Introductory LDN Symptoms

For those of you in the first 3 months of LDN therapy Dr. Bob
Lawrence from the UK who has MS & uses LDN himself explains why the temporary increase in MS symptoms.

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