Low-dose naltrexone and lupus
Small doses of naltrexone have been taken by people with lupus to help reduce pain and regulate the immune system.
We naturally produce neuropeptides that bond to the opioid receptors in the brain. They are endorphins and enkephalins. A lot of endorphins and enkephalins are produced during exercise, which is why exercise can be so good for Lupus Warriors in pain. They are also produced when you are injured, happy, relaxed, or believe that something can help you. (In fact, that is a part of how the placebo response works!)
At a low dose, naltrexone blocks a few of the opioid receptors in the body. This make the body less sensitive to the pain-relieving and other effects of endorphins and enkephalins. While the blocking isn’t usually enough for you to feel, it is enough for your body to detect. In response, the body tries to make up for it by producing more endorphins and enkephalins and, also, producing more opioid receptors. When the small amount of naltrexone wears off, the combination of higher amounts of natural painkillers and more-sensitive cells reduce the sensation of pain.
More than pain management
The small flood of endorphins and enkephalins also trigger receptors throughout the cells of the immune system and help to reign it in. Endorphins and enkephalins are a major part of how the immune system functions. They are involved in antibody creation and the ability of the body to hunt down and kill cancer cells. They might also help “police” the immune system, preventing it from attacking the body’s own cells inappropriately — the basis for autoimmune disease.
Low-dose naltrexone also interacts with glial cells, the “glue” of the brain, to stop pain. When these cells are activated, they help promote inflammation and are also involved in chronic pain, including fibromyalgia. Low-dose naltrexone may protect glial cells from irritation and prevent them from activating.
I have been on Low dose Naltrexone for about a tear. I have SLE and fibromyalgia. This is not a “miracle pill”. I can definitely feel it when I don’t take it, but when I’m able to take it regularly, I don’t have extreme flares.
Thanks for reading and sharing your experiences with LDN, Meredith!
I have been taking 4.5mg of LDN for a couple years & it definitely helps with my muscle pain. Especially with my stiffness in the morning. I highly recommend it!!
Hi Kimberly, Thanks for reading and sharing your experiences with LDN!
Question what if your taking opioid I’m in pain management don’t like taking only helps a little but doesn’t last,
I I am so excited about this option. Lupus patience desperately need help with quality of life and hope. Coming from someone who has had lupus for 33 yrs and I am in. Bed in excruciating pain most if time. Please do more around this topic
Hi Deanna,
Thanks for reading and sharing. I definitely agree with you and hope LDN may be one reason to be optimistic. We will be sure to cover new LDN research.
-Brett
I have started taking mine about 6 months ago. Life changing! I can do so much more than I was able to previously! Not only is my pain level now manageable daily with yoga, my inflammation has been almost none existant! Extremely happy with my decision!
Glad to hear it and thanks so much for sharing your experience!
What types of exercises do you include in your daily yoga?
-Brett
Would taking LDN help me get off my prednisone?
Taking a low dose of Naltrexone has been a game changer for me. I use to be so stiff I could barely move. My body would just ache all day. I rarely have stiffness now. I have also lost weight because I can be more active now.
I have been taking an opioid for 10 years and I don’t want to take them any more. I’ve tried stopping the medication but I became very sick with chills, shaking and a sense of desperation. I would rather take LDN how can I go about making the change?
I am a nurse working in addiction therapy. After 10 years on Opiates, you would have to be treated by a Dr. that specializes in addiction to ” “detox” you completely before attempting Naltrexone. Taking it before all the opiates are completely out of your body can cause precipitated withdrawal. Which is not only miserable but dangerous . there are lots of centers now that specialize in detoxing and pain management. They could probably start the low dose naltrexone after they detox you and see how it works before leaving the facility. this might take a couple of weeks. definitely worth a try , since opiates loser efficacy over time and you have to take more and more to have the same effect.
I am a nurse working in addiction therapy. After 10 years on Opiates, you would have to be treated by a Dr. that specializes in addiction to ” “detox” you completely before attempting Naltrexone. Taking it before all the opiates are completely out of your body can cause precipitated withdrawal. Which is not only miserable but dangerous . there are lots of centers now that specialize in detoxing and pain management. They could probably start the low dose naltrexone after they detox you and see how it works before leaving the facility. this might take a couple of weeks. definitely worth a try , since opiates loser efficacy over time and you have to take more and more to have the same effect.
I am resident in Australia and have Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE). Have been taking Plaquenil for 2 years but no help and have now stopped it with no change. Interested in trying LDN but can find no specific reference to use for this. Would appreciate your opinion and dosage recommendations. Need I be concerned about health of Liver and Kidneys?
In the US you would need to see a functional medicine doctor. pharmaceutical trained doctors don’t know anything about it.
I get my LDN prescribed by a Naturopath,. I was diagnosed with MS when I was 30, searched for years for a solution and finally found LDN. Now I’m almost 70, happy and healthy!
If somone is on a high dose of pain meds than takes naltrexone it can put them in practicpated withdrawals. It takes over the pain receptors in the brain it doesn’t allow opioids to stick. You don’t want to create more pain receptors. When you develop more it’s because your body is dependent on whatever painkiller your on. Your brain gets flooded with euphoria and develops more pain receptors because it’s use to getting high. More receptors more pain, more withdrawal.
If somone is on a high dose of pain meds than takes naltrexone it can put them in practicpated withdrawals. It takes over the pain receptors in the brain it doesn’t allow opioids to stick. You don’t want to create more pain receptors. When you develop more it’s because your body is dependent on whatever painkiller your on. Your brain gets flooded with euphoria and develops more pain receptors because it’s use to getting high. More receptors more pain, more withdrawal.
Does it help prevent damage to the organs like hydroxychloroquine is supposed to do?
Does it help prevent damage to the organs like hydroxychloroquine is supposed to do?
Does it help prevent damage to the organs like hydroxychloroquine is supposed to do?