RE: Re: What's a fair trial of LDN

[Guest guest]

Totally agree Francie. My mother became psychotic after several sequential doses of cortisone. She had to be admitted to a psychiatric ward for 6 weeks. The psychiatrist said “psychosis is a frequent side effect to cortisone’. Trish To me, a fair trail of LDN is whether she feels good on it. Period. There is not a time limit, or a magic answer.I started LDN because I lost my insurance and could no longer buy the Copaxone at $2600 per month. It obviously was NOT working as my symptoms were progressing. I got an MRI every 5 years and the only thing getting better was the technology and focus of the machine (have you looked at early MRI's :-)Anyway, I was fortunate enough to find LDN and found relief of my symptoms. Do I have fluorescing lesions? Who knows. Remember, I have no insurance. What I DON'T have is MS symptoms like I used to. What do I care if I have MS as long as I don't suffer the symptoms? And what do I care what the MRI machine thinks. I am the one who has to live my life.So just what magic drugs are they offering to replace the LDN that has stopped her symptoms? There aren't any.For me? I would not take the steroid treatment. Are you kidding? Just to cure the MRI film? Just to make sure that she does not get a more serious lesion? This is insanity, and I am glad that your gut is telling you that the advice is not sound. Pred leads to major organ deterioration and osteo over time. This is not something harmless that you take as a preventative. Jeez. Today is not my day to couch my words in soft tones. The doctor better have a very good reason to give me destructive drugs, or I would get a new doctor. Actually, maybe no doctor would be better than a bad one.I will close by quoting an exchange about steroid use from Dr. Lawrence who has MS and uses LDN to control it. You asked for alternatives to the nasty drugs that the doctor suggested, and this might be of help.*********************Dr. Lawrence's thoughts below...Another frustration is the repeated question: " What do I do if I need steroids? " My response to this is simple! You DO NOT need steroids!Because exacerbations are due to oxidative stress, usually associated with an infective, traumatic, or emotional event, the more suitable treatment is antioxidants - at high dosage! Apart from the basic antioxidants that we all know (zinc, copper, selenium, vit C, E, and beta carotene) there is a vast and increasing list of other antioxidants that may also be used: flavonoid OPCs; alpha lipoic acid, acety N-carnitine; phosphatidyl serine; etc, etc. Used athigh dosage these are as capable as steroids in reducing the intensity and development of relapses or exacerbations without the downside and adverse effects of steroids.The below is by Dr. Lawrence's assistant giving further explanation.Action to Take in MS, in the Event of a Relapse or ExacerbationWhile taking LDN, relapses of MS are much less likely to occur, but may be associated with any situation of physical or emotional stress. This should more precisely be referred to as a reactive exacerbation as, in this situation, the increase in symptoms is not directly related to a spontaneous increase in MS activity.Such stress-associated exacerbations are invariably due to some kind of exceptional circumstance that imposes an additional demand on the immune system, thus reducing the ability of the immune system to deal adequately with the disease itself. The most likely event prompting this response is either infection, injury or trauma of some kind.In this circumstance, when MS symptoms are seen to increase significantly, many MS patients will be tempted to accept the routine advice of conventional neurologists, which is to submit to a course of steroid drugs. This choice is both inappropriate and ill-advised.Steroid use in any auto-immune disease, such as MS, will have a strong adverse effect by suppressing both the immune system and adrenal function. Thus, when these drugs are stopped, these reactions will result in an increase in both the risk of further relapse, and the rate of disease progression. In addition, when steroids are used, it will become necessary to stop taking the LDN, further disrupting the level of disease stability.Thus, if a relapse should occur, for whatever reason, the most important action is to continue the LDN without a break.In addition, the nutrient therapy, which is also effective in protecting and promoting the function of the immune system, should be continued at optimum levels.Because relapses of MS are related to what is referred to as oxidative stress, the most effective therapy will be the antioxidants.These nutrients will therefore include, most importantly, zinc and copper, at the dose required by the zinc taste test; and all the routine antioxidants (selenium; vitamin C; vitamin E, and beta carotene), at optimum dosage. This will mean doubling the dose beyond that considered appropriate for routine use. Thus, doubling the dose will provide vitamin C, 2000 mg; vitamin E, 800 international units; selenium, 400 mcg; beta carotene, 30 mg.Vitamin D and EPA fish oil will also be required within this overall therapeutic context.The anthocyanidins too are very effective antioxidants, permitting the recycling and re-use of both vitamin C and vitamin E within the body.Anthocyanidins, otherwise known as oligomeric pro-anthocyanidins, or OPCs, are plant derived flavonoids that have a powerful antioxidant activity.The recommended dose during a normal state of activity of the MS is between 250 and 500 mg/ day. During a significant exacerbation this dose may be increased beyond that to as much as 500 to 1000 mg/ day.Examples of anthocyanidins include pine bark extract, often sold as pycnogenol. As a patented product, for the modest dose provided, usually 30mg, this is relatively very expensive. Conversely, grapeseed extract is one of the cheapest flavonoids available. Others include green tea extract, and extracts from many dark-coloured seeds, such as bilberries, blueberries or blackberries.This overall method will be far more effective at controlling any increase in disease activity with no threat of further relapse, as occurs with an intense phase of treatment with steroids.>