DevotedToHope: Has anyone had positive results from Low Dose Naltrexone / LDN ?

[DevotedToHope]

I am new.  I've read many topics on this website that are helpful.  I feel like this is the only place that understands what its like living with antidepressant long term withdrawal symptoms.  My question is:  Has anyone had help from low dose naltrexone?  I have studied this on this website, and I hear mostly negative things.  I finally got a prescription for 4.5mg LDN today but I feel I shouldn't take it due to having an adverse effect.  I've researched it helps fibromyalgia (which I have).  But I also have stopped taking Lexapro almost 3 years ago now.  6 months later, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  Fibromyalgia and protracted withdrawal symptoms are so intertwined I don't know where the difference begins or ends between the two.  I currently can handle calcium and magnesium citrate, melatonin, ashwaghanda and zinc.  Is it worth trying?  

[manymoretodays]

Hi there DevotedToHope and Welcome,

Thank you for the signature......it tells a lot.

 

So you stopped Lexapro at 5 mg?  Or did you go lower?

I'm sorry to hear about the fibromyalgia.  I hear it can be quite painful and debilitating.  Is it possible that is part of your WD picture?  I just wonder.   It looks like you wonder too......"so intertwined" you said.

On 11/5/2022 at 7:35 PM, DevotedToHope said:

 Fibromyalgia and protracted withdrawal symptoms are so intertwined I don't know where the difference begins or ends between the two.  I currently can handle calcium and magnesium citrate, melatonin, ashwaghanda and zinc.  Is it worth trying?  

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

BASIC SUPPLEMENT TOOLKIT

King of supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker

 

And do make sure to seperate the calcium and magnesium by 2 hours, or they cancel out each others effects.

 

Important topics about tests, supplements, treatments, and diet

 

Our topic on LDN:

Low-dose naltexone- LDN anyone

 

ashwagandha-herb-for-anxiety-stress-and-toxic-overload/

 

-supplementing-with-zinc/

 

I'm certain that you are likely more well read on some of these supplements than I am, at this point.  I stayed with some tried and true ones for me, and then just the basics.

Did you experience much improvement with any of your supplements?

We go with introducing just one new thing at a time, so that observations can be made, and it becomes clear how that one new thing is working or not working for that matter.

 

Okay, welcome again. This is your introduction/journal page where you have now introduced yourself to the community, you can ask questions here , give updates, and just keep a record of your journey.

 

And Best.  Love, peace, healing, and growth,

manymoretodays(mmt)

 

Edited November 12, 2022 by manymoretodays

[manymoretodays]

And here's some more for you to peruse on WD, and protracted WD, and some of the symptoms often associated with them, and patterns of healing:

 

 

Brain Remodelling

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

-protracted-withdrawal-or-paws-post-acute-withdrawal-syndrome-how-long-does-it-last/

 

-protracted-withdrawal-syndrome-after-stopping-antidepressants-a-descriptive-quantitative-analysis-of-consumer-narratives-from-a-large-internet-forum/

 

Dr.Glenmullen’s withdrawal symptom list.

 

What are your symptoms DTH, if you don't mind saying?  I just see "crazy wd symptoms" in your signature and then the fibromyalgia. 

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

When we take medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made.  The CNS likes stability. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur.

 

And best,

mmt

Edited November 12, 2022 by manymoretodays
? on symptoms

[DevotedToHope]

I stopped taking 5mg Lexapro January 3, 2020.  That's the lowest dose I tapered to and quit.  It took a year to taper from 20mg but I now read from this site that I should have tapered smaller amounts.  Wish I would have known.

 

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 6 months later after quitting Lexapro.  That flare up rocked my world.  Prior to 2020, I was running 20+ miles a week for a couple years.  Since quitting Lexapro, I can barely walk around my large yard once.   I can't help but wonder, if people who quit antidepressants, then get withdrawal symptoms, get fibromyalgia. Or is protracted withdrawal symptoms the same thing as fibromyalgia?  Doctors say there's not much they have figured out about fibromyalgia.  Maybe this is a lie?  And don't really want to let the public know fibromyalgia could be a result from taking AD.  Maybe there is no correlation and I'm just paranoid but I like to figure out why I got so ill and fibromyalgia. 

 

January 2020- My withdrawal symptoms happened immediately after quitting.  I thought I was losing my mind.  Brain zaps, dizziness, seeing things that weren't there, tiredness, insomnia, overall feeling something is wrong with me, my brain felt swollen, didn't enjoy being in public or even around friends/groups.  Couldn't drive.  Huge anxiety.

 

July 7, 2020- Flare up.  I couldn't use my arms or legs, like they were extremely heavy and I couldn't tell my brain to tell my arm to move.  My speech was slow, slurred and I whisper talked.  I would stare and stare and stare.  I would sit outside under layered blankets and still be freezing cold (in July).  My legs and arms had muscle spasms that my kids video recorded on my phone.  Crying spells.  No appetite.  Couldn't go anywhere.  dizziness.  Needed help going to the bathroom, like getting there.  depressed and anxious.  And very scared.  By this time, my brain zaps were decreasing....but that flare up!  Lasted a whole month.  Went to Rheumotologist end of July and they said fibromyalgia.  

