Low Dose Naltrexone

[Guest guest]

I've been diagnosed since 2002 with RA, Crohns, Ankylosing Spondylitis, fibro, chronic fatigue. Have taken nearly every known pharmaceutical drug (typically prescribed) for these diseases and only achieved short term help. The last drug, Orencia landed me in the hospital with horrible side effects. The worst drug I took was pred. During this period of time I was covered pretty well by the health insurance I had. The events that changed this ongoing love hate relationship with the treatment changed in the last year.First I was divorced because when you have autoimmune - other than some deformed hands to show your illness, I don't always look as horrid as I feel. My husband couldn't cope with the depression, anger and ups and downs in my health. Divorce caused me to lose my health insurance

through him and I went on medicare, and that was the end of low copays for treatment. In fact the copays had approached the cost of rental on a nice home!! I went to an ND and changed my diet, lost weight. Tried some inflammation meds over the counter that would cool the joints but was temporary. Went to bio identical hormones and in that process learned about naltrexone. There have been some exciting results for cancer and autoimmune diseases and after talking it over with my ND - started on it. Only 1.5 mg (normal is 3 mg) at bedtime. No side effects other than it can cause some insomnia at first. That's starting to get better and I understand it will resolve. My first week on it I noticed my joints weren't as painful and I can make a tighter fist in the morning. This doesn't sound like much but it's sweet relief. I count all blessings however small.I don't know if this will work but it's a chance I'm willing to take. Some of the

pharmaceutical meds I've taken are now involved in class action lawsuits so I'm thinking the natural "un FDA approved" drugs can't be any worse. The drug companies are making more money than it's possible to comprehend. The "regulation" they promise, doesn't sway me since it appears more regulation doesn't spell safety for me - just money for them. They don't like medications labeled "natural" because they don't want competition for $$ at any level. I've become "jaded" and suspicious in the time I've supported them with my hard earned $.It's good to look at ALL options and to constantly question and take control of our own health. No one has more to lose than me if I give up my health choices to anyone. Doctor's go along with the big pharmaceutical companies for a number of reasons. Sometimes there are some GREAT drugs discovered, patented and "regulated" by the FDA - other times they have limited studies and are rushed out on the market by

the BIG guys - too much money to be made. Pharmaceuticals pay for fellowships for specialists and there are financial benefits for the docs to go along to get along. It's a system that's just accepted in our capitalistic way of life. We'll see how this goes and I will report my progress.K