I have been taking Low Dose Naltrexone 3 mg caps since November (15). I found out about it on a BlogTalkRadio show titled The Mary Bradley Show
This was a little known, off label use, drug that seems to have multiple uses at low doses and a specific use at 50 mg.
I just asked the VA to write a Rx for 4.5 mg for a year for me and they did, without hesitation. I was very surprised because I usually have to beg and scream to get anything that I request from them. It seems that if they suggest it, no problem, but if the patient requests it, they have to justify it a dozen ways to Sunday and then it's only a maybe.
Regardless, the primary care told me to keep a log and this I thought would be more appropriate since the medication needs to get much more attention from doctors and patients. . . . So . . .
Entry 1
Since starting the medication at 3 mg last November 2009, I have found no negative effects to this point. Remembering to take it at bedtime was a problem until I left the supply in the bathroom so that it was the last thing I see before going to bed. After taking it I lay the bottle on it's side as a message to myself that I have taken it for the night. In the morning I return it to the upright position for the new day's routing.
On the positive side . . . I have found that I don't arise as frequently in the middle of the night to urinate. At worst, I was arising almost a dozen times every night. Now I arise a maximum of 5 times, and that's a bad night.
Additionally, my wife, son, daughter in law and grand daughter all had the flu or cold at about the same time . . . I never got sick. This was surprising to me because I have an autoimmune condition and would expect to be the most vulnerable. Obviously, I can't give LDN the credit for avoiding the flu but I thought it worth mentioning because it was my observation.
One observation should be noted and it may or may not be associated with LDN. I have found myself nodding off when stationary. This has never happened before and it only started after Christmas 2009. It could be nothing, it could be a side effect of high blood pressure medication or it could be my adapting to the LDN and the effects of the high blood pressure medication.
I mentioned it to my primary care and she said that it was probably the high blood pressure medication. Regardless the cause, I find it very pleasant and if I could get away with it, I might want to invoke the nodding off when my wife is rumbling on about nothing important or when my granddaughter gets over active.
January 9. 21010