 

Since then,  I've had a few more flare ups but not as bad or as long.  Can plan them around seasonal changes.  Or high stress situations.  Without the flare ups, my day to day life is changed by AD withdrawal symptoms.  Appetite is gone, lost weight.  Brain pressure that comes and goes.  bouts of dizziness.  IBS.  Chronic gastritis.  TMJ.  The worst anxiety I've ever had and I've always had anxiety since I was a little girl.  This anxiety is quite extreme.  In and out of depressive states.  Extreme fatigue.  Brain fog.  My skin itches at night.  Tinnitis.  Agoraphobia.  Can't drive.  headaches!  Heart palpitations.  I get the waves and windows.  Burst of energy, realization that I feel better, then it changes suddenly.  

 

This is why I ask the question about LDN.  Could it help the fibromyalgia but make the withdrawal worse?  

 

I have 4 children that need me and I'd love to be back to the mother I'm supposed to be.  Thank you for the threads you sent me.  I read everything I can get my hands on!

 

 

 

 

[manymoretodays]

Thanks for giving us more information around your specifics DTH,

 

On 11/13/2022 at 12:54 PM, DevotedToHope said:

This is why I ask the question about LDN.  Could it help the fibromyalgia but make the withdrawal worse?  

 

I wish I knew.  I don't.  It's not one of the usual things that we are qualified to answer, or have enough information on for you.

So maybe someone will come by with some references, or more information for you.

I don't know where else you may have been to seek more information.

I'd suggest posting in the LDN topic.  You might get something there back.

And/or trying to see if there is any FB group or other around your main question.

 

I'm hopeful, of course I always am(well mostly always)......that this is purely a WD situation.......and that you may see improvement without further additions of herbs, or LDN, or anything potentially unknown as to the risks. 

We are harm reduction here, and so go easy on trials of unknown just how it works, or if there is long term help from something.......and most of all that it won't create further harm.

In other words, do your research.  I'm sure you have.

 

3 years out, or off now of Lexapro.......me, I wouldn't try a reinstatement of that.  And I did not give you a link to our reinstatement topic, so will do that today.

About reinstatement and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms(especially the first post in topic, have a look at, let us know your thoughts)

you could if you thought it might offer relief, even a smidgen, try citalopram rather than escitalopram(Lexapro), and at just a wee amount, like 1 mg maximum.  To possibly help with WD.

 

Me, I'd go with just some of the tried and true now, as far as WD goes, or protracted withdrawal syndrome. 

Consider yourself highly sensitive now, and go easy, real easy with trials of anything beyond omega 3's(fish oil) or magnesium, or other drugs or herbs or massive vitamins.

Man, you've had some scary symptoms.......I've read.  Is there a conclusive test for fibromyalgia?  Or is it a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning they have not found anything else to explain your symptoms with testing and such......and so that leads them to the fibro diagnosis.  Or do they just look at your symptoms, and because they fit the diagnosis........go with the fibromyalgia diagnosis.......or it fits.........  Hopefully that makes sense.

We don't do medical here, just support around tapering and WD.  I mean you fit for us.  That's why I'm saying I don't know, on your fibro.  Because I don't.  It's not in our......what we deal with here.

 

I'm guessing you've searching and found fibromyalgia groups already?  FB or other?

 

You will Devoted, get back to where you are the mother you want and need to be.  You will.  I don't get it either.......why.....the hardship.......that.......we......so .......many of us.......do live through.....???  Most often though, I believe we get back.  To ourselves and who we are meant to be.  Just encouragement......and hope.

 

Best, L, P, H, and G,

mmt

[Escitalopram21]

@DevotedToHope

Hello how are you? Did you try the LDN?

[LostInCanada]

@DevotedToHope your symptoms sound like withdrawal to me. I've had and still have many of those listed. My husband has fibromyalgia. There is no definitive test, just the doc going on the symptoms presented. Since doctors are totally unaware of withdrawal I could see why the diagnosis. For my husband, they wanted to put him on SSRIs...no thx. He has never been on them and never will. He has made the decision to stay drug free and pace himself. Many of the self-care strategies for WD and fibro are the same. How are you doing?

[LorraineS]

I have been using low dose naltrexone for about a year and 1/2. I first heard of it from dr Kelly Brogan who uses it to help patients taper. I was one year into a hellish taper when I started it and it made it so much easier and reduced all of my symptoms by 80-90%.
I take 4.5 mg.

[Ariel]

@DevotedToHope

Hi Devoted,

How are you doing?

How are the WD and fibromyalgia symptoms these days?

Did you ever try LDN, and if so, how did it go?

Thinking of you and sending healing vibes,

Ariel