"Low dose naltrexone (LDN) is becoming more and more widely used in fibromyalgia (FM) and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). You can chart that use right back to Jarred Younger’s two small FM trials in 2009 and 2013.
Now Younger’s back with a third trial that aims to do two things: a) further validate LDN’s effectiveness in FM and b) attempt to understand what in the heck this unusual substance is doing in FM patients.
LDN could be working in a couple of ways in FM. It could, by blocking opiate receptors, cause a kind of paradoxical shift that spurs the production of feel good brain chemicals called endorphins"
An excerpt from An Immune Disease? Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) Fibromyalgia Study Suggests FM Has Inflammatory Side
Read more by putting the title in Google as cannot provide link as has advertising...
Research continues .....but this could determine whether it does have an inflammatory aspect or if further papers are published along these lines. I know the community here has it's own views whether it has an inflammatory side or not, even though current research leans towards the opposite.
What are your thoughts??
Emma
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Mdaisy
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Hi Emma.....Been doing some reading re. above and it sounds very hopeful. I cannot say I mind if it is inflammatory or not....if it works bring it on!!!! I need to read the article again (brain not working!!!) so may have further comments later....Thank you for posting....Tricia
Having looked briefly again at the article isn't this something our friends on here who are trying to get off opioids should suggest this to their GP's?
Mmm I don't appear to have inflammation in painful joints but that does not mean that there is not inflammation in blood cells. One popular theory talks about inflamed blood cells and fibres in the hand causing poor blood flow. But I am on slow release aspirin to improve blood flow. Inflammation could be one of a myriad of factors behind fibro. All I know is it is painful, exhausting, involves nerve endings joints, muscles and the ligaments binding them to bone. As for those who say it's all in the head, that's where all the nerve endings go, to the brain to register pain signals!
Big pharma does not seem to be making any effort into significant research into fibro and the UK Government has not even come up with NICE guidelines for the treatment of Fibromygelia. So it's pot luck on how particular GPS, Rhumetologist, neurologists and pain clinics treat you!
As LDN blocks opiate receptors does that mean you cannot take MST, oramorph, tramadol or any other opiate based painkiller when using it?
My layman understanding is that opiate painkillers block pain receptors. Too little and you still get pain, too much and you get unwanted euphoric or 'high' effects which interfere with daily life. Hence the juggling of doses with doctor.
It would make sense with me that it does have an inflammatory factor as I am having inflammatory issues with 5 other organs ! Will pass this information on th gp thanks Emma , good read and find .
Thanks Emma my friend, a really interesting post. As you probably know LDN is one of the in treatments at the moment for MS. It doesn't work for everyone (especially with relapsing remitting) but it is known to help many patients with the two progressive types of MS. I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck and please take care of yourself my friend.
Hi Emma. I take LDN and have been since December. I have fibromyalgia/CFS and have felt an improvement in my symptoms the longer I take it. I seems it's unlike any other drug in that it doesn't mask the pain but helps the immune system to improve. That is what I have read. However, I have just finished my 20th 'dive' with hyperbaric oxygen therapy and had amazing results, I am pain free!! I now have to do a weekly maintenance 'dive'
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