I have researched LDN for weeks now and have been prescribed some after 44 years of ME/CFS/Fibro. Your title for this video made me avoid it because I thought you were not happy with it and didn’t want to be discouraged. Delighted to see you so well. Thank you.
I'd take it if I were you .. I was skeptical but I said f it I was drinking bad and out o control soon as I popped just a half I felt like my life was changing for the better I stopped craving alcohol so bad my pain is damn near gone from my accident ect
I agree with slickone's advication. LDN (IMO) has no side effects and only benefits for folks with modern diseases. I take LDN just for anti aging as a premanent nutrical.
She also made a vid exclaiming how beneficial it was for her. She is only stopping now because she is better and doesn't want to be taking any drugs. She doesn't realize LDN works more like a nutritional supplement than it does a drug. In that it corrects an insufficiency in endorphins with complete safety. More info... >>> ohbaby's substack
I want to share my experience with chronic illness, and that like you, working directly with nervous system regulation was the most helpful thing. I was extremely ill for many years, and I never took any medications. I did work with many natural health practitioners and did extensive ozone therapy, but was still incredibly ill. Eventually, I found Craniosacral therapy, and somatic therapy to help with my nervous system, and was able to almost completely heal, and went on to study those modalities and have now become a practitioner who specializes in nervous system health and supports others healing from chronic illness to support their nervous system. However, I wasn't fully 100% recovering, despite my in-depth understanding of and capacity to support my nervous system regulation. I decided to try LDN after having refused to take medication throughout my entire healing journey, and it has allowed me to decrease the neuro-inflammtion in ways that the other modalities weren't. So we sort of did things the opposite way. I share this to also name that sometimes the natural way also won't get someone all the way to the other side, and I now fully believe in this medication as an ally, of course as an adjust not a substitute to the natural nervous system support
My niece got very sick after her second HPV vaccine. We never made the link until recently. She has a damaged CNS and CFS. We’re now questioning medications and vaccines much more. Rare disease isn’t so rare anymore
This is sad. As a Nurse since 1975 the increase in vaccines is crazy. I never took a flu shot or any inj. We have 2 immune systems When I was growing up there were no vaccines so I got measles, mumps, chicken Pox. Childhood illnesses.
LDN is a tool to assist healing a body that’s out of balance. That’s amazing that it took you far enough to no longer need it. What an encouraging message. 🙏🏻 Diet is also a vital factor that needs to be addressed for optimal health.
This is awesome to watch cause I remember finding your RUclips channel when you first started taking LDN and now you don’t even need it and you’re glowing!! LDN made me realise how much I was in fight or flight mode cause it suddenly chilled out a little so I feel like it pointed me in the right direction 😅
Perfect timing. I've been putting LDN off for several years now. Just had a consult with a new Dr and he also suggested LDN. So I'm gonna give it a try. For some reason I just can't get Brain Retraining to click for me. I'm over thinking everything. Hopefully this will start to lower my flight fight response so BR can work better. So happy to see you healing.
Your approach makes perfect sense to me at 65 years of age I am on no medications at all and that confuses people , they look at me as if I am strange , no not really I just don't take medications just to take them , I had a Mother that did that for 70 years and it didn't work out well for her either ! So, good for you I am happy that you recovered and moved on with your life and you look happy and well, God Bless You !
Your videos finally gave me the courage to take my first dose of LDN. I've been dealing with long covid for nearly two years and while my body is slowly recovering there are some persistent symptoms that interfere with my life. Thank you for the videos and encouragement.
Something to consider…the medical colleagues of Dr Bernard Bihari (the physician that discovered that low doses of naltrexone enhanced the immune response) went on LDN after learning of its healing abilities, and none of them were chronically ill. These colleagues were Dr Bihari’s best friend since medical school, and that friend’s entire family, who were all doctors. The article I read explained that they felt that LDN was a protective substance that they would likely be on for life.
For those taking it or looking to take it, make sure it's compounded - compounding pharmacy. And, make sure you are getting ACTUAL diagnoses too...knowing the roots is important. LDN doesn't just help the nervous system, but brain inflammation in general from strokes, concussions, etc.
How wonderful Rachael! So happy for you and your new body :) I took LDN for 3 months and then depression stared getting stonger and stonger out of no where. I finally had to stop taking it to my disappointment. :(
Unfortunately, some people doesn’t have that choice that you made due to the fact due to their chronic pain/illnesses, but I commend you for coming off your medication’s but there’s a lot of people that can’t do that for several reasons, in which,, you already know, you can’t take LDN in the morning versus at night and it doesn’t make everyone sick that takes it. God bless you
Congratulations on no longer needing any medications! I just started taking a super low dose of LDN for my severe CFS. I’m hoping that as I build up my dosage it can help me manage my symptoms a bit better. Thank you for sharing and giving me hope that healing is possible. I’ve been in a deep pit of depression for a while because I’m struggling to improve health wise and continue to decline instead. I’ve been thinking of you and others who have healed, and how before you never would have believed that you would be where you are today. It gives me some hope.❤ Enjoy your trip!❤
I am onLdn month 4 at 4.5mg, its not knocking out my chronic fatigue syndrome but my stomach has healed almost 100%. All the pain patients told me it takes 6 months to fully adress chronic pain and 9 months to suppress autoimmune desieses, so I am almost 1/2 way there with the cfs symptoms. I hate the fatigue and overall body achyness so much.
@@jamiehowington3 Same the fatigue is a huge killer, it is so awful it’s painful! I stopped taking it because I’m going to different doctors, and we are trying to figure out what chronic illnesses I have besides ME first. Good to know it takes time to work though so thanks for that!😊
@@penelope9649 Fatigue wise? Not really. I’m on it again and since this comment I’ve been diagnosed with POTS and suspect MCAS, IBS, fibromyalgia, and EDS. It’s helped my muscle aches some. It maybe helps me not crash as much and as hard, but I’m still bedridden 95% of the time. It does make a big difference for some people with ME/CFS. It usually has no side effects and if you do get any you can just stop taking it. I would definitely try it. Just don’t expect a major difference in your severity.
@@penelope9649 Fatigue wise? Not really. I’m on it again and since this comment I’ve been diagnosed with POTS and suspect MCAS, IBS, fibromyalgia, and EDS. It’s helped my muscle aches some. It maybe helps me not crash as much and as hard, but I’m still bedridden 95% of the time. It does make a big difference for some people with ME/CFS. It usually has no side effects and if you do get any you can just stop taking it. I would definitely try it. Just don’t expect a major difference in your severity.
I have followed you for a while, and when I was researching LdN, your video was one of the videos that had me ask my doctor about it and get on it. I’ve been on it for two years, and that in combination with B12 injections was the two things that worked to pull me out of the severity of my conditions, which are chronic fatigue, syndrome, and fibromyalgia Mcas and 4 severe that conditions. Before I even got sick with all of these things, I had already been lactose, free, gluten-free and low, inflammatory diet exercise, took my vitamins and supplements and tried to minimize stress. I have tried to get off of the L B,N and I do notice that my symptoms flare up but not as severe so my functional medicine doctor agreed that it would be good for me to just lower the dose a little bit and stay consistent with it for a while for my personal situation, but I have all of these conditions in a lot more going on than even the things I’ve mentioned. For me, it may be a very long-term medication at extremely low-dose, because of the other benefits that it has for my personal conditions. That being said, I do plan to try again in the future as I get to a few more of the causes, that I am slowly and traveling through endless research and perseverance. I am so so so happy for you. I pray that you feel awesome for the rest of your life.!!
