Fibromyalgia is a debilitating condition that can severely impact the quality of life of those affected. A study done in 2013 followed over 3,000 fibromyalgia patients and it was noted that over a span of 11 years, patients found very little change in their symptoms of fatigue, pain and overall quality of life.1 But now people are turning to Low Dose Naltrexone to combat their Fibromyalgia and other autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, crohn’s and irritable bowel syndrome.7–10.

What is Low Dose Naltrexone?

Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) comes from the medication Naltrexone which is an opiate-blocking medication. When Naltrexone is prescribed in doses of 50–300mg, it helps treat opiate and alcohol addiction. When prescribed at very low doses (1.5 to 5 mg) LDN reduces pain and symptoms related to autoimmune diseases. It does this by two mechanisms:2–4

1. LDN increases the release of endorphins (the body’s natural opiates)

2. LDN reduces inflammation in the central nervous system.

Clinical research has shown that inflammation occurring around the nerves in one's brain and spinal cord is a major component in acute pain becoming chronic pain. Getting rid of this chronic pain is a difficult part for those with fibromyalgia.

How Does LDN Therapy Work for Fibromyalgia Related Pain?

LDN treatment works with receptors in the brain and spinal cord. Glial cells are immune cells which encompass nerve cells and usually remain dormant until triggered.5 As signals related to pain become chronic, glial cells are activated and begin to release inflammatory chemicals. The inflammatory chemicals disrupt the nerve cells around them and trigger them to become hypersensitized to pain.2–4

In family practice, medications such as Pregabalin (Lyrica) and Gabapentin (Neurontin) are prescribed in order to quiet the pain nerve signals down. Unfortunately, because the nerves are still being bombarded with inflammatory markers being released by the glial cells, these medications are only partly effective.

Consequently, the best way to reduce pain is to get the glial cells to become dormant again; and this is where LDN therapy comes into play. LDN works on glial cell receptors triggers them to become dormant and subsequently stop releasing inflammatory chemicals. This then tells the nerve cells to slow down with pain signaling.

Studies on LDN Therapy & Pain

In two studies done at Stanford University, LDN reduced fibromyalgia pain, with 57% of the participants reporting a significant (1/3) reduction of pain.2,3,6 Patients reported that they found

LDN easy tolerate and side effects were minimal and tolerable. Side effects were: headache, vivid dreams, dry mouth.

Where Do I Get Low Dose Naltrexone in Canada?

LDN has to be made by a compounding pharmacy and it cannot be prescribed to patients using opiate medications. This is because it may induce withdrawal or counteract the pain relief of opiates.

Seeking Low Dose Naltrexone in Toronto? If you are looking for LDN Therapy for an autoimmune disorder, contact Arv Buttar (Nurse Practitioner) at info@healthbyarv.com.

Arv Buttar is a Family Nurse Practitioner with a specialty in Low Dose Naltrexone Treatment in Toronto. She sees patients diagnosed with various autoimmune disorders. Her Clinic is located in downtown Toronto. It is easily accessible to the surrounding GTA (Brampton, Mississauga, Burlington, Oakville, Etobicoke, North York, Richmond Hill, Milton, Markham, Barrie, Newmarket, Scarborough).

References:

(1) Eur J Pain. 2013 Apr;17(4):581–6. Longitudinal patterns of analgesic and central acting drug use and associated effectiveness in fibromyalgia. Wolfe F. et al.

(2) Biomedicines. 2017 Jun; 5(2): 16. Reduced Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines after Eight Weeks of Low-Dose Naltrexone for Fibromyalgia. Parkitny L., Younger, J.

(3) Clin Rheumatol. 2014 Apr;33(4):451–9. The use of low-dose naltrexone (LDN) as a novel anti-inflammatory treatment for chronic pain. Younger J., Parkitny L, McLain D.

(4) Med Sci Basel. 2018. Dec;6(4): 82. Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) — Review of Therapeutic Utilization. Toljan K, Vrooman, B.

(5) J Neuroimmune Pharmacol. 2013 Jun; 8(3): 470–476. Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Using Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN). Chopra P, Cooper, M.S.

(6) Arthritis Rheum. 2013 Feb;65(2):529–38. Low-dose naltrexone for the treatment of fibromyalgia: findings of a small, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced, crossover trial assessing daily pain levels. Younger J, Noor N, McCue R, Mackey S.

(7) Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. 2016 Jan-Dec; 2: 2055217316672242. Long-term treatment with low dose naltrexone maintains stable health in patients with multiple sclerosis. Ludwig, MD et al.

(8) Safety and Tolerability of Low-dose Naltrexone Therapy in Children With Moderate to Severe Crohn’s Disease: A Pilot Study. Smith JP, Field D, Bingaman SI, Evans R, Mauger DT.

(9) Dig Dis Sci. 2006 Dec;51(12):2128–33. Low-dose naltrexone for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a pilot study. Kariv R, Tiomny E, Grenshpon R, Dekel R, Waisman G, Ringel Y, Halpern Z.

(10) Dig Dis Sci. 2011 July ; 56(7): 2088–2097. Therapy with the Opioid Antagonist Naltrexone Promotes Mucosal Healing in Active Crohn’s Disease: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Smith, J et al.