What should the prescription read?

[nogutsnoglory]

I want to ask my doctor for 4.5 mg of low dose naltrexone. Does he just write that or does he need to put something else? Does he need to specify fillers? Or freshness? Type of capsule?

 

[nikimazur]

Any simple non allergenic filler will work, except for calcium. Calcium can block the absorption of the naltrexone. Try to go to a pharmacy that specializes in compounding, not a brand name pharmacy like Walgreens, Cvs...



http://www.thecompounder.com/altern...se-naltrexone/prescribing-low-dose-naltrexone

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Can I take a calcium supplement separately?

 

[Kev]

If your doctor looks at the clinical studies, he/she should be able to derive enough info from those, or else by contacting Dr Jill Smith at Penn State. If your doctor agrees to try you on Naltrexone, but at a lower dose than those used in the trials, demand the 4.5 mg. I don't know why, or how, the researchers behind it derived that 'magical' number, but they did. From my crude understanding of how it works, 4.5 mg triggers a rebound effect. If you opt for less, then you can probably anticipate minimal or no rebound effect. Likewise, if you took 50mg Naltrexone, it would prevent any rebound from taking place. I've heard of people (either their idea or their doctors) opting for lower doses... 3.0 mg and 1.5mg. I've never heard of any studies using those dosages, or of any one having success at those dosages. If one is fearful of some reaction... well, an allergic reaction should occur just as easily at 1.5, 3.0 or 4.5 mg... As for a toxic reaction, that should occur sooner at a higher dose... thus the earlier warned, the less potential for any long term issues. This is just guesswork on my part, I have no medical training to back it up... but I've experienced both allergic and toxic reactions, (not from LDN ever), and this was how they occured. Just in case you face opposition to the standard 4.5 mg dose. I mean, if you can get LDN, I'm sure you want to have the very best shot at making it work for you, right? Once you have the prescription, then find a pharmacy that is familiar with compounding it. If they have that experience, then you've really nothing to worry about regarding capsule type or filler (unless you are sensitive to certain things... like lactose to name one). All the best.

 

[JDTM]

Chiming in here because I'm under the impression that Jill Smith is no longer at Penn State -- I believe that one of the other forum members was informed that Dr. Smith was leaving Penn State via one of the nurses. Of course, if anyone else knows otherwise (or if you know where Dr. Smith is headed next!), please feel free to let us know!

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Chiming in here because I'm under the impression that Jill Smith is no longer at Penn State -- I believe that one of the other forum members was informed that Dr. Smith was leaving Penn State via one of the nurses. Of course, if anyone else knows otherwise (or if you know where Dr. Smith is headed next!), please feel free to let us know!

Are they going to do a phase 3 clinical trial?

 

[JoyceF]

Just thought that I would chime in here as well to say that it's always a good idea to go with a compounder that knows about LDN. I started out with it in 2002 and went to a local compounder and sure, I knew what I needed and told them specifically what I wanted. I used the, then recommended dose of 3mg and after about 6 months just did not feel it was working for my MS. I was advised by others to perhaps up the dose to 4.5mg and to switch compounders. That is when I switched to Skip's in Florida. He is a great guy and uses it himself. He compounds the LDN from pure naltrexone which I think is a plus and uses Advicil for the filler. So you see, my take on this is to use a reliable compounder.

Oh and to nogutsnoglory....not sure why you would want to take a calcium supplement but I am not sure about how this will work or not work with LDN. There are many reasons why I would not touch a calcium supplement and this would be another reason to just pass on them I guess.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Well I have arthritis and osteopenia from crohns so my docs told me to take calcium to build my bones.

 

[JoyceF]

Hi there NoGutsNoGlory. Ok, I totally understand what you are saying and believe me, that is what everyone is being told regarding their bones and how calcium capsules are what will help build them. I have done so much research into healthy living so you must forgive my comments about such things. I have come to learn in my research that it is not about taking calcium tablets but all about getting in more magnesium, silica and phosporous. I think it's easier to just say take a calcium pill but also, and I hate to say it but ignorance on the part of many doctors that don't even realize just what it takes to build bones. If I were to take calcium it would be from food such as green leafy veggies and things like that. If you listen to people like David Wolfe who is a raw food advocate they are saying to absolutely not take a calcium pill as that is nothing more than groung up rocks. I hate to start a whole thing about this here cuz the main focus is LDN. I think that if you were to see a more holistic type of doctor he would agree wholeheartedly with what I am saying. Again, I am not a doctor but someone who spends all of her free time researching things revolving around healthy habits. I swear, the more I learn the more I don't want to know...lol.

 

[nikimazur]

As long as you space out the supplement and the ldn by a few hours you should be fine. The body tends to absorb calcium pretty quickly, so as long as you give it an hour or so it's fine.