I think the aim to be medication free is nice, but my view is that my body has an imbalance, and that imbalance may not be within my bodies power to actually reverse. I have been taking one medication for 6 years now, and every time I have tried to go off it, my brain fog rockets back in, and I sleep 14+ hours a day. So at this point, I’m at peace with the fact that I might need it indefinitely. I know how it affects me pretty well and I know it gives me huge quality of life, so I’m happy to have the partner in this fight. I don’t know at this point if LDN will be a permanent member of my team, but the results in the 2 months I’ve been taking it have been incredible so, if it is, that’s ok with me too
Congratulations on regaining your health! This gives me a lot of hope. I have long Covid since July 2020, chronic Lyme, mold mycotoxins and several chemical toxicities before that. I was finding solutions and detoxing but Covid made my situation so much worse. I just started LDN .5 mg about a week ago and it is definitely messing with my sleep. Making it even harder for me to fall asleep. I’ve been going to bed at 7 am, which is very frustrating. I think I’m going to try taking it in the daytime. I hate the idea of being on any drug, long term and I totally agree with your perspective. I was hesitant to even try it but I’m really desperate to help my immune system. I have been getting flus all summer long and I can’t take it anymore. (I’m unvaxxed in case anyone is wondering). I just want to have energy and live a normal life like everyone else.
Have you already tried taking high doses of vitamin c every day, plus getting enough zinc and vitamin D, also raw garlic daily, to keep the flus away???
I also had to start taking it early in the am because if i took it at night, I couldn't sleep. It gets better with the sleep and dreams over time. I wake up at 5 am, take it and go back to bed for a few hours.
I was on LDN and it helped me a lot. I got better, went off of it, was good for a few years, then had 2 surgeries with no relief, then a TBI and now I'm trying to get back on.
I'm talking ldn for 8 years now, and I've always known that it helps me regenerate but I didn't appreciate how much it is helping me with my fatigue ( I have lupus) until I made a mistake in counting how many pills I have left and was 2 weeks without it. That was 2 worst weeks in the long long time. I had just a few left so I took 1 every 4th day. First day was good as always after taking it, second day I was feeling tired but it was manageable, third day I was feeling like I would have tones of rocks over my body, no strength at all, 4th day I had to take a nap during the day because I was so exhausted and I'm never sleeping during the day because I just simply can't unless I'm sick. And this scheme was the same 3 times so I'm sure it wasn't by accident. It really works for me as with small baby I have zero time to take care properly of myself.
So glad for you! It helps me but I started eating more and gaining weight right away. It's disappointing to FINALLY find something that helps but to feel that it will cause me other problems that I really can't deal with either.
I just went off LDN too. I also would prefer not to take any meds. Some of my symptoms have retuned, though I’m going to give it a couple weeks - think it’s just rebound withdrawal symptoms. Like you, have also been doing an animal based diet and brain rewiring and am SO much better than I was. ❤
Congratulations! Im happybto see your healing. I have pots for 3 years now, its so hard to deal with. Could you tell me what things helped you get better frm pots?
Good to see you better n better now... i saw your video after 2 years now, just to check how are you doing and knowing you are much better now gave me immense calm.
I am the same. Doctors are not helping me so I have to look for help myself. Looking to go onto LDN as I have stopped taking opioid medication which I feel is a good decision but still having pain. Have changed my diet no red meat very little sugar no food additives or colourings no gluten. I also use Cannabis oil CBD 12% THC 12% which is helping with the inflamation plus makes me sleep like a baby and wake up refreshed. What are you thoughts on medicinal cannabis for fibro?
Thank you so much! Honestly, the LDN didn't really help with my neck much. Prolotherapy, an animal-based/carnivore diet for the last 2 years, and brain retraining have by far been the most helpful things for my neck!
Hi Rachel! I just found your video and page. I have been retraining for CFS and other conditions for 1.5 years. Progress is happening, although slow. I'm considering increasing LDN (have been on a low low dose since before retraining) to see if it can help me recover along retraining. How did you find going off LDN? Did it take time for your body and nervous system to adapt?
Was there any withdrawal? I’ve heard it may help with depression but not sure if it would for CPTSD…? Seems like most SSRIs have serious side effects like brain zaps and withdraw :(.
Many congrats on your continued recovery and good health. Do you you continue with any non-prescription supplements alongside the carni diet? All the best...
Thank you so much! I don't take many supplements. Whole food vit c and magenesium are the only ones I take everyday. I sometimes do organ supplements as well.
@@HealingWithRachael Rachel, what brand of vitamin C do you recommend? Also, do you take collagen supplements? Thank you for all the information and support you provide for us 🤗
I’m about to start LDN for possible help with anxiety. You think you gained any lessening of anxiety as a result of taking it? Assuming you had some anxiety prior to starting it….thanks a lot 😊
I was at my sickest over a year after all my surgeries. Personally I don't attribute any of my healing to surgery, and if anything it has complicated my recovery. I'm planning to do a video on this in the coming months, but its something thats really difficult for me to talk about and can be triggering. It wasn't until I changed my way of eating (carnivore / animal based) and started brain retraining that I began to heal. I know my body and I know that's been the most important part of my recovery. The nervous system work especially because I notice a difference in how I feel right after. And yes, I did have MCAS! I used to get hives all over my body every day. Brain rewiring is what helped me heal from it. MCAS is a huge indicator of severe nervous system dysregulation. ❤️️
This came at a good time! I’ve just take receipt of some LDN. Thanks for sharing. Did you take it alongside prolo/PRP? Im a bit concerned it’ll block the prolo but then, if it helps the fight or flight then it could ‘help’ the prolo work?
I was already off of it when getting prolo/PRP so I'm really not sure how it would affect that. I do have a friend still on LDN that saw results with prolo. So I'm sure its possible still!
@@HealingWithRachael I'm fighting graves disease and thriad asthma, eating carnivore and avoiding stress put both in remission but eggs and dairy makes it worse, I was wondering if something like GAPS could fix it, I miss them so much.
@@fabriciooliveira3720 For me, the most helpful thing with food reactions has been brain retraining. I started with a program called DNRS. When we react to nutrient dense foods, its a sign of nervous system dysregulation. But the GAPS diet seems like a great tool as well! Cheering you on in your healing journey :)
Hey Rachel, you mentioned eating nourishing foods - what's your diet like these days? Still carnivore, or something different? Thanks for your time and for sharing your journey.
Mostly carnivore but not as strict. 90% carnivore. I’ve added in some fruit, honey, etc. And occasionally a little organic rice/potatoes. Still no ultra processed foods, seed oils, refined sugars, etc.
Unfortunately I don’t. I actually feel if anything it’s made my healing more difficult. I was at my sickest a year later. I’d do just about anything to go back and not have it but believe it was a part of my story for a reason. ❤️ Even if it’s just to show people there are other options.
@@HealingWithRachael thanks for taking the time to reply. It sounds like a long tough road but I’m really glad that you got through and are doing so well now.
