How do I know whether symptoms are Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) side effects or symptoms due to the underlying condition? 

How do I know whether symptoms are Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) side effects or symptoms due to the underlying condition? 

Underlying conditions, especially autoimmune conditions, have a variety and often ever-changing symptoms. So this goes back to it, the things that I usually point out. If you're getting stomach upset, you can discontinue Naltrexone on the dose that you're on, and after two to three days, if those symptoms abate, then you know it's a side effect of the drug. If it's not the side effect of the drug and still continuing, you know it's not the drug, and it's your symptom of your autoimmune disorder.

For example, migraines and headaches are very commonly part and parcel of the symptoms of autoimmune disorders. You should be seeing an improvement in those sort of symptoms before you see a degradation. If you've got something like inflammatory bowel disease and you're constantly having gastrointestinal issues, you shouldn't see a worsening of it. You should see an improvement at some point, or at least a stabilization. And so, yes to your question, that's where you have to talk to your pharmacist and get clarity on your specific autoimmune disorder, and then we can walk you through it.

So, for example, Sjogren's disease, dry eyes, dry mouth, dry skin, usually you have other autoimmune disorders around it. There's usually some markers. Usually what we're looking for is just an overall improvement, and you'll know the difference because you go from very dry to, yes, stabilization to improvement, to all of a sudden getting headaches and irritable and everything's drying out again. I woke up this morning, and I had that dry cough. You just have to know which ones are really bothering you first and foremost.

But again, headache being the biggest one. Gastrointestinal is usually root of administration. Insomnia: is it specifically between 2-4 or 5 hours after your dose? You'll see this endorphin rush. Vivid dreams. If you normally have vivid dreams, they go from technicolor dream coat, sort of fun, interesting dreams to nightmares. That's a sign of a side effect, not necessarily a good side effect.