LDN (Low dose naltrexone) in the treatment of fibromyalgia

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Last updated 29/06/2019 by The pain clinics - Interdisciplinary Health

It is claimed that LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone) can increase endorphin levels and thus relieve a number of chronic conditions. These include fibromyalgia, ME / CFS and chronic fatigue syndrome. But how does it work?

What is LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone)?

Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) is a drug that in low doses (3-4,5mg / day) blocks the effects of morphine-like substances. At higher doses, naltrexone is used for abstinence in the treatment of alcoholism and opioid dependence. LDN is otherwise said to help against systemic connective tissue diseases, autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and the rheumatic condition Fibromyalgia - as well as other conditions such as ME and chronic fatigue syndrome.

How does LDN work?

Naltrexone is an antagonist that binds to the opioid receptors in the cells. Theoretically, LDN temporarily blocks brain endorphin uptake. Endorphins are the body's own pain suppressor and are produced by the brain itself. This can cause that the brain compensates by increasing its own endorphin production. The result is an increased endorphin level that can reduce pain and increase the feeling of well-being. Increased production of endorphins may thus help against pain, spasm, fatigue, relapse and other symptoms, but the mechanism of action and final results remain to be shown.

- Proven effect in the treatment of opioid addiction

Naltrexone will also counteract the effects of heroin (which is synthesized from morphine) and has proved helpful in relieving opioid addiction. Government agencies such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved the use of naltrexone for the treatment of chronic opioid dependence and drug addiction.

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What you should know about LDN (Low Dose Naltroxen):

- LDN can through the mechanism of action cancel out the effect of painkillers

- LDN must be prescribed by a doctor on a separate form since there is no registered drug in Norway

- The recommended daily dose is 3-4,5 mg which is taken between 21.00 and 03.00 at night, which is related to the body's endorphin cycle

- LDN has not documented disease-suppressing effect against rheumatic diseases

These medications should not be taken with LDN (according to fibrotrust):

Acetyldihydrocodone
Activated by Codeine Cough Syrup ®
Actiq ®
Alfenta®
Alfentinyl
Ambenyl
Amogel PG®
Antibus ®
Aspirin with Codeine
Astramorph PF®
Avonex
Betaserone
Broncholate CS
Buprenex ®
Buprenorphine
butorphanol
Capital and Codeine Oral Solution
Catapres ®
CellCept
Cesamet ®
Cheracol
clonidine
codeine
Codinal PH®
Darvocet ®
Deconsal
Demerol ®
Diabismul ®
Diamorphine
dihydrocodeine
Dilaudid ®
Dimethane-DC Cough Syrup ®
Diphenoxylate
Disulfiram
Doda
Dolophine®
Donnagel-PG ®
Dovolex®
Dronabinol, THC
Duragesic ®
Duramorph®
Emprin with Codeine ®
Endocet ®
Endocodone®
Fentanyl
Fentora ®

Fioricet with Codeine ®
Fiorinal with Codeine ®
Heroin
Humira - N
Hycodan®
Hydrocodone
Hydromorphone
Hyrocane
Imidium AD ®
Infantol Pink ®
Infumorph
Isoclor Expectorant
Kadian ®
Kaodene with Codeine®
Kaodene with Paregoric ®
I LAAM
laudanum
levorphanol
Levo-Dromoran®
Lomotile
Lorcet®
Lortab ®
Marinol ®
Mellaril ®
meperidine
Meperitab ®
methadone
Methadose ®
Methotrexate
Morphine
M-Oxy
MSIR®
Nabilone ®
Nalbuphine
Naloxone®
Norco
Novahistine DH®
Novahistine Expectorant
novantrone
Nubain ®
Nucofed Expectorant
Numorpan®
Numorphone®
WHO
Opana ®
Opium
Oramorph
oxycodone
Oxycontin
OxyIR

oxymorphone
Paracodine®
paregoric
Par-Glycerol-C (CV)
pentazocin
Percocet ®
Percodan ®
Pethidine
Pediacof®
Phenaphen with Codeine®
Phenergan with Codeine ®
Phenergan VC ®
Poly-histidine
Promethazine VC with Codeine
propoxyphene
Rebiff
Remicade - Must be off 50 days
Remifentinil
Rescudose
Robitussin AC ®
Robitussin DAC ®
Roxanol
Roxicodone ®
Soma with Codeine
Stadol ®
Sublimaze®
suboxone
Subutrex®
Sufenta®
Sufentinil
Talwin ®
Thioridazine
Triaminic Expectorant with Codeine ®
Tussionex
Tussi-Organ Iden
Tylox
Tysabri
Tussar-2 ®
Between SF ®
Ultiva®
Vicodin ®
Vicoprofen
Xodol
Zydon

Source: Fibrotrust

What can I do even for muscle and joint pain?

1. General exercise, specific exercise, stretching and activity are recommended, but stay within the pain limit. Two walks a day of 20-40 minutes make good for the whole body and sore muscles.

2. Trigger point / massage balls we strongly recommend - they come in different sizes so you can hit well even on all parts of the body. There is no better self help than this! We recommend the following (click the image below) - which is a complete set of 5 trigger point / massage balls in different sizes:

3. Training: Specific training with training tricks of various opponents (such as this complete set of 6 knits of different resistance) can help you train strength and function. Knit training often involves more specific training, which in turn can lead to more effective injury prevention and pain reduction.

4. Pain Relief - Cooling: Biofreeze is a natural product that can relieve pain by cooling the area gently. Cooling is especially recommended when the pain is very severe. When they have calmed down then heat treatment is recommended - it is therefore advisable to have both cooling and heating available.

5. Pain Relief - Heating: Warming up tight muscles can increase blood circulation and reduce pain. We recommend the following reusable hot / cold gasket (click here to read more about it) - which can be used both for cooling (can be frozen) and for heating (can be heated in the microwave).

Recommended products for pain relief for muscle and joint pain