I'm glad she no longer needs it. But she is being a bit disingenuous towards it. While she is right that medications do have side effects, LDN is probably one of the safest medications out there. Sleep disturbances is about it,.. as far as this drug goes. There is no nausea, or headaches, or any of the million other side effects most medications have. And the sleep thing can be avoided if you take it in the morning instead of bedtime. And/or lower the dose. And even if it does cause vivid dreams, that is a small price to pay for its benefits. There is also the belief that this might be only a temporary side effect. And one other thing, and this is huge. It works more like a nutritional supplement than it does a drug, in that it corrects an insufficiency in endorphins. LDN leaves the body in only a few of hours. But the increase in endorphins lasts all day long. It doesn't work by masking or relieving symptoms of a condition. It works by increasing something very beneficial, that your body can't do without. Just like vitamin D or magnesium or any essential nutrient. And there are a number of reasons why your endorphin levels might drop. Which in her case, was being chronically ill for quite a while. She is still young and doing better and so she might be able to do without. But as you age,.. your endorphin levels drop. Dealing with an autoimmunity, or any chronic condition will also drop endorphin levels. And low endorphins are associated with Aids, Cancer, Mortality, you name it.... Endorphins have systemic effects for so many biological systems and pathways, it makes perfect sense for it to have a wide range of benefits for a great many conditions. More on safety,.. fertility clinics give it to expecting mothers with troubled pregnancies,... and their babies are born much heathier than those who didn't take LDN. Results can differ greatly. Some have had incredible benefits using it. For me personally, not so much. It helps me only moderately with my conditions (COPD and Psoriatic arthritis). But hopefully, still guards me from my cancer ever returning. 10+ years and counting. For that reason, I will never do without. Not at my age. There are a number of clinical cases of remarkable stage 4 recoveries, documented in the published literature. More info... >>> ohbaby's substack
I have severe mecfs for decades but it has never been dx as such. I’ve suffered severe fatigue since teenage years, sleep issues since early twenties, neuropathy then severe neuropathic pain by the time I was 40. I’ve been tested for everything under the sun and I’m healthy except that I have chronic pain, chronic fatigue, severe PEM and cognitive fog. Progressively worse for the past Twenty years I can’t stand, walk, do any activity or be emotional. I have no quality of life and wish that I didn’t need to eat or tend to the issues of this body anymore let alone for another 20 yrs. It all feels so helpless however I have decided to ask my doctor if I can start on LDN. I am anxious about even bringing up the subject because I have already been told there is nothing that can be done when my test results are normal. I’m afraid that I don’t have a diagnosis to support LDN therapy or that I won’t have a good response to it. Then I will truly be hopeless and may not recover from despair.
@@Zkbbkzzz you definitely have a need for it. Pain and fatigue are reasons to take it. It should help you, and it's non toxic, mild if any side effects. Start low and go slow. Most of all give it time. You have years of issues that it will need to help with. It helped me tremendously. Im wishing you the best
@@j.a.c3813 Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. I’m reading your message late on a helpless night trying to distract my mind from the terrible despair I find myself in and my tears start to flow once again. My physician at the pain clinic here in Indiana said they don’t prescribe narcotics period and told me I should go to Mayo Clinic next. I don’t have the strength to leave my apartment how would I get to Mayo, I asked him. All alone in this world, at my wits end with no where else to turn. Thank God for you jac3813, reaching out to a stranger through this tablet like an Angel that gets me through the night.
I think there is a difference between a medicine that helps you to be able to improve things in your life vs a medicine that just allows you to cope by just dumbing everything down. My meds take my pain from a "crash" to a "slow speed train wreck". That doesnt actually help me improve in the long term. I'm still in pain, I'm less able to do the things I used to do , cuz I'm slowed down by meds so everything piles up worse than before. I'm basically mostly sitting around being afraid or unable to do anything cuz I'm already in pain or I'll have to stop in the middle when the pain comes back. I don't understand why my doctors won't acknowledge how much pain is ruining my life, I guess the opiod epidemic? but I'm hoping to get some help or else I've got no reason to keep trying to pretend to be normal. I'm hoping that becasue this medicine is not "addictive" that they won't avert their eyes and won't make tasteless jokes about drug parties if I ask for it. What is their purpose if they won't even help a person whose major complaint is pain. I'm glad to hear that you were able to use it to make other improvements in your life. I have the potential to do "better" ( doing better = being less pitiful and more like a person who used to be able to take care of themselves) but chronic illness and pain is taking it away from me more and more and no one seems to care. I'm glad there are doctors out there tring to convince others to care and to help people ACTUALLY get BETTER health and less Pain.
Hi Rachael! It is so nice to see someone document their journey. I just started LDN at .5mg and I am wondering what was your titration schedule, what dose did you end up staying at, how did you know it was the right dose (did you have have a bad reaction to a certain dose and have to go back down?), and did the vivid dreams ever go away? Last, how long in total did you do LDN? Thanks again for sharing your experience!
Hey thanks for giving us hope, so you had lyme? I think I might as well. My connective tissue has been deteriorating and I have cci. Also my cci is so bad, I might need a craniocervical fusion. I'm in bed 23 hours a day. How'd you find a doctor to perform one? Every neurosurgeon just looks at my MRi and says I'm fine.
Hi there! I'm so sorry to hear of what you've been going through. I really feel for you. Personally, if I could change one thing about my chronic illness journey it would be to not have my fusion surgery. It has complicated my recovery and still affects me everyday. For me, the most impactful things have been brain rewiring / nervous system regulation and animal-based nutrition (that's strengthened my connective tissue in a massive way). I also had prolotherapy treatments, which was helpful to accelerate my healing with my instability. But I don't attribute any of my healing to surgery! I'll try to do a video more in depth on that soon. Honestly, its still difficult for me to talk about. Truly hoping all the best for you! Keep believing healing is possible!
I have MS. My neuro., advised me to try it so I take LDN 3mg been on it 6mos. Didn't notice any results. However I read that it helps Hashimoto and I have that too
They become very vivid. Life like. Might wake you up. I once kick a wall in my sleep. I am a black belt. But you can reduce this by taking it in the morning, instead of bedtime, or reducing the dose. Say 4.5 mg to 3 mg. That's the optimal range. I don't find this bothering me anymore. Been taking it for 10+ years. More info... >>> ohbaby's substack
Great! Personally I believe an animal-based diet (mostly carnivore) for the past 2 years has significantly contributed to my recovery. All my joints have been strengthened/improving, not just my neck! :)
@@HealingWithRachaeljust finding your channel. Why did you have prp injections and are they exactly ? How and when did your symptoms begin and was the Gupta program what helped you most ? How long were you on Ldn for and what did you notice jt help wit;brain fog and cfs?
For me, by far the most helpful thing with lyme disease was brain retraining with DNRS. Personally I believe nervous system regulation is the most important thing for those with chronic lyme, as when the brain comes out of a chronic survival state, the immune system will be able to properly clear infection naturally. I treated for lyme for 1.5 years and saw a little bit of progress but very very small in comparison to brain retraining.
@@HealingWithRachaelbut Lyme dieses cant cure without treatment how did your cure its miracle for you even carnivore diet cant cure you need treatment herbal or antibiotics.i have lyme i am following carnivore 2 years yes its fantastic its help me to sleep well, brain fog its help wirh pain aches reduce inflammation now i just stared herbs for lyme before lyme i was on heavy metals detoxification via chelation and supplements u r lucky that everything cure with carnivore thats good ❤
I'm going to have to disagree with you there. I've seen so many more people recover from lyme with brain retraining than with antibiotics or herbs. Our bodies were designed to handle and clear infections like lyme, but when our nervous system is stuck in a survival crisis state, our immune systems are not functioning properly. Personally I don't believe the best approach to treating lyme is to "attack it" or kill it off, but rather improve our bodies ability to clear infection on its own. We have an innate ability to heal! P.S. Limiting beliefs can be a huge barrier to recovery, as they signal danger to the brain and perpetuate the cycle of illness. Truly wishing you all the best and glad carnivore has helped you significantly! It did for me too (much more than 1.5 years of lyme treatment did). But carnivore wasn't enough to bring my brain out of a chronic "fight or flight" state so I could truly heal.
