Are you using 'intermittent therapy' with your LDN regime?

[Guest guest]

Just read this from the excellent http://www.msrc.co.uk site. Are

the long term users doing this? I did wonder about whether the body

could develop tolerance to LDN, though hadn't seen anything on the

web. I wonder also whether long term usage of LDN could trigger a

more normal, or higher production of endorphins.

http://www.msrc.co.uk/downloads/LDNWEBINFOPACKmar05.doc

" Intermittent Therapy: When a drug is used for a prolonged period of

treatment, even at the very low dose as used in this circumstance,

it remains possible that the body will slowly adjust to the

continuous presence of the drug, when the response to that drug will

eventually diminish. This process is referred to as

*accommodation*, when the body eventually develops a tolerance to

the drug.

In addition, as a result of this process of accommodation,

continuous use of a drug will also create a situation of

dependency. In this circumstance, what was previously considered to

be a normal state of physiological activity (in this case, the level

of brain endorphins produced) will become dependent upon the

continuing presence of the drug.

To prevent this situation developing, and contrary to the advice

suggested by Dr Bihari, it is considered advisable to use a form of

*intermittent therapy*. Initially, the suggested routine was to

take the naltrexone each day for three weeks, after which treatment

was stopped for one week. It now appears however that this method,

in some patients, permits a significant level of deterioration

during the untreated period.

Current advice therefore is to *take the treatment for ten days,

after which it may be appropriate to take a break of two days*.

This pattern of intermittent use will allow the body, during the non-

treatment period, to readjust back to a normal state of activity so

that when the drug is reintroduced once again, it will have a

renewed and enhanced effect, thus maintaining the therapeutic

benefits.

Thus, *after the introductory first month of treatment at 3 mg*, if

there are no excessive problems with this dose, *take two weeks of

the 4.5 mg capsules to establish the level of response at this

dose. It would then be appropriate to stop treatment for two days,

after which therapy is continued with ten days on and two days off

in a regular repeating pattern of use*. Some patients prefer to

take just a one-day break on the same day each week.

It is anticipated that this method of use will reduce the risk of MS

relapse following temporary or prolonged withdrawal of the drug for

whatever reason.

This method has been tested with, in most cases, no apparent

increase in MS symptoms during the period of non-treatment.

When starting the treatment please report any untoward or adverse

side-effects immediately so that the treatment process may be re-

assessed and, if necessary, modified. "