Dr Jill Carnahan from the US shares her experience of LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone) from LDN Research Trust on Vimeo.
Summary:
Dr. Jill Carnahan is from Colorado in the United States. She first heard of low dose naltrexone (LDN) 5-6 years prior to the interview. It looked promising and safe, and after researching and talking with colleagues and patients, she began prescribing it after patients gave informed consent. She has prescribed LDN for 40-50 patients, and only 10-20% discontinue it because of insomnia, anxiety, or anorexia – although some people like losing some appetite. Generally side effects are minimal and tend to diminish over time. Starting with a lower dose helps. Her routine titration is LDN 1.5 mg, then 3.0 mg, then 4.5 mg – the most-studied doses. She hypothesizes that those who have less tolerable side effects might have high endorphins already, thus they don’t get much benefit from LDN’s effect on endorphins, and are likely to experience anxiety or some mild hypomania from the increased endorphins. The majority of patients on LDN feel better little by little over time. Typically, patients either have a dramatic effect over time, such as in multiple sclerosis (MS), or Crohn’s disease; or no effect at all, and quit using LDN. Some benefit from LDN’s opioid blockade to feel less sleepy and more in tune, for focus and concentration. LDN’s effect on endorphins has a very positive effect on mood. She does adjust the timing for taking LDN and pain medications so they don’t interfere with each other.
Conditions Dr. Carnahan has treated include any autoimmune disease, MS, Crohn’s disease, colitis, pain syndromes, mood disorders and depression, weight loss, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). She is aware of studies using LDN for ovarian cancer.In addition to prescribing LDN to calm the immune system, Dr. Carnahan looks for underlying triggers to address such as gut dysbiosis, toxic exposure, or hidden infection. Opioids, such as morphine or oxycodone or other drugs that help with pain, block bowel motility and cause constipation. Sluggish bowels lead to a build-up of bacteria in the gut and creates problems like SIBO. LDN helps with the migrating motor complex in the small bowel and assists with motility in patients with SIBO.
Dr. Carnahan uses supplements as tools, so for example patients with gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn’s, colitis, or SIBO, are on some antimicrobial herbs such as garlic, oregano, caprylic acid, or undecylenic acid; as well as fish oil, and a basic vitamin D, and a multi-mineral vitamin. Patients with an autoimmune condition may be on things like curcumin, resveratrol, alpha-lipoic acid, and other things that support the mitochondria and inflammation.
More than pills and supplements, Dr. Carnahan values food as medicine, and thinks the foundation of any good treatment is good, wholly-organic unprocessed food. Most of her patients with autoimmune diseases are on gluten-free, dairy-free, alcohol-free, and sugar-free diets; and some are completely grain-free. She notes that most people with autoimmune diseases do much better on a gluten-free diet. She finds that the processed grains affect bowel disorders and some of the dysbiosis, or abnormal bacteria or candida in the gut. She understands that in the United States most grains are highly contaminated with mycotoxins from mold that damage the gut, and a lot of people are very reactive to that. In addition, our corn, soy, and wheat are all processed with glyphosate and Roundup, which are extremely toxic to cell permeability into the immune system and blood stream. Europe does not allow genetically modified foods, which are a huge source of those chemicals.
Linda Elsegood related that she has been gluten, dairy, and sugar free for over 6 weeks and has lost 10 pounds, and her need for antacid tablets for reflux has gone. Dr. Carnahan survived breast cancer surgery, radiation and chemotherapy at age 25; and about a year later was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. She takes LDN and finds it extremely helpful; and she has been completely grain free for over 10 years.
Dr. Carnahan’s blog has information from research at a level patients understand, as well as references to articles for the patients’ clinician. On her website are several free resources such as a monthly newsletter, recipes, and other interesting things.
Normally, Dr. Carnahan prefers to see patients in person for the first visit, after which Skype or phone follow-ups are available. She has made exceptions for patients who are really sick or unable to travel, and can do the first consultation by Skype. Her patients are from all over the United States. Her website is https://www.jillcarnahan.com/
Summary from Dr. Jill Carnahan, listen to the video for the show.
Keywords: LDN, low dose naltrexone, autoimmune, multiple sclerosis, MS, Crohn’s disease, colitis, pain, mood disorders, depression, weight loss, ovarian cancer, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, SIBO, pain, opioids, gut dysbiosis, toxic exposure, garlic, oregano, caprylic acid, undecylenic acid, fish oil, vitamin D, multi-mineral vitamin, curcumin, resveratrol, alpha-lipoic acid, gluten-free, dairy-free, alcohol-free, sugar-free, mycotoxins, glyphosate