Chronic Lyme is bs anyways. The nervous system is deregulated in cfs. I used to get nutritional ivs in Arizona which helped me off my Benzos and opiates. I have used ldn and pacing and even low doses of thc. I have been on every antibiotic both IM/IV and oral. I got some benidit from antibiotics but I think it was from their anti inflammatory effects. I alway got worse from antibiotic due to their effect on the gut over time. CNS deregulation is the key to cfs. All studies are now pointing to this.
That impossible to answer but from a pharmacokinetic level no. I am against the use of antidepressants myself. But studies do show they can be of benefit.
@@HealingWithRachael how does a carnivore diet heal adrenal insufficiency? Does it lower cortisol or increase cortisol or is it through some other mechanism?
@@RR-wy4lz It certainly could help. Healing the nervous system is really the most important thing, but what we eat really impacts the health of our nervous system too.
@@RR-wy4lz Secondary AI vs primary (Addison’s) is diff. Lowering cortisol further in either is bad. Adrenals need vitamin C for the cortex and B5 etc. High levels of cholesterol in animal fat may help temp with hormones incl incr cortisol. Be careful as hundreds of good studies showing longterm (over many yrs) neg effects of high animal protein intake. Indigenous orig ate fruits, nuts, wild greens and usually fish eggs vs poultry. Their meat intake wasn’t ours with steak or bacon but dried fish and organ meat of wild animals. This is well documented thru studies and reports. Calming the nervous system esp thru the vagus nerve is very beneficial. Sukie Baxter also has great videos for this. Good luck.
I’m sure I did, but personally I think it’s just another name for chronic illness just like lyme disease. I believe the root cause of CIRS is nervous system dysregulation, and that addressing that is much more beneficial that any sort of protocol. But that’s just my two cents!
I was diagnosed with it. And personally I believe it is 100% possible to heal from eds. In fact, I think it’s so damaging doctors tell patients it’s not possible when they certainly don’t know that! I know lots of people that are recovering from it. Not everyone will agree with me but I’m going to continue sharing the message that healing is possible. ❤️ All the best!
I'm so sorry to hear of all you're going through, and I really feel for you! Honestly the most beneficial things for my recovery (even above prolotherapy) have been brain rewiring with DNRS and an animal-based diet. Eating lots of foods rich in connective tissue has strengthened my connective tissue so much (but it has taken years, progress doesn't happen over night). I only had prolo on my neck but had joint problems all throughout my body and everything else is healing. ❤️️❤️️ Nervous system regulation, in my opinion, is the most important part of healing. I'm really hoping all the best for you and your family!!
@@HealingWithRachael it's a damaging and ableist idea that people can heal something like eds especially with all these pseudoscience things. You can heal from some of the comorbidities but that's like saying you can reverse autism, or down syndrome or dwarfism. It's the denial phase of being chronically ill, I've been there. You may be helping other issues you have but eds will not go away or be healed
Do you get that compounded or do you just cut a sliver off a shroom? I really am interested as I no longer take ldn but I still have pain from eds and menopause.
No, I’ve never claimed to. Nothing I share is medical advice. Those that did have “medical qualifications” failed to help me heal-so many others have that same story.
I’m so Happy to see you well and calm. I’m always looking forward to seeing your progress. LDN is now prescribed to many patients suffering g from Long Covid and it’s supposed to help with inflammatory process. Enjoy Norway and love from Ireland ❤
Thank you for your kind message!! I can definitely see LDN helping with long covid, as I believe the cause of it is a dysregulated nervous system stuck in survival mode. ❤️️
@@HealingWithRachaelThey are finding that a lot of people with Long Covid actually have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Dysautonomia underneath as the cause of the problems. MCAS does keep you in Sympathetic Nervous system (fight or flight side of nervous system) overdrive constantly, which causes so many problems in the gut that feed the problems in the nervous system and vice versa. It's a vicious cycle. I also always encourage people with Long Covid to look into whether they have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, because it is often the root cause of MCAS, CFS, Fibro, ME, autoimmunity and other issues. The genetic issues related to EDS (a connective tissue disorder that causes too much permeability in tissues that shouldn't have it) cause a lot of problems that lead to MCAS and other issues downstream, like CSF leaks and drainage issues, leaky Blood Brain Barrier, leaky gut that leads to chronic bacterial and fungal infections which in turn stop your body from producing the right digestive enzymes, leading to food intolerances and allergies. The ironic thing is so many foods require your body to make the digestive enzymes needed to break them down after absorbing said foods properly. When your absorption is impaired, like in EDS, your body can't make the enzymes anymore, which leads to more malabsorption, malnutrition, no matter how well you eat, nutrient deficiencies, and then your body starts to see everything it cant digest or process (even smells) as toxins and poisons, even though it's not. That contributes to the body being in constant crisis mode.
@@-living4jesus4ever- yh, still suffering from this crap one yar after...can't feel ''high' anymore, muted orgasms (-50% at least) and less desire (which makes sense as I don't get the reward)
Read the book "Super Gut" by William Davis. He shows by his research that fibromyalgia, restless leg syndrome, chronic fatigue and many other chronic illnesses are the result of an overgrowth of negative bacteria and fungus. This situation can be reversed by diet and avoidance of certain foods and food additives. I personally know three people who have transformed their lives with this information and protocol. Well worth reading his book it may transform your life.
Do you think this healing would have been possible without the c0-c2 fusion? I have nearly all the same diagnoses as you and am trying to figure out what path to take. My eds doctor is recommending not to do surgery
Personally I don’t attribute any of my recovery to my fusion surgery. If anything it’s made it more complicated and brought complications. I was at my sickest a year after surgery. I’d do anything to go back and not have it but I do believe it was a part of my story for a reason. Even if just to show people there are other paths to take.
Wouldn't touch that again, I have no desires in life period anymore, I quit many months ago n just getting where I can cry over movies or sad shit. My lil bro died of an overdose n I still haven't cried!!! No nothing, like I'm dead inside. Rather be in pain...I can at least feel that.
@@cheetahgirl4217 This is hardly believable. If anything, it has the exact opposite effect. It improves your mood, outlook and motivation. Been taking it 10+ years. It really sounds like you were taking full dose Naltrexone. Those are the symptoms, it messes with your head. Could be a mistake with your pharmacist in compounding. I reduce the dose myself, it's easy to do. And these compounding mistakes do happen at drug stores. Never heard of anyone having the effects you describe with LDN. But with the full dose, absolutely.
oh no!!! I am so sorry. I recommend LDN for all seniors because it shuts down the shingles virus from errupting. I am on 4.5mg and will stay on it for life. I have gut problems and chronic fatigue syndrome, pain, crps. I am only starting month 4 and slowly healing. Very excited to see where I am in a year. @@HealingWithRachael
That's because there aren't any, other than the sleep disturbances. It one of the safest drugs out there. And there are only a couple of counterindications. Narcotics and Immunosuppressants. More info... >>> ohbaby's substack
I'm so happy for you Rachael!! How was the trip to Norway? I am Norwegian and we are lucky with our nature accessibiltiy. Do you have any videos of breaking down everything you did in your healing journey? For anyone wondering about LDN, this video is probably the best explaination of it imo - ruclips.net/video/nfCMvkonHOs/видео.html
I have researched LDN for weeks now and have been prescribed some after 44 years of ME/CFS/Fibro.
Your title for this video made me avoid it because I thought you were not happy with it and didn’t want to be discouraged. Delighted to see you so well. Thank you.
