LDN and Fibromyalgia which many Hashi's Patient... - Thyroid UK

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LDN and Fibromyalgia which many Hashi's Patients Suffer with...

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Low-dose naltrexone for the treatment of fibromyalgia: findings of a small, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced, crossover trial assessing daily pain levels.

Younger J1, Noor N, McCue R, Mackey S.

Author information

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether low dosages (4.5 mg/day) of naltrexone reduce fibromyalgia severity as compared with the nonspecific effects of placebo. In this replication and extension study of a previous clinical trial, we tested the impact of low-dose naltrexone on daily self-reported pain. Secondary outcomes included general satisfaction with life, positive mood, sleep quality, and fatigue.

METHODS:

Thirty-one women with fibromyalgia participated in the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced, crossover study. During the active drug phase, participants received 4.5 mg of oral naltrexone daily. An intensive longitudinal design was used to measure daily levels of pain.

RESULTS:

When contrasting the condition end points, we observed a significantly greater reduction of baseline pain in those taking low-dose naltrexone than in those taking placebo (28.8% reduction versus 18.0% reduction; P = 0.016). Low-dose naltrexone was also associated with improved general satisfaction with life (P = 0.045) and with improved mood (P = 0.039), but not improved fatigue or sleep. Thirty-two percent of participants met the criteria for response (defined as a significant reduction in pain plus a significant reduction in either fatigue or sleep problems) during low-dose naltrexone therapy, as contrasted with an 11% response rate during placebo therapy (P = 0.05). Low-dose naltrexone was rated equally tolerable as placebo, and no serious side effects were reported.

CONCLUSION:

The preliminary evidence continues to show that low-dose naltrexone has a specific and clinically beneficial impact on fibromyalgia pain. The medication is widely available, inexpensive, safe, and well-tolerated. Parallel-group randomized controlled trials are needed to fully determine the efficacy of the medication.

Copyright © 2013 by the American College of Rheumatology.

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6 Replies
maxwellous profile image
maxwellous

Gimme, gimme, gimme some!!! Only joking, but sounds good to me!.

asmile4u profile image
asmile4u in reply to maxwellous

:)

faith63 profile image
faith63

Proper thyroid meds, especially use of t3 have helped many with Fibromyalgia pain , by speeding up the metabolism, which is needed in Hypothyroidism. The root cause of Hashimoto's in many, is diet related, like issues with Gluten and Dairy, chemicals in the food and water..like Fluoride etc.. I would hope that people would explore those options before popping another pill, adding another chemical into their bodies. That being said, i am to the point of trying ldn, after finding a trigger for my Hashimotos and t3 only have failed.

asmile4u profile image
asmile4u in reply to faith63

I am in the same position. I am optimal on my thyroid and adrenals. I have cut out gluten and dairy. I have had all my vitamins tested and am at the right levels. I at the point where I have set up an appointment with my doctor, bringing test studies, to discuss it.

faith63 profile image
faith63 in reply to asmile4u

How do you know your thyroid meds are optimal? Have you had a reverse t3 test done as well as all the frees? Have you tried t3 only yet?

asmile4u profile image
asmile4u in reply to faith63

Yes and yes. I go to a integrated medicine doctor. She tested all of those and yes I tried t3. It took me a year to be at the high end of the Free T4 and Free T3 as well have my antibodies where they are supposed to be. The t3 only made me very sick (numerous side effects) and right now I am on Armour. I still experience daily severe muscle pain and have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, but I am sure it is due to the inflammation of Hashi's. I had thought when everything was good the pain would just disappear, but that is not happening and it is interfering with my life. I have tried many other medications such as gabapentin and tramadol and was either too drugged up to function or had a nasty reaction. So, I am hoping that this will at least take the edge off so that I can function

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