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Posted by Aletha on the Lowdosenaltrexone yahoogroup, Wed May 28, 2008 3:48 pm, #65429

Subject: Re: [lowdosenaltrexone] Trouble shooting guide

Hi everyone, I think it is important to remind everyone that we do notice overall about 15% of people taking LDN for MS do not seem to get any help from it. We have also noticed that many people experience worsening of symptoms, re-visiting old symptoms or even having new problems for a short period of time and then they usually get better and go on to experience the benefits of LDN. It is scary when you take a medicine hoping to get better and you are feeling worse. But since this happens enough that we are used to seeing it and seeing people get through it with good results, we try and encourage those taking LDN to ride through it. Understandably not everyone can tolerate worsening symptoms and they must keep asking themselves if this med is making them worse or if they are part of that 15% that just won't get better on it.

Other options that might help while going through a difficult period of time with increasing symptoms include:

1. Checking on who is providing your LDN to make sure they are formulating it correctly and with a filler that works best for you. I usually recommend going through one of the pharmacies listed on the LDN web site that have been providing LDN successfully for an extended period of time.

2. We also have seen some that have not been doing better with LDN test for Lymes and find out that they never actually had MS. We recommend testing with a Lymes literate doctor. Apparently some of the general tests for Lymes may not catch or diagnose it accurately.

3. We have also seen a number of cases where people were not feeling better with LDN and then they get checked for Candida (overgrowth of yeast in your body - many times stemming from use of antibiotics). If they find they have a high concentration of Candida and they go through the process of getting it under control LDN tends to work much better for them.

4. Keeping stress in check: Time and time again we find that exasperations come up in times of extreme stress. This even happens to those that are doing well with LDN use. We cannot emphasize enough to find ways to reduce stress in your life.

5. Infections: There have been a number of people that have experienced a return of symptoms while they have large scale infections. One doctor described to his patient that it may be that the immune system is concentrating on healing the infection and cannot also keep symptoms at bay during that same time period.

6. For the reduction in side effects some people have starting LDN at a very low dosage and built their way up to 3 or 4.5. Those that do this typically start at 1.5mg, and gradually go up to 3 or 4.5 until they feel at their best. It is important to note however that this may delay seeing more immediate benefits in symptoms or lack of progression that one hopes to achieve in taking LDN, and that Dr. Bihari still recommends starting at 4.5mg (or 3.0mg for those with significant MS spasms) and working ones way through any side effects.

Over the past couple of years we have been saving chats regarding problems associated with the many illnesses and/or problems that are helped by or associated with LDN use. Many times we try and forward on the solutions found by other chatters from this site. If you have questions or problems please write regarding the problems to the chat site and we will send you what we can find that has been saved. Some of these problems and solutions found include: stiffness, sleep, fatigue, etc. We also have been forwarding messages regarding other supplements that have helped others with certain ailments like pain, depression, eye problems etc.

For those that have been on this chat site and have had success with this wonderful drug we stay on only to help others get there too. Heath is the goal, and helping others reach that goal is a wonderful gift to everyone concerned. That is what this site is all about.

My best

Aletha

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/lowdosenaltrexone/message/65429