Hate to sound like a broken record (and many/most of you are probably too young to even get that reference), but this November will make 5 years I've been successfully treating my Crohns with LDN. The absolute only side effect I have ever experienced to date was the occasional vividly detailed dream. One of my principle motivations in trying LDN was to find a 'safer' treatment in case my children should one day develop this disease (there is a genetic factor that increases the risk of them getting it). Having said that, you have to take into account that I'm a full grown male playing guinea pig Vs a child trying it. But, when one objectively compares the risks of any of the traditional meds against LDN, the comparative safety of LDN stands out. However, there are risks.
Pushing for LDN may jeopardize the doctor/patient relationship. It isn't illegal, unethical or anything along those lines for a doctor to prescribe it for a patient, but it may damage their reputation amongst their peers. Conservative doctors take a dim view of any of their fellow physicians who follow unorthodox treatment regimens.
Once you have a prescription, I would strongly urge that you follow the guidelines set out in the studies, without deviation.... unless there is overwhelming reason to deviate.
The next thing you will need is a source... a pharmacy that knows how to compound this drug correctly. Make sure you get freshly compounded pills, and follow common sense storage N handling routines... no extremes of temperature, avoid exposure to sunlight, all the same good stuff you'd do with any other prescription medication. The next step is the hardest. Stick with the program until it works, or enough time has passed to demonstrate that it categorically isn't going to work. Like every other med out there, there is a percentage of people for whom it won't work, but it is a minority.
The downside of this is that... before it starts to work, symptoms can get progressively worse. I've heard (anecdotally, on this site) that it can be combined with other drugs to lessen symptoms. Doses of less than 10mg of pred were mentioned. There may be other drugs. The argument against combining it with other meds is that, when it works, how will you know which med is causing the magic. That sounds reasonable from the point of view of a researcher; not so much when it is you, the patient, who has to tuff it out. I did it solo, and it wasn't fun. This may be food for thought to any parents who are considering it for their children. I wouldn't steer you wrong, I'm a parent too.
Final thought. When the LDN stops the disease, it can't undo the damage caused by the disease AND it doesn't make one superman/woman (bulletproof). The disease is still there and one has to act accordingly. Rest, exercise, sensible diet, frequent follow-up with doctors.... with these exceptions, when it works, life can pretty much get back to being normal. Mine has. And that was something I'd almost given up hoping would ever happen.
but, I agree that you really do need to give it some more time.
