN?4 those in 1st few months LDN use

[Guest guest]

For those of you in the first few months of LDN therapy Dr. Bob

Lawrence from the UK who has MS & uses LDN himself explains why the

temporary increase in MS symptoms upon starting LDN.

When starting this LDN(Low Dose Naltrexone) therapy in the treatment

of MS, there may also be some initial transient, though temporary,

increase in MS symptoms.

Experience in using this method has demonstrated most commonly, such

as disturbed sleep, occasionally with vivid, bizarre and disturbing

dreams, tiredness, fatigue, spasm and pain. These increased symptoms

would not normally be expected to last more than seven to ten days.

Rarely, other transient symptoms have included more severe pain and

spasm, headache, diarrhea or vomiting. These additional symptoms would

appear to be associated with the previous frequent use of strong

analgesics, which effectively create an addiction and dependency, thus

increasing the body's sensitivity to pain. This temporary increase in

symptoms may also perhaps be explained when we consider the manner in

which this drug is expected to work.

Initially, MS occurs due to a reduction in the activity of the

controlling influence of the suppressor T-cells within the immune

system. During an acute relapse, the overall number of T-cells is

reduced, the normal balance of helper T-cells and suppressor T-cells

is disrupted and the damaging helper (CD-4) T-cells tend to

predominate. This is the situation most pronounced during an acute

relapse but occurs similarly, but to a lesser extent, in chronic

progressive MS. Under the influence of LDN there will be an expected

increase in the overall numbers of T-cells but, because the CD-4,

helper T-cells tend to predominate at this time, an increase in their

numbers will expectedly tend to increase MS symptoms. It is only when

the numbers of suppressor T-cells effectively " catch up " that the

normal balance is restored and symptoms once again diminish and

improve.

In addition, because LDN stimulates the immune system and many of the

drugs routinely used by the NHS in the treatment of MS further

suppress the immune system, LDN cannot be used in company with

steroids, beta interferon, methotrexate, azathioprine or mitozantrone

or any other immune suppressant drug. If there is any doubt, please

submit a full list of the drugs you are presently taking so that their

compatibility may be assessed.

In addition, because LDN will also block the analgesic effects of any

opiate drugs (includes codeine, dihydrocodeine, morphine, pethidine or

diamorphine) presently being taken, the use of LDN will initially

greatly increase the level of pain experienced. It is therefore

advisable that any opiate-like drugs be discontinued at least two

weeks before this treatment is initiated. When starting the treatment

it is essential that any untoward or adverse side-effects are reported

immediately so that the treatment process can be further assessed and,

if necessary, modified.

Dr. M R Lawrence

Posted by , LDN user 4 1/2 years for MS