Days 1 - 3 with Low Dose Naltrexone
Dr. Evans warned me that there would side effects. Strange lucid dreaming was the main complaint for most patients. I should wake up feeling refreshed and it will help with the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, CFS. LDN, when prescribed in high doses, is for those who are dependent on opiates or alcoholics. I am neither of the two but it’s also shown, in low dose, to help stop the antibody levels from rising and actually will make them fall, thus reversing the Hashimoto’s Disease. For those who are curious… my TSH level at this point in time is 6.61. My antibody level is greater than 1000. My doctor would like my TSH level down to 1.5-2 and a normal antibody level is under 35, 5 being ideal. We’ve got some work to do!
My frist night on LDN was August 29th. I took the pill at 9 PM, with no alcohol as instructed. A few hours later, I was ready to sweetly slumber. Sweetly slumber, I did not. The lucid dreams were scary. I felt like I was awake and I thought I was awake but I wasn’t and it was freaking me out. I woke up at 1AM and was terrified to go back to sleep until around 3 AM. I woke back up at 10 and said “screw sleep….who needs it!” and rolled over to take my morning T4/T3 compound. UGH. I was TIRED.
30 minutes later, I had breakfast along with my Vit. D supplement and Adrenal Support. 10 minutes later, I was ready for a nap. I pretty much refuse to nap anymore. The last thing I need is to be on a wonky schedule. I wanted to be thoroughly exhausted when it came time for the LDN. Besides, I had a handy new neuro B-12 pill to give me a little pep in my mid-day step.
That night, I fell asleep around 12 with the help of half a benadryl. At 4, I was wide awake. And annoyed. NOT NORMAL. I took a tiny piece of xanax at that point and hoped to get some good, hard sleep. Then the dog got sick so I had to take care of her until about 5:30. I was beginning to feel like I couldn’t win this game. Eventually, I was able to sleep for about 5 hours.
TONIGHT. SHOOT ME. PLEASE. At 5 o’clock this evening, I was EXHAUSTED. I had to force myself to stay awake until 9, when I’m supposed to take the pill. (something about the hours of 9-2 being some something or other…. scientific shit, ya know?) I also took a benadryl, hoping that it would make me tired enough and we could avoid the creepy lucid dreams.
Guess what? It’s 2 AM and I’m wide awake. I’ve done my guided meditation for sleep, which is like my total go to, and NOTHING. I actually heard the whole recording. TWICE. I never make it past 15 minutes.
Now, I’m sitting in my office cursing LDN. How the heck does it help with Chronic Fatigue IF I CAN’T SLEEP AND THEREFORE FEEL FATIGUED?! I don’t get it. I wouldn’t care so much if I didn’t have to be up at 9 with a full day of pool party and labor day awesomeness to attend.
Too long; didn’t read? I hate LDN. I know my body will adjust eventually but yo, I’m tired. Welcome back insomnia. Yay.