I'd take it if I were you .. I was skeptical but I said f it I was drinking bad and out o control soon as I popped just a half I felt like my life was changing for the better I stopped craving alcohol so bad my pain is damn near gone from my accident ect
I agree with slickone's advication. LDN (IMO) has no side effects and only benefits for folks with modern diseases. I take LDN just for anti aging as a premanent nutrical.
She also made a vid exclaiming how beneficial it was for her. She is only stopping now because she is better and doesn't want to be taking any drugs. She doesn't realize LDN works more like a nutritional supplement than it does a drug. In that it corrects an insufficiency in endorphins with complete safety.
More info... >>> ohbaby's substack
Have you ever tested positive for Lyme disease?
I took it for 4 years, it was great. I started DNRS 2 years ago and stopped LDN 10 months ago. I don’t need it anymore! 🎉🎉 but it was super helpful.
I want to share my experience with chronic illness, and that like you, working directly with nervous system regulation was the most helpful thing. I was extremely ill for many years, and I never took any medications. I did work with many natural health practitioners and did extensive ozone therapy, but was still incredibly ill. Eventually, I found Craniosacral therapy, and somatic therapy to help with my nervous system, and was able to almost completely heal, and went on to study those modalities and have now become a practitioner who specializes in nervous system health and supports others healing from chronic illness to support their nervous system. However, I wasn't fully 100% recovering, despite my in-depth understanding of and capacity to support my nervous system regulation. I decided to try LDN after having refused to take medication throughout my entire healing journey, and it has allowed me to decrease the neuro-inflammtion in ways that the other modalities weren't. So we sort of did things the opposite way. I share this to also name that sometimes the natural way also won't get someone all the way to the other side, and I now fully believe in this medication as an ally, of course as an adjust not a substitute to the natural nervous system support
Do you have a blog or something ?
I like to learn more from you, do you have a blog or something?
I think bc of its influence on calming the nervous system LDN can help people who are impacted by trauma, as well. Calms the flames
My niece got very sick after her second HPV vaccine. We never made the link until recently. She has a damaged CNS and CFS. We’re now questioning medications and vaccines much more. Rare disease isn’t so rare anymore
My ME/CFS started in 1979 after 4 vaccinations in 2 days to be an Air Stewardess. Just about to start LDN - privately - U.K.
This is sad. As a Nurse since 1975 the increase in vaccines is crazy. I never took a flu shot or any inj. We have 2 immune systems When I was growing up there were no vaccines so I got measles, mumps, chicken Pox. Childhood illnesses.
waiting for mri ? ms... symptoms went crazy after each of 3 covid vac's and i have never rebounded. really slammed my mobility !!
People use it as a cocain drinking and opioid replacement it blocks the nerons
What is mind retraining? Where did you get the instructions of how to properly do this?
LDN is a tool to assist healing a body that’s out of balance. That’s amazing that it took you far enough to no longer need it. What an encouraging message. 🙏🏻 Diet is also a vital factor that needs to be addressed for optimal health.
Your progress is evidence judging from your look of your eyes, kudos to you for choosing the right road
This is awesome to watch cause I remember finding your RUclips channel when you first started taking LDN and now you don’t even need it and you’re glowing!! LDN made me realise how much I was in fight or flight mode cause it suddenly chilled out a little so I feel like it pointed me in the right direction 😅
Thank you so much! Glad its helping you and wishing you lots of healing ❤️️❤️️
It helps for people in fight or flight ?
What dose are you on?
Perfect timing. I've been putting LDN off for several years now. Just had a consult with a new Dr and he also suggested LDN. So I'm gonna give it a try. For some reason I just can't get Brain Retraining to click for me. I'm over thinking everything. Hopefully this will start to lower my flight fight response so BR can work better. So happy to see you healing.
I hope its helpful for you!! :)
Try hypnotherapy it actually does work.
Your approach makes perfect sense to me at 65 years of age I am on no medications at all and that confuses people , they look at me as if I am strange , no not really I just don't take medications just to take them , I had a Mother that did that for 70 years and it didn't work out well for her either ! So, good for you I am happy that you recovered and moved on with your life and you look happy and well, God Bless You !
Your videos finally gave me the courage to take my first dose of LDN. I've been dealing with long covid for nearly two years and while my body is slowly recovering there are some persistent symptoms that interfere with my life. Thank you for the videos and encouragement.
How are you doing now? I just started ldn for long covid. I’m struggling.
I'm nearing month 12 myself. I heard from many doctors on youtube that sometimes it takes 2 full years.
Something to consider…the medical colleagues of Dr Bernard Bihari (the physician that discovered that low doses of naltrexone enhanced the immune response) went on LDN after learning of its healing abilities, and none of them were chronically ill. These colleagues were Dr Bihari’s best friend since medical school, and that friend’s entire family, who were all doctors. The article I read explained that they felt that LDN was a protective substance that they would likely be on for life.
Huh interesting
It stopped me from getting herpes outbreaks.
For those taking it or looking to take it, make sure it's compounded - compounding pharmacy. And, make sure you are getting ACTUAL diagnoses too...knowing the roots is important. LDN doesn't just help the nervous system, but brain inflammation in general from strokes, concussions, etc.
How wonderful Rachael! So happy for you and your new body :)
I took LDN for 3 months and then depression stared getting stonger and stonger out of no where. I finally had to stop taking it to my disappointment. :(
update?
How are you now? I just started ldn a few days ago-not without symptoms tho
give it time. I myself am getting close to a year and would safely say that 1-2 problems vanish every month.
@@debra9040 the 20 day taper up can be rough.
Unfortunately, some people doesn’t have that choice that you made due to the fact due to their chronic pain/illnesses, but I commend you for coming off your medication’s but there’s a lot of people that can’t do that for several reasons, in which,, you already know, you can’t take LDN in the morning versus at night and it doesn’t make everyone sick that takes it. God bless you
Congratulations on no longer needing any medications! I just started taking a super low dose of LDN for my severe CFS. I’m hoping that as I build up my dosage it can help me manage my symptoms a bit better. Thank you for sharing and giving me hope that healing is possible. I’ve been in a deep pit of depression for a while because I’m struggling to improve health wise and continue to decline instead. I’ve been thinking of you and others who have healed, and how before you never would have believed that you would be where you are today. It gives me some hope.❤ Enjoy your trip!❤
I am onLdn month 4 at 4.5mg, its not knocking out my chronic fatigue syndrome but my stomach has healed almost 100%. All the pain patients told me it takes 6 months to fully adress chronic pain and 9 months to suppress autoimmune desieses, so I am almost 1/2 way there with the cfs symptoms. I hate the fatigue and overall body achyness so much.
@@jamiehowington3 Same the fatigue is a huge killer, it is so awful it’s painful! I stopped taking it because I’m going to different doctors, and we are trying to figure out what chronic illnesses I have besides ME first. Good to know it takes time to work though so thanks for that!😊
Did it work for you? I am struggling with CFS also. Desperate to find anything that helps.
@@penelope9649 Fatigue wise? Not really. I’m on it again and since this comment I’ve been diagnosed with POTS and suspect MCAS, IBS, fibromyalgia, and EDS. It’s helped my muscle aches some. It maybe helps me not crash as much and as hard, but I’m still bedridden 95% of the time. It does make a big difference for some people with ME/CFS. It usually has no side effects and if you do get any you can just stop taking it. I would definitely try it. Just don’t expect a major difference in your severity.
