Guest guest Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 I feel for you re: your husband, children, etc. So true that if you could wear on the outside what's going on inside . . . other's including family, would " get " how hard it is. Just trying to imagine how many days I would have looked similar to " hellboy " ? ugh . . . I've had RA, spondylitis fibro, etc. for several years and when I could no longer get out of my basement up the stairs . . . I went to emergency room. Were it not for that visit - who knows how long before I was diagnosed. I went through all the typical treatments methotrexate to Orencia and had " emergency room " reactions to the last biologic. The diseases took their toll on my physical, mental and a 24 year long marriage ended in divorce. I think even more than the pain was the depression. I discovered friends, other autoimmune folks are key to surviving this. You need to find resources like this group that you can vent and find compassion and understanding. I finally found my way to a naturopath and am doing so much better. Taking a drug called naltrexone. It's FDA approved but not for autoimmune - it was given to alcohol and drug users to get them sober and clean. For those purposes it's given in high doses. For autoimmune it's given in low doses. I'm taking 3.5 mg every night. Have been on it for 3 months and the results are SO amazing. I don't know what the numbers are re: success rate. All I know is there has been no side effects (which is typical) and the benefits are a God send. I seem to be getting better every day. Yes I have days where I'm sore but the difference is I'm not crippled. I'm following the other changes necessary . . . diet, vitamins, minerals, (fish oil), etc. The naltexone works in conjunction with all of it. I'm sleeping every night (a miracle in itself). My depression has lifted without anti-depression medication. No pain meds except for an occasional ibuprofen. I would urge you to talk to your MD about low dose naltrexone. Keep in mind that the pharmeceutical companies like your business . . . naltrexone is not a big money maker for them and as such, your docter may or may not want to discuss it (or may not know about it). Your insurance company may not cover it . . . I pay for it out of pocket because it's not that expensive. It's gaining in popularity and more and more physician's are learning of the good benefits for their patients. Sometimes we have to take control of our health and look around at other options. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.