Guest guest Posted August 20, 2003 Report Share Posted August 20, 2003 HI JEFF, OK,SO LIN SENT YOU THIS....THAT'S OK, BUT I GOT THE SITE HERE.....SO WE HAVE ALL READ IT. DID YOU HEAR THAT, LOUD AND CLEAR....I SAID THE " SITE " . POOOOLEEEEESE, ONLY POST THE SITE, IF THERE IS SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE US TO SEE....NOT THE WORD FOR WORD. SOME OF US HAVE MS AND OUR EYES GET VERY TIRED. WITH THE SITE WE CAN READ AT OUR LEASURE AND PUT IN FAVORITES FOR LATER....SEE WHAT I MEAN?? THANKING YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. ~SALLY <jeffalan19556@y...> wrote: > Subject: DR MR LAWRENCE ON LDN USE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2003 Report Share Posted August 21, 2003 Great Info I am so glad I saw this and printed it and sent it to my doctor sure answers everything. Thanks a lot! Mira On Tuesday, Aug 19, 2003, at 14:34 US/Central, Jeff wrote: > Subject: DR MR LAWRENCE ON LDN USE > > > I Thought that everyone either on LDN or thinking about it would find > this informative.....sally > > (Dr M R Lawrence MRCS; LRCP) > > > Low-dose Naltrexone in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis > > These notes are important. It is essential that you read and > thoroughly understand them before starting the low-dose naltrexone > (LDN) treatment. > > LDN is a treatment method that has been in use in the USA since 1985 > but is relatively new in this country. Despite its claimed successful > use in America, until fully proved here, it must be considered as > experimental and that no beneficial response can be guaranteed. > > In addition, despite the fact that the drug is at a very low dose, > the absence of significant introductory or prolonged side-effects > cannot be excluded. The treatment can only be provided if these > conditions are accepted. > > Naltrexone is a drug, referred to as an opiate antagonist. Its normal > use is to treat opiate drug addicts addicted to such as heroin or > morphine. Doses used for this purpose is usually 150 mg or more each > day. > > This method was devised, and has since been developed, by Dr Bernard > Bihari, a practicing neuro-physician in New York, USA. Dr Bihari is > qualified in Internal Medicine, Psychiatry and Neurology. > > His address is 29w 15th Street, New York, New York; telephone number: > 212 929 4190. > > His website is > www.low dose naltrexone.com > > The method was first put to use, in the treatment of MS, in 1985. > > It has since been reported that those receiving this drug in the > treatment of MS, initially at a dose of just 3 mg per day, have > experienced a range of improvements, including such as: reduced spasm > and fatigue, improved bladder control, improved heat tolerance, with > improvements in mobility, sleep, pain, tremor and other symptoms. > > The two main symptoms that appear to improve most significantly are > muscle spasm and fatigue. > > The current maximum recommended dose is 4.5 mg per day, taken after 9 > pm at night. The introductory dose however, remains at just 3 mg for > the first month of treatment. > > After this period, in the absence of any introductory side-effects, > and for greater therapeutic response, the dose may be increased to > 4.5 mg/ day if desired. > > How Naltrexone Works: The benefits of this drug are apparently due to > the temporary inhibition of brain endorphins (a natural pain-killer, > produced in the brain). This results in a reactive increase in the > production of endorphins, which would expectedly result in a > reduction in painful symptoms and an increase in the sense of > wellbeing. > > In addition, increased levels of endorphins would also be expected to > stimulate the immune system, promoting an overall increase in the > numbers of T lymphocytes. This effect has been observed in Dr > Bihari's research. This increase in T-cell numbers apparently > restores a more normal balance of the T-cells such that the effects > of the disease process is reduced. > > Thus, it has been observed that, in those suffering the relapsing- > remitting form of MS, the number of relapses is reduced, and the rate > of progression of the disease is diminished. In fact, Dr Bihari's > research suggests that no-one receiving this treatment as a regular > therapy, has experienced a relapse while actually on the treatment. > Occasionally however, there may be a short-term increase in symptoms > during, for example, periods of infection or stress, arising from > previously active lesions already present in the brain or spinal cord. > > In chronic, progressive MS (either primary or secondary) there > appears to be a similar reduction in the progression of disease > symptoms. > > It must also be emphasised that a positive beneficial response to > this