@@penelope9649 Fatigue wise? Not really. I’m on it again and since this comment I’ve been diagnosed with POTS and suspect MCAS, IBS, fibromyalgia, and EDS. It’s helped my muscle aches some. It maybe helps me not crash as much and as hard, but I’m still bedridden 95% of the time. It does make a big difference for some people with ME/CFS. It usually has no side effects and if you do get any you can just stop taking it. I would definitely try it. Just don’t expect a major difference in your severity.
I have followed you for a while, and when I was researching LdN, your video was one of the videos that had me ask my doctor about it and get on it. I’ve been on it for two years, and that in combination with B12 injections was the two things that worked to pull me out of the severity of my conditions, which are chronic fatigue, syndrome, and fibromyalgia Mcas and 4 severe that conditions. Before I even got sick with all of these things, I had already been lactose, free, gluten-free and low, inflammatory diet exercise, took my vitamins and supplements and tried to minimize stress. I have tried to get off of the L B,N and I do notice that my symptoms flare up but not as severe so my functional medicine doctor agreed that it would be good for me to just lower the dose a little bit and stay consistent with it for a while for my personal situation, but I have all of these conditions in a lot more going on than even the things I’ve mentioned. For me, it may be a very long-term medication at extremely low-dose, because of the other benefits that it has for my personal conditions. That being said, I do plan to try again in the future as I get to a few more of the causes, that I am slowly and traveling through endless research and perseverance. I am so so so happy for you. I pray that you feel awesome for the rest of your life.!!
I think the aim to be medication free is nice, but my view is that my body has an imbalance, and that imbalance may not be within my bodies power to actually reverse. I have been taking one medication for 6 years now, and every time I have tried to go off it, my brain fog rockets back in, and I sleep 14+ hours a day. So at this point, I’m at peace with the fact that I might need it indefinitely. I know how it affects me pretty well and I know it gives me huge quality of life, so I’m happy to have the partner in this fight. I don’t know at this point if LDN will be a permanent member of my team, but the results in the 2 months I’ve been taking it have been incredible so, if it is, that’s ok with me too
Congratulations on regaining your health! This gives me a lot of hope. I have long Covid since July 2020, chronic Lyme, mold mycotoxins and several chemical toxicities before that. I was finding solutions and detoxing but Covid made my situation so much worse.
I just started LDN .5 mg about a week ago and it is definitely messing with my sleep. Making it even harder for me to fall asleep. I’ve been going to bed at 7 am, which is very frustrating. I think I’m going to try taking it in the daytime. I hate the idea of being on any drug, long term and I totally agree with your perspective. I was hesitant to even try it but I’m really desperate to help my immune system. I have been getting flus all summer long and I can’t take it anymore. (I’m unvaxxed in case anyone is wondering). I just want to have energy and live a normal life like everyone else.
I took LDN in the morning instead of evening and it stopped the insomnia 😊
Have you already tried taking high doses of vitamin c every day, plus getting enough zinc and vitamin D, also raw garlic daily, to keep the flus away???
I wondering about trying LDN, but the last thing I need is something that messes with sleep.
@@The_New_Abnormal_World_Order garlic kills beneficial bacteria in ur gut too so id be careful w that
I also had to start taking it early in the am because if i took it at night, I couldn't sleep. It gets better with the sleep and dreams over time. I wake up at 5 am, take it and go back to bed for a few hours.
This really gives me hope. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I saw a video of you three years ago, what a big difference. You look great and fit.
I was on LDN and it helped me a lot. I got better, went off of it, was good for a few years, then had 2 surgeries with no relief, then a TBI and now I'm trying to get back on.
I'm talking ldn for 8 years now, and I've always known that it helps me regenerate but I didn't appreciate how much it is helping me with my fatigue ( I have lupus) until I made a mistake in counting how many pills I have left and was 2 weeks without it. That was 2 worst weeks in the long long time. I had just a few left so I took 1 every 4th day. First day was good as always after taking it, second day I was feeling tired but it was manageable, third day I was feeling like I would have tones of rocks over my body, no strength at all, 4th day I had to take a nap during the day because I was so exhausted and I'm never sleeping during the day because I just simply can't unless I'm sick. And this scheme was the same 3 times so I'm sure it wasn't by accident.
It really works for me as with small baby I have zero time to take care properly of myself.
So glad for you! It helps me but I started eating more and gaining weight right away. It's disappointing to FINALLY find something that helps but to feel that it will cause me other problems that I really can't deal with either.
Oh no. 😮
You look so much healthier than you did in a video from over a year ago. I am happy for you.
Thank you so much!
Oh that is so awesome about your trip to Norway! My parents have been twice and absolutely loved it, especially the fjords near Bergen!
Thank you so much!! That's awesome. It sure is a beautiful place ❤️️
Im glad LDN was helpful for you
I completely agree with you about the key to healing is to calm the nervous system so that the body can naturally heal. Love to you!
I just went off LDN too. I also would prefer not to take any meds. Some of my symptoms have retuned, though I’m going to give it a couple weeks - think it’s just rebound withdrawal symptoms. Like you, have also been doing an animal based diet and brain rewiring and am SO much better than I was. ❤
Congratulations! Im happybto see your healing. I have pots for 3 years now, its so hard to deal with. Could you tell me what things helped you get better frm pots?
Good to see you better n better now... i saw your video after 2 years now, just to check how are you doing and knowing you are much better now gave me immense calm.
So encouraging!! Thanks for sharing. Happy for you!😊
Thank you so much, that means a lot!
I am SO happy for you!!!!!
Thank you so much!! ❤️️❤️️
I am the same. Doctors are not helping me so I have to look for help myself. Looking to go onto LDN as I have stopped taking opioid medication which I feel is a good decision but still having pain. Have changed my diet no red meat very little sugar no food additives or colourings no gluten. I also use Cannabis oil CBD 12% THC 12% which is helping with the inflamation plus makes me sleep like a baby and wake up refreshed. What are you thoughts on medicinal cannabis for fibro?
You look so healthy. Not needing it anymore is the best reason to stop taking any drug. Good for you :)
Rachel, did you find it beneficial and what side effects did you have I the beginning? I was offered it for my Long Covid…
Rachael, you are looking great. I notice that you no longer need the neck brace. Is that because of the LDN or from the neck treatments?
Thank you so much! Honestly, the LDN didn't really help with my neck much. Prolotherapy, an animal-based/carnivore diet for the last 2 years, and brain retraining have by far been the most helpful things for my neck!
Thank you!❤
Bless your wise heart, thank you for sharing and congratulations on your wholeness!🌟🙏🏼♥️
Hi Rachel! I just found your video and page. I have been retraining for CFS and other conditions for 1.5 years. Progress is happening, although slow. I'm considering increasing LDN (have been on a low low dose since before retraining) to see if it can help me recover along retraining.
How did you find going off LDN? Did it take time for your body and nervous system to adapt?
Was there any withdrawal? I’ve heard it may help with depression but not sure if it would for CPTSD…?
Seems like most SSRIs have serious side effects like brain zaps and withdraw :(.
Did you just stop, or did you need to wean off? I’ve never felt really good on it.
Hi, Rachael. When you had CCI did you have hydrocephalus (abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles (cavities) deep within the brain)?
Many congrats on your continued recovery and good health. Do you you continue with any non-prescription supplements alongside the carni diet? All the best...
Thank you so much! I don't take many supplements. Whole food vit c and magenesium are the only ones I take everyday. I sometimes do organ supplements as well.
@@HealingWithRachael Rachel, what brand of vitamin C do you recommend? Also, do you take collagen supplements? Thank you for all the information and support you provide for us 🤗
Did you stop before or after you started the carnivore diet?
