So about a month ago I posted about finding Low-Dose Naltrexone and learning about how it might be useful for relieving fibromyalgia symptoms. And it might help with my special brand of depression.
I mentioned that I had asked the pain management doctor at UCSD about trying this generic, inexpensive medicine that has minimal side-effects and she pretty much told me she’d prescribe it for me right about the time when hell freezes over.
Eh, I wasn’t going back to see her any way. She had already made up her mind about me and my fibromyalgia before she ever step foot in the exam room I was in. Let’s just say her bedside manner was lacking…so no great loss. She’s going to get her very own post on this blog one of these days. Lucky girl.
But now I have good news!! The good news is that through Crystal of Crystal’s MS, TM & LDN Website at www.crystalsmstmldn.org I was able to find a doctor (in La Jolla, of course!) that was willing to prescribe the Low-Dose Naltrexone. I had my first appointment with him yesterday. And I have to say…interesting. I knew from Crystal’s referral that he didn’t take insurance and that he was very thorough. According to the referral the first appointment would be about an hour. It was actually closer to two hours. He went through my history carefully and drew out the information that he felt was important.
Then he explained about his practice and how he was thinking of treating my symptoms. He was amazingly detailed. There’s some interesting stuff he wants to do. I’m scheduled to go in next week to try the Alpha Stim. Ever heard of that? I hadn’t. But apparently you clip something on your earlobes. And it’s useful for treating my two best friends, pain and anxiety. I’ll let you know how that goes.
He told me some more about Naltrexone. It’s used to treat a variety of illnesses, from cancer to Crohn’s Disease to Multiple Sclerosis to depression. He explained that it “modulates the immune system”…doesn’t make it go too high, too low…but just right. I felt like we were talking about Goldilocks.
He explained that LDN has very few side effects, but can temporarily cause some sleeping difficulties. I’d heard that before. And because I’ve got hard core insomnia, he is going to start me on a very low dose and work my way up. I got a phone call from the compounding pharmacy this morning confirming my order and asking for money. Because my dose is so low it’ll cost me a whopping $19 for the first month…I think that includes shipping. Whoo-hoo!
So we’re all ready to go…I just have to get off the narcotics. Yeah, just that one little detail. The grief I’ve endured because of those drugs… They helped. They really did. But between the doctors who insisted that they didn’t (see UCSD doc for that lecture) and the people who called me a druggy because they did help…well, that’s one less thing for me to deal with. And I like it!
That’s about all I got for now, folks. I hope I have positive things to report soon!
