Living with an Autoimmune Disease
Autoimmune diseases can cause a multitude of symptoms that negatively affect the daily lives of millions of Americans.
Pain, inflammation, achiness, stiffness, digestive issues, and skin problems are examples of what many people live with.
This article covers some basics and then focuses on the use of Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) in autoimmune conditions.
Approximately 50 million Americans suffer from autoimmune diseases. It is estimated that 30 million (75%) of those affected are women. (aarda.org)
At Town & Country Compounding, we work closely with the patient and the practitioner to help support the best outcomes.
Schedule a ConsultationSome examples of autoimmune diseases include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Immune system cells attack the joints, causing inflammation, swelling, and pain.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus): Autoimmune antibodies attach to tissues throughout the body; symptoms can involve joints, lungs, blood cells, nerves, and/or kidneys.
- Ulcerative colitis & Crohn’s disease: The immune system attacks the lining of the intestines; symptoms may include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, fever, and weight loss.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS): The immune system attacks nerve cells; symptoms may include pain, vision issues, weakness, poor coordination, and muscle spasms.
- Psoriasis: Overactive immune activity can stimulate skin cells; symptoms may be silvery, scaly plaques.
- Graves’ disease: Antibodies stimulate the thyroid causing excess thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism); symptoms can include bulging eyes, weight loss, irritability, rapid heart rate, weakness, and brittle hair.
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: Antibodies attack the thyroid leading to hypothyroidism; symptoms may include fatigue, constipation, weight gain, depression, dry skin, and sensitivity to cold.
- Myasthenia gravis: Antibodies affect nerve-to-muscle signaling; a main symptom may be weakness that worsens with activity.
Autoimmune disease symptoms
Symptoms of autoimmune disease may be severe in some people and mild in others. Very rarely is it immediately clear if one has an autoimmune disease.
Common Autoimmune Disease Symptoms
Despite the varying types of autoimmune disease, many share similar symptoms. Common symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Joint pain and swelling
- Skin problems
- Abdominal pain or digestive issues
- Recurring fever
- Swollen glands
With some autoimmune diseases, symptoms come and go. Periods of symptoms are called flare-ups. Periods when the symptoms go away are called remissions. (healthline)
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is often difficult since symptoms overlap with many other conditions. There is not a simple, single test to diagnose autoimmune disorders. Usually, a pattern of symptoms along with blood markers helps guide diagnosis. (source)
If you are in need of a thorough checkup, an Integrative or Functional Medicine prescriber may be a good place to start. They can refer you to a specialist if needed.
Integrative or Functional Medicine Physicians
What are they and how can they help you?
How are Symptoms Managed?
Autoimmune diseases can cause a multitude of symptoms that negatively affect daily life. Pain, inflammation, achiness, stiffness, digestive issues, and skin problems are common examples.
This article covers some basics and then focuses on the use of Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) in autoimmune conditions.
Exploring the Uses of Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN)
Let our experts at Town & Country Compounding be your experts.
When dealing with pain, it is important to work with experienced pharmacists and practitioners.
Patient-Specific Approach
The key to success in using LDN is understanding that optimal dosing is ultimately patient-specific and is not dependent on a set protocol. Dosing strategies can vary tremendously. Some patients find success quickly, while others need to try a variety of strategies over time.
Therefore, it is critical to work with a prescriber or a compounding pharmacy knowledgeable in strategies that can help support success with LDN. Since we began specializing in LDN at Town & Country, we have seen a wide variety of successes that motivate us to continue helping other patients.
Town & Country Compounding LDN ResourcesLDN for Inflammation and Pain
Younger et al: The Use of Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) as a Novel Anti-Inflammatory Treatment for Chronic Pain. Clinical Rheumatology (2014) 33:451–459 | Stanford Medical School
Objective: Review evidence that LDN may act as a novel anti-inflammatory agent in the central nervous system through action on microglial cells.
Content: Background, theory, mechanism, evidence, pain-disorder research, advantages, and disadvantages of LDN.
Evidence: Two proposed mechanisms of action:
- Brief blockade of opiate receptors resulting in increased endorphin production and pain relief
- Brief blockade of non-opiate receptors (TLR receptors) reducing microglial activation and inflammatory factor production
Conclusion: The totality of the basic and clinical research suggests LDN is a promising approach for chronic pain conditions thought to involve inflammatory processes.
LDN for Fibromyalgia
Younger et al: Fibromyalgia Symptoms are Reduced by Low-Dose Naltrexone: A Pilot Study. Pain Medicine 2009(10):663–72 | Stanford Medical School
Objective: Pilot clinical trial to test possible benefits of LDN for fibromyalgia symptoms.
Population: Ten women meeting criteria for moderate to severe fibromyalgia and not taking an opioid medication.
Intervention: Placebo-controlled, single-blind crossover evaluating 8 weeks of 4.5 mg naltrexone (LDN), with a two-week placebo lead-in.
Results: During placebo, symptoms were reduced by 2.3% from baseline. In the drug condition, symptoms were reduced by 32.5%.
Six out of ten patients were responders (30%+ symptom reduction over placebo).
Conclusion: LDN shows promise as a well-tolerated therapy for fibromyalgia in women.
