The use of LDN Multiple Sclerosis therapy is growing by leaps and bounds. LDN, or Low Dose Naltrexone, treatment is growing in large part due to word of mouth. There are multiple forums on LDN MS treatment online and all one has to do is a Google search and dozens of these groups can be found in minutes. New Horizons newsletter (a publication of the Brewer Science Library) has also featured this Multiple Sclerosis off-label use where it gained further exposure.
What is LDN MS treatment?
LDN Multiple Sclerosis treatment is the off-label use of the drug Naltrexone. Originally approved for treating opiate addiction, Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, meaning that it interferes with the normal effects of drugs like morphine and heroin. By blocking the pleasurable effects the opiates have on the receptor cells in the brain, the addict will not experience the desired effect. The treatment was originally used by Dr. Bernard Bihari, a U.S. Neuro physician. He began using the LDS Multiple Sclerosis protocol in his own office, with his own patients. He hypothesizes that by blocking the effects of brain endorphins, the immune system would then be stimulated thereby reducing the activity of the MS. A low dose of 3mg will increase the T-cell level by 300% but the effect is only produced for 18 hours or less. The studies were not controlled, but were reported to be successful in individual patient testimonials. To date, there are no published clinical trial data supporting LDN MS use, but the National MS Society is funding two studies at the Pennsylvania State University to look into both low and high dose Naltrexone use in mice with a disease named EAE that mimics Multiple Sclerosis. Dr. Bihari was the main advocate for LDN Multiple Sclerosis treatment but his death in 2010 may slow further study.
How is Naltrexone used in the off-label treatment?
Usually, a patient will start off with 1.5mg daily for the first two weeks. The initial dosage is then increased by 0.5mg every two weeks until the optimum level is found for the individual patient. It varies by patient, and when the symptoms of the disease increase with the increased dosage, the patient will back off to the previous level and maintain at that level. This should not be taken as medical advice, but is simply documenting how the LDN MS treatment is started by most patients.
Most patients report that reduction of muscle spasms and symptoms of fatigue are relieved almost immediately.