treatment cannot be assured or guaranteed. > > Side-Effects: When starting this therapy in the treatment of MS, the > possibility of adverse side-effects due to the drug, cannot be > entirely excluded. The likelihood of damaging side-effects is > believed to be minimal however, as the drug is used at such a low > dose. Reversible liver damage has been found to occur only in those > receiving doses greater than 300 mg per day. > > Due to the possible toxic effects of this drug upon the liver it is > required that anyone previously suffering liver or kidney problems > should report this condition before starting therapy. Due to the > extremely low dose of the drug however, this risk is believed to be > minimal. > > In addition, there may also be some initial transient, though > temporary, increase in MS symptoms. > > Experience in using this method has demonstrated most commonly, such > as disturbed sleep, occasionally with vivid, bizarre and disturbing > dreams, tiredness, fatigue, spasm and pain. These increased symptoms > usually fade and disappear within five to seven days. > > Rarely, other transient symptoms have included more severe pain and > spasm, headache, diarrhea or vomiting. These additional symptoms > would appear to be associated with the previous frequent use of > strong analgesics, which effectively create an addiction and > dependency, thus increasing the body's sensitivity to pain. > > It has also recently become apparent that some patients have > experienced additional symptoms, such as muscle stiffness or pain, > after a few weeks of therapy. This is believed to be due to an > occasional increased sensitivity to the lactose filler used in the > capsules. If this should occur, a similar preparation, using calcium > carbonate filler, may be provided as an alternative. > > The early but temporary increase in symptoms may also perhaps be > explained when we consider the manner in which this drug is expected > to work. > > Initially, MS occurs due to a reduction in the activity of the > controlling influence of the suppressor T-cells within the immune > system. During an acute relapse, the overall number of T-cells is > reduced, the normal balance of helper T-cells and suppressor T-cells > is disrupted and the damaging helper (CD-4) T-cells tend to > predominate. This is the situation most pronounced during an acute > relapse but occurs similarly, but to a lesser extent, in chronic > progressive MS. > > Under the influence of LDN there will be an expected increase in the > overall numbers of T-cells but, because the CD-4, helper T-cells tend > to predominate at this time, an increase in their numbers will > expectedly tend to increase MS symptoms. > > It is only when the numbers of suppressor T-cells effectively " catch > up " that the normal balance is restored and symptoms once again > diminish and improve. > > Contraindications and Special Precautions: In addition, because LDN > stimulates the immune system and many of the drugs routinely used by > the NHS in the treatment of MS further suppress the immune system, > LDN cannot be used in company with steroids, beta interferon, > methotrexate, azathioprine or mitozantrone or any other immune > suppressant drug. If there is any doubt, please submit a full list of > the drugs you are presently taking so that their compatibility may be > assessed. > > In addition, because LDN will also block the analgesic effects of any > opiate drugs (includes codeine, dihydrocodeine, tramadol, morphine, > pethidine or diamorphine) presently being taken, the use of LDN will > initially greatly increase the level of pain experienced. It is > therefore advisable that any opiate-like drugs be discontinued at > least two weeks before this treatment is initiated. > > 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. > > 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. The suggested routine is to take the naltrexone > each day for three weeks, after which treatment is stopped for one > week. > > 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, take > one week of the 4.5 mg capsules to establish the level of response at > this dose. It would then be appropriate to stop treatment for one > week, after which therapy is continued with three weeks on and one > week off in a regular repeating pattern of use. > > 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 no apparent increase in MS symptoms > during the period of non-treatment. > > When starting the treatment it is essential that any untoward or > adverse side-effects are reported immediately so that the treatment > process can be further assessed and, if necessary, modified. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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