I’m about to start LDN for possible help with anxiety. You think you gained any lessening of anxiety as a result of taking it? Assuming you had some anxiety prior to starting it….thanks a lot 😊
How do you know it wasn’t just giving the surgery time to heal?
Did you have MCAS? Has that gone?
I was at my sickest over a year after all my surgeries. Personally I don't attribute any of my healing to surgery, and if anything it has complicated my recovery. I'm planning to do a video on this in the coming months, but its something thats really difficult for me to talk about and can be triggering.
It wasn't until I changed my way of eating (carnivore / animal based) and started brain retraining that I began to heal. I know my body and I know that's been the most important part of my recovery. The nervous system work especially because I notice a difference in how I feel right after.
And yes, I did have MCAS! I used to get hives all over my body every day. Brain rewiring is what helped me heal from it. MCAS is a huge indicator of severe nervous system dysregulation. ❤️️
This came at a good time! I’ve just take receipt of some LDN. Thanks for sharing. Did you take it alongside prolo/PRP? Im a bit concerned it’ll block the prolo but then, if it helps the fight or flight then it could ‘help’ the prolo work?
I was already off of it when getting prolo/PRP so I'm really not sure how it would affect that. I do have a friend still on LDN that saw results with prolo. So I'm sure its possible still!
Very inspiring!
Do you eat raw dairy and/or eggs?
Yes, I eat lots of red meat, raw dairy, and eggs :)
@@HealingWithRachael I'm fighting graves disease and thriad asthma, eating carnivore and avoiding stress put both in remission but eggs and dairy makes it worse, I was wondering if something like GAPS could fix it, I miss them so much.
@@fabriciooliveira3720 For me, the most helpful thing with food reactions has been brain retraining. I started with a program called DNRS. When we react to nutrient dense foods, its a sign of nervous system dysregulation. But the GAPS diet seems like a great tool as well! Cheering you on in your healing journey :)
Starting my LDN to treat long covid. Also seem to have put my fight ot flight mode into overdrive.
What brain retraining method do you suggest?
The ldn put you in fight or flight?
I've been long hauling for years and been stuck in fight or flight to some degree everyday
Thank you.
Hey Rachel, you mentioned eating nourishing foods - what's your diet like these days? Still carnivore, or something different? Thanks for your time and for sharing your journey.
Mostly carnivore but not as strict. 90% carnivore. I’ve added in some fruit, honey, etc. And occasionally a little organic rice/potatoes. Still no ultra processed foods, seed oils, refined sugars, etc.
@@HealingWithRachaelI also used carnivore for 1 year then felt better when adding some fruits. Thinking about adding a few select vegetables as well.
Hi Rachel, I’m wondering if you feel that your fusion helped create more opportunities for your nervous system to heal?
Unfortunately I don’t. I actually feel if anything it’s made my healing more difficult. I was at my sickest a year later. I’d do just about anything to go back and not have it but believe it was a part of my story for a reason. ❤️ Even if it’s just to show people there are other options.
@@HealingWithRachael thanks for taking the time to reply. It sounds like a long tough road but I’m really glad that you got through and are doing so well now.
I'm glad she no longer needs it. But she is being a bit disingenuous towards it. While she is right that medications do have side effects, LDN is probably one of the safest medications out there. Sleep disturbances is about it,.. as far as this drug goes. There is no nausea, or headaches, or any of the million other side effects most medications have. And the sleep thing can be avoided if you take it in the morning instead of bedtime. And/or lower the dose. And even if it does cause vivid dreams, that is a small price to pay for its benefits. There is also the belief that this might be only a temporary side effect. And one other thing, and this is huge. It works more like a nutritional supplement than it does a drug, in that it corrects an insufficiency in endorphins. LDN leaves the body in only a few of hours. But the increase in endorphins lasts all day long. It doesn't work by masking or relieving symptoms of a condition. It works by increasing something very beneficial, that your body can't do without. Just like vitamin D or magnesium or any essential nutrient. And there are a number of reasons why your endorphin levels might drop. Which in her case, was being chronically ill for quite a while. She is still young and doing better and so she might be able to do without. But as you age,.. your endorphin levels drop. Dealing with an autoimmunity, or any chronic condition will also drop endorphin levels. And low endorphins are associated with Aids, Cancer, Mortality, you name it.... Endorphins have systemic effects for so many biological systems and pathways, it makes perfect sense for it to have a wide range of benefits for a great many conditions.
More on safety,.. fertility clinics give it to expecting mothers with troubled pregnancies,... and their babies are born much heathier than those who didn't take LDN.
Results can differ greatly. Some have had incredible benefits using it. For me personally, not so much. It helps me only moderately with my conditions (COPD and Psoriatic arthritis). But hopefully, still guards me from my cancer ever returning. 10+ years and counting. For that reason, I will never do without. Not at my age. There are a number of clinical cases of remarkable stage 4 recoveries, documented in the published literature.
More info... >>> ohbaby's substack
SSRI withdrawals are real. And they damaged my CNS.
I have severe mecfs for decades but it has never been dx as such. I’ve suffered severe fatigue since teenage years, sleep issues since early twenties, neuropathy then severe neuropathic pain by the time I was 40. I’ve been tested for everything under the sun and I’m healthy except that I have chronic pain, chronic fatigue, severe PEM and cognitive fog. Progressively worse for the past Twenty years I can’t stand, walk, do any activity or be emotional. I have no quality of life and wish that I didn’t need to eat or tend to the issues of this body anymore let alone for another 20 yrs. It all feels so helpless however I have decided to ask my doctor if I can start on LDN. I am anxious about even bringing up the subject because I have already been told there is nothing that can be done when my test results are normal. I’m afraid that I don’t have a diagnosis to support LDN therapy or that I won’t have a good response to it. Then I will truly be hopeless and may not recover from despair.
@@Zkbbkzzz you definitely have a need for it. Pain and fatigue are reasons to take it.
It should help you, and it's non toxic, mild if any side effects.
Start low and go slow. Most of all give it time. You have years of issues that it will need to help with.
It helped me tremendously.
Im wishing you the best
@@j.a.c3813 Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. I’m reading your message late on a helpless night trying to distract my mind from the terrible despair I find myself in and my tears start to flow once again. My physician at the pain clinic here in Indiana said they don’t prescribe narcotics period and told me I should go to Mayo Clinic next. I don’t have the strength to leave my apartment how would I get to Mayo, I asked him.
All alone in this world, at my wits end with no where else to turn. Thank God for you jac3813, reaching out to a stranger through this tablet like an Angel that gets me through the night.
Is there a video on what your Lyme disease treatment was?
Can you do video on foods? Are you able to eat non carnivore foods like Vegetables fruits etc or just not worth the risk?
I think there is a difference between a medicine that helps you to be able to improve things in your life vs a medicine that just allows you to cope by just dumbing everything down. My meds take my pain from a "crash" to a "slow speed train wreck". That doesnt actually help me improve in the long term. I'm still in pain, I'm less able to do the things I used to do , cuz I'm slowed down by meds so everything piles up worse than before. I'm basically mostly sitting around being afraid or unable to do anything cuz I'm already in pain or I'll have to stop in the middle when the pain comes back. I don't understand why my doctors won't acknowledge how much pain is ruining my life, I guess the opiod epidemic? but I'm hoping to get some help or else I've got no reason to keep trying to pretend to be normal. I'm hoping that becasue this medicine is not "addictive" that they won't avert their eyes and won't make tasteless jokes about drug parties if I ask for it. What is their purpose if they won't even help a person whose major complaint is pain.
