Low dose naltrexone

[AnneRT]

Does anyone out there use low dose naltrexone on its own or in combination with caelyx?

[HerThing]

Hi Anne,

This is something I have recently been reading about. It is certainly an intriguing prospect and perhaps holds much promise. I have found nothing so far to discredit low dose naltrexone as a potential treatment, although there are critics who oppose it being put forward as a miracle cure without the proper trials. It seems it has had a problems attracting funding for clinical trials, maybe because it is already available as treatment for other conditions and is now out of patent. (No money in it?) I do know of a phase one trial that has been proposed and funding is currently being sought. I wouldn't presume to encourage anyone to embark on such a treatment, but I would say read about it and speak with your oncologist. They are the experts after all.

Best wishes

Andy

[nandi in reply to HerThing]

I have been reading about this also Andy. AnneRT Never heard of it being used with caelyx which I am on but think I will ask my Onc. next time. I am always interested in new things. So many things seem to be put on hold if there is no big money to be made ,such as drdu's ibuprofen. All avenues are worth exploring in my opinion.

All the best.

[HerThing in reply to nandi]

Hi Nandi, The combo with Caelex is new to me too, but I think some oncologists must be looking more closely at it. The main route seems to be to do with immunotherapy rather than chemotherapy. The fact that some real trials are in the offing is encouraging. Naltrexone like Ibuprofen costs pennies.

Andy x

[MargaretJ]

Not on my rdar! My Oncs are great so I tend not to look for miracles! there are not any promises of recovery so I do not look for thjem!

[HerThing in reply to MargaretJ]

Absolutely Margaret, if that is what suits you that's fine. For many people though that is not the case. Perhaps they are indeed looking for miracle, but if doing so helps them to understand this disease, that's also fine. After all, who are we to tell someone how they should or should not cope. For me, I am interested in what is on the horizon and this particular drug is forwarded by many as having a lot of potential in the treatment of various diseases including OC. I am in no way making any recommendation for its use (like many do). I am neither qualified or sufficiently informed, but I am intrigued by the promises of recovery and the variety of anecdotal evidence. It is perhaps something to watch for the future.

[MargaretJ in reply to HerThing]

i do not recommend for others! My disease is mine and not someone else's!

[HerThing in reply to MargaretJ]

Margaret, I think you will find I said, "many do" meaning just that. Many others do recommend the use of Low Dose Naltrexone. I never said, or even implied, that you did anything of the kind. I think you perhaps assumed too much.

[MargaretJ in reply to HerThing]

Sorry! No idea what you are talking about!

[Hidden]

Hi Andy

thanks for the info something to have a look at always pleased to do a bit of research and some bedtime reading!!!

miracles or not its always good to be able to have a tick box for or against.

Regards Barbara.X

[HerThing in reply to Hidden]

Hi Barbara, I do know there are some being prescribed this off label. I have only read about anecdotal cases which of course are not evidence. Pre medical trials did show some very positive results though. As I said, perhaps one to watch for the future.

Andy x

[AnneRT]

Thank you for the responses. I am not looking for miracles from medicine, but if there is something that helps without as much damage as chemotherapy I am going to give it a try. I am taking the naltrexone and having caelyx every 3 weeks. Will see what the .ca125 count does!!

[HerThing in reply to AnneRT]

Hi Anne, I hope you get a good result, do keep us informed.

Andy x

[Hidden]

Anne

I am with you anything thats going or on offer I am up for it, I Know the disease will never leave me but I will do my best to keep it at bay for as long as I can. If you are taking the naltrexone with the caelyx you Onc must have ok it.

I will keep my fingers crossed for the dreaded CA results. PLEASE let us know how you go on I for one would be interested.

Regards Barbara.X

[Hidden]

Hhhmmmm... Can I suggest that anyone interested reads this, published in 2010 by a neurologist? sciencebasedmedicine.org/lo... You can access the latest research by searching PubMed, Medline or Medscape, the latter being free.

[HerThing in reply to Hidden]

Hi Chrystynh

Yes, that is one of the things I read. It is a persuasive perspective. On the whole I do agree with the writer, without research it is unproven. Unproven does not mean ineffective though. In fact the writer himself does not even suggest that it doesn't work. How could he? It would defeat his own argument that it hasn't been trialled and is therefore in his view suspect science. Of course proper medical trials are needed and as I said earlier a phase one trial is on the cards if funding can be met.

Regards Andy x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Chrystyn, it's a really valuable article, not just in terms of naltrexone but in a much wider application too. We see so many bits of basic science which promise so much and yet come to nothing and this goes some way to explaining why. Also, he rightly flags up that many then use these preliminary papers to promote something which just hasn't worked out when taken further.

Not sure about this statement though:

"Truly promising and science-based treatments do not need an organization to promote them. The science will speak for itself"

Science based treatments are often promoted by drug companies, and not always in the best interests of patients. After all, it is now beginning to be said that the whole thing of treating high cholestrol with drugs is due to drug company hype.

Monique x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

This is true. But, did you know that a number of papers on statins were presented at ASCO 2013? Several statins are now being investigated for possible use as either cancer prevention or, in cancer patients, delaying recurrence.

There's a long list of drugs that are currently licensed - some available OTC such as aspirin and ibuprofen - some prescription only, such as metformin, that would, in an ideal world, be fully investigated. Naltrexone is one of many.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Didn't know that about statins. Interesting.

[jennybutler]

Any information on this can at least keep us well informed who knows it could be a cure?We need to look at every thing out there that may help us fight this horrid cancer. Well done for posting it.love Jenny

[dawnieg]

Thanks for this, I know nothing about it but always find this kind of stuff useful so I can find out more information.x