BPA and BPA-free are both health disasters (LDN, low dose naltrexone) from LDN Research Trust on Vimeo.
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Radio Show interviews, and Presentations from the LDN 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 Conferences
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Marsha from Canada shares her experience of LDN for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) (LDN, low dose naltrexone) from LDN Research Trust on Vimeo.
Linda Elsegood: I'd like to introduce Marsha from Canada who takes MTM forms. Thanks for joining me, Marcia.
Marsha: You're welcome.
Linda Elsegood: how old, were you when you started noticing that there was something wrong with you?
Marsha: Um, I think now that I know the symptoms of ms, um, my first episode was when I was 10. And, um, I haven't like an electric shock that went through my body, um, kind of paralyzing me, um, and that lasted for about a day.
Um, and then I didn't have another, um, inclination until I was in high school, probably 17. Um, I wasn't a dance troupe, and I always had trouble with my legs. Um, and. My coaches and stuff would just say that it was a shin splint and just from dancing and stuff. Um, and then as I got a little bit older, um, probably 24, um, I started noticing that my legs were going numb and, um, it would come and it would go, it would come and go.
And then my next episodes were probably not till I was about 30, 31. Um, and then after I had my son, um, I noticed my symptoms got worse, which I didn't know what they were. diagnosed in 1995. Um, but I've had, like I said, since I was 10, so for about 43 years,
Linda Elsegood: It's a long time. Isn't it? I wonder back then, or are you happy having not known?
Marsha: Um, yeah, it's probably better that I didn't know. I bet a young age, but yeah.
Linda Elsegood: when you first started, did you have any problems with sleep or any other side effects?
Marsha: Um, I think like the first week, um, I noticed a difference in my energy and I was sleeping.
Okay. And then, um, it's, um, it's like all my symptoms, um, kind of got worse for a little while. I would say for about maybe five or six weeks. I was just trying to, um, I guess maybe get it in my system. And, um, then after that, uh, I was, uh, going up, you know, increasing my dosage and, um, yeah, so I did that pretty slow over several months increasing my dosage.
And so now I'm on 4.5, and I've been on it for one year.
Linda Elsegood: So can we just go back and could you tell us what a day was like for you before you started LDN? What symptoms you had and how that affected your life?
Marsha: Um, well, I think mainly fatigue was the biggest battle that I had to overcome. And, um, Now I usually wake up, and I'm ready to go.
Um, sometimes I would stay in bed most of the day. Um, and I still do have the occasional days, um, because when I feel better, I usually do too much. So it's finding that balance. Um, but yeah, I, I, I have more energy now and, um, My moods are better.
Linda Elsegood: other than your mood and the fatigue, what other symptoms did you have this whole starting at the end?
Marsha: Um, I have bladder issues from my ms. And it seems to be better. Now I've also lost weight, which is an added benefit, um, that I didn't really know about, but
Linda Elsegood: well, that always has to be good. Doesn't it?
Marsha: Yeah. Oh yeah. That's a benefit.
Linda Elsegood: So how did you hear about LDN?
Marsha: You know, I think it was on.
Um, an ms. Site. Uh, somebody mentioned it and, um, it just kind of took off like wildfire. And so I, I began searching it out, and I hear good things about it. So I asked my neurologist about it, and she was not keen on it. Um, she told me to go to my regular doctor and so that's what I did. And he said that it would not interfere with any of my other medications so that it was worth a try.
And so that's what I did. And I've been on it for one year.
Linda Elsegood: What would you say to other people that are contemplating trying LDN, but maybe a bit wary?
Marsha: I would say give it a try. I would say stick with it. Um, I think it probably has to get into your system. Um, and everybody's dosage, I think, from what I've gathered is different.
So I think it's just finding what works best for you and, and, um, it's worth a try.
Linda Elsegood: Would you like to tell us what you've been able to do since being on LDN?
Marsha: Yes. Just, um, as a matter of fact, last weekend, I was able to go zip lining, which I think LDN has given me more strength in my limbs and things. And, um, it was a great time and yeah.
Linda Elsegood: That sounds like fun. If you don't mind Heights and going fast,
Marsha: it was on my bucket list. So I only live once, so I thought I better do it when I
Linda Elsegood: wonderful.
Marsha: It was fun.
Linda Elsegood: I'm so pleased that you found LDN and it's worked so well for you and a long way it continues.
Any questions or comments you may have, please Contact Us. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for joining us today. We really appreciated your company. Until next time, stay safe and keep well.
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
Raven from the US Crohn’s Disease, MS, Spondylitis and Lyme Disease (LDN, low dose naltrexone) from LDN Research Trust on Vimeo.
Raven and from the United States has been diagnosed with Crohn's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Spondylitis, and Lymes Disease.
In 1992, Raven was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, MS in July 2011 and Lymes disease the past year.. She suffered from arthritic issues from the age of 6. Symptoms she experienced consisted of body pain, issues walking, fatigue, frequent use of bathroom, dehydration and fainting.
Raven found out about Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) on a forum after speaking to someone whose husband suffered from MS and was taking the medication; so she decided to research further. After visiting multiple GPs, she was rejected a prescription due to her lack of health insurance, so went elsewhere to obtain LDN. She started taking the medication in July of 2012 and noticed improvements by the next day. She was able to walk without the use of any aid, fatigue and exhaustion had gone.
“I hope that people out there have the awareness and the wherewithal to research and not be afraid to try something so wonderful, especially since there's little to no side effects.”
For the entire interview, watch the video.
Pierre from Belgium, Ankylosing Spondylitis (LDN, low dose naltrexone) from LDN Research Trust on Vimeo.
Pierre from Belgium shares his experience with Low Dose Naltrexone and Ankylosing Spondylitis. Ten years prior to this interview Pierre suffered pain in his back which he suspected was spondylitis. His doctors disagreed and it took another four years to finally get that diagnosis. Pierre is holistically minded and treated himself with various supplements with good success but it was a lot of work, almost 40 pills a day. As time wore on he became more rigid so he researched and heard about Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN). He got his prescription and started at a very low dose and the very next day he felt an improvement. Over a couple of months, he increased his dose to 4 mg and did have trouble sleeping but that passed with time.
Although Low Dose Naltrexone did not completely resolve all of the symptoms Pierre feels that he is significantly better than he was. As he says, it can not hurt to try Low Dose Naltrexone and it is often life-changing for many people.
For more information about Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) please visit https://ldnresearchtrust.org/