Newbie here

[purplejuicy]

Hi, I've been prescribed LDN for my hashimotos and the dr was a bit vague about exact dosing...just said start at 1.5 and gradually increase to 4.5

Can anyone help me with the standard protocol? How long do you hold the initial dose? How often do you raise and by how much? Ta

[aredtigress Administrator]

Kudos to your doctor for being willing to rx LDN. The LDN Trust's website has lots of information, I highly suggest looking around there too.

It's a bit more complex with Hashimotos. If you are on Thyroid meds, your doctor needs to monitor your levels often. LDN can quickly change Thyroid hormone levels. My recommendation is to stay at each level for at least a couple of weeks, if not a month. Increase by .5mg at a time.

Since your doctor isn't very helpful right now, below is a link to testimonials from patients with Hashimoto's (many, many testimonials!) Since my issue is Fibro, I think it's better for you to listen to others with your issue. They are found on the LDN Trust's website.

ldnresearchtrust.org/search...

Let me know how you're doing. Remember, we've been ill for a while, so it will take time for LDN to work. One of my friends says "this is not a race, it's a journey"

Michelle

[purplejuicy in reply to aredtigress]

Thanks so much, that's truly inspiring and lovely of you to share this info. I will get straight on that when I'm home (on holiday) I'm pretty sure the LDN is waiting for me so I'm excited!

I've read into LDN already last year and read so many wonderful testimonials but at that time no nhs dr I saw in Dorset even knew about it! I gave up. But when I got really ill again this year I thought enough is enough and I paid a lot of money to see a thyroid uk recommended specialist which was totally worth it. I was armed with facts and info but I didn't need to even mention it, he suggested it first. There is hope!

Thanks again, I hope it's done wonders for you and your life? Hashimotos is one hell of a complicated disease, learning as much as I can through books and research though so hoping to reverse it with all this knowledge and LDN! I'm in for the journey, not a race as you say 😊 x

[aredtigress Administrator in reply to purplejuicy]

Thanks for asking, I've been taking LDN for two years now - the difference it makes is amazing. That's one of the reasons I volunteer for the Trust

With your attitude, you will do well!! Enjoy your holiday and I look forward to hearing about your journey.

[purplejuicy in reply to aredtigress]

Can I ask if you've been advised it's something you'll have to take for life? It's pretty expensive to add to all the other supplements & thyroid meds I have to pay for 😰 hoping it's all not for life 🙏🏼

So I've taken my first 1.5mg dose last night @ 9pm and I'm wide awake at 5:50...coincidence? 🤔

[aredtigress Administrator in reply to purplejuicy]

We are advised that it is most likely we will have to take LDN the rest of our life - the only way to tell is to go off it for a while. I took a 2 month break recently and symptoms did return.

Cost shouldn't be too high, actually lower than supplements for me. I pay $45 for a 90 day supply.

Here's what Dr. Bihari has to say about insomnia and LDN: "Considering that the naltrexone is such a low dose, it is uncommon to cause any side effects; potential side effects diminish as the body adjusts to LDN and increased endorphin levels. Side effects are less likely to occur when a small starting dose is used and gradually increased over time. It is better to start LDN at the lowest dose possible and increase slowly to allow for any side effects that may occur. If side effects occur, the dose can be reduced. Some of the more common side effects are: sleep disturbance, insomnia, vivid dreams.

If sleep disturbances do occur, LDN can be taken in the morning. Sleep disturbances diminish after taking LDN for some time."

Surprisingly, for me and many others, LDN helped my chronic insomnia. I sleep twice as long as before and fall back asleep much quicker. I joke that it's nice to have dreams to remember - was over 10 years that I didn't dream much.

Some folks supplement with melatonin for a month as well. Hang in there!

Michelle