I'm glad to hear that you were able to use it to make other improvements in your life. I have the potential to do "better" ( doing better = being less pitiful and more like a person who used to be able to take care of themselves) but chronic illness and pain is taking it away from me more and more and no one seems to care. I'm glad there are doctors out there tring to convince others to care and to help people ACTUALLY get BETTER health and less Pain.
Hi Rachael! It is so nice to see someone document their journey. I just started LDN at .5mg and I am wondering what was your titration schedule, what dose did you end up staying at, how did you know it was the right dose (did you have have a bad reaction to a certain dose and have to go back down?), and did the vivid dreams ever go away? Last, how long in total did you do LDN? Thanks again for sharing your experience!
it looks like her intro video with ldn was about 3 years ago.
I’m just about to start it at .5 too. How has it turned out for you as your comment was from a year ago
Beautiful soul
I just started it but I have back pain that seems to be caused by it. Should I lower the dose?
I am nearing my 12 month LDN-versarry. Some doctors claim it takes 2 years to take full effect.
Hope all is going well for you!
Hey thanks for giving us hope, so you had lyme? I think I might as well. My connective tissue has been deteriorating and I have cci. Also my cci is so bad, I might need a craniocervical fusion. I'm in bed 23 hours a day. How'd you find a doctor to perform one? Every neurosurgeon just looks at my MRi and says I'm fine.
Hi there! I'm so sorry to hear of what you've been going through. I really feel for you. Personally, if I could change one thing about my chronic illness journey it would be to not have my fusion surgery. It has complicated my recovery and still affects me everyday. For me, the most impactful things have been brain rewiring / nervous system regulation and animal-based nutrition (that's strengthened my connective tissue in a massive way). I also had prolotherapy treatments, which was helpful to accelerate my healing with my instability. But I don't attribute any of my healing to surgery! I'll try to do a video more in depth on that soon. Honestly, its still difficult for me to talk about.
Truly hoping all the best for you! Keep believing healing is possible!
One place to start is the Chiari EDS Center at Mt. Sinai
I have MS. My neuro., advised me to try it so I take LDN 3mg been on it 6mos. Didn't notice any results. However I read that it helps Hashimoto and I have that too
Hi Diana, I am sorry that you dif not have benefits. 3mg a day?
We have 2 great immune systems provided by God
How does it affect your dreams as you stated?
They become very vivid. Life like. Might wake you up. I once kick a wall in my sleep. I am a black belt. But you can reduce this by taking it in the morning, instead of bedtime, or reducing the dose. Say 4.5 mg to 3 mg. That's the optimal range. I don't find this bothering me anymore. Been taking it for 10+ years. More info... >>> ohbaby's substack
How are your PRP injections holding up now?
Great! Personally I believe an animal-based diet (mostly carnivore) for the past 2 years has significantly contributed to my recovery. All my joints have been strengthened/improving, not just my neck! :)
@@HealingWithRachaeljust finding your channel.
Why did you have prp injections and are they exactly ? How and when did your symptoms begin and was the Gupta program what helped you most ? How long were you on Ldn for and what did you notice jt help wit;brain fog and cfs?
I had 1 tablet and my body locked up
HOW DID YOU TREAT THE LYME? WOULD LOVE TO HEAR
For me, by far the most helpful thing with lyme disease was brain retraining with DNRS. Personally I believe nervous system regulation is the most important thing for those with chronic lyme, as when the brain comes out of a chronic survival state, the immune system will be able to properly clear infection naturally. I treated for lyme for 1.5 years and saw a little bit of progress but very very small in comparison to brain retraining.
@@HealingWithRachaelbut Lyme dieses cant cure without treatment how did your cure its miracle for you even carnivore diet cant cure you need treatment herbal or antibiotics.i have lyme i am following carnivore 2 years yes its fantastic its help me to sleep well, brain fog its help wirh pain aches reduce inflammation now i just stared herbs for lyme before lyme i was on heavy metals detoxification via chelation and supplements u r lucky that everything cure with carnivore thats good ❤
I'm going to have to disagree with you there. I've seen so many more people recover from lyme with brain retraining than with antibiotics or herbs. Our bodies were designed to handle and clear infections like lyme, but when our nervous system is stuck in a survival crisis state, our immune systems are not functioning properly. Personally I don't believe the best approach to treating lyme is to "attack it" or kill it off, but rather improve our bodies ability to clear infection on its own. We have an innate ability to heal!
P.S. Limiting beliefs can be a huge barrier to recovery, as they signal danger to the brain and perpetuate the cycle of illness. Truly wishing you all the best and glad carnivore has helped you significantly! It did for me too (much more than 1.5 years of lyme treatment did). But carnivore wasn't enough to bring my brain out of a chronic "fight or flight" state so I could truly heal.
Hello so dnrs is worth it because I just bought the dnrs 2.0?
Chronic Lyme is bs anyways. The nervous system is deregulated in cfs.
I used to get nutritional ivs in Arizona which helped me off my Benzos and opiates.
I have used ldn and pacing and even low doses of thc.
I have been on every antibiotic both IM/IV and oral.
I got some benidit from antibiotics but I think it was from their anti inflammatory effects.
I alway got worse from antibiotic due to their effect on the gut over time.
CNS deregulation is the key to cfs. All studies are now pointing to this.
Is the LDN helping in the same way that an SSRI would?
That impossible to answer but from a pharmacokinetic level no.
I am against the use of antidepressants myself. But studies do show they can be of benefit.
What part does the vagus nerve play in gut health?
Huge. Google images of the nerve and you’ll see. Lots of info online incl YT just search it.
How’s u get it I’ve talked to my Dr. And they where like 🤷♀️
It has to come from a compound pharmacy but any doctor can prescribe it .
You're not even treating your adrenal insufficiency? How did you do that?
Changing my diet and healing my nervous system. ❤️
@@HealingWithRachaelcongratulations
@@HealingWithRachael how does a carnivore diet heal adrenal insufficiency? Does it lower cortisol or increase cortisol or is it through some other mechanism?
@@RR-wy4lz It certainly could help. Healing the nervous system is really the most important thing, but what we eat really impacts the health of our nervous system too.
@@RR-wy4lz
Secondary AI vs primary (Addison’s) is diff. Lowering cortisol further in either is bad. Adrenals need vitamin C for the cortex and B5 etc. High levels of cholesterol in animal fat may help temp with hormones incl incr cortisol. Be careful as hundreds of good studies showing longterm (over many yrs) neg effects of high animal protein intake. Indigenous orig ate fruits, nuts, wild greens and usually fish eggs vs poultry. Their meat intake wasn’t ours with steak or bacon but dried fish and organ meat of wild animals. This is well documented thru studies and reports. Calming the nervous system esp thru the vagus nerve is very beneficial. Sukie Baxter also has great videos for this. Good luck.
Do u have CIRS chronic inflammatory response syndrome?
I’m sure I did, but personally I think it’s just another name for chronic illness just like lyme disease. I believe the root cause of CIRS is nervous system dysregulation, and that addressing that is much more beneficial that any sort of protocol. But that’s just my two cents!
I thought you have eds? It's not possible to heal from that
I was diagnosed with it. And personally I believe it is 100% possible to heal from eds. In fact, I think it’s so damaging doctors tell patients it’s not possible when they certainly don’t know that! I know lots of people that are recovering from it. Not everyone will agree with me but I’m going to continue sharing the message that healing is possible. ❤️ All the best!
I'm so sorry to hear of all you're going through, and I really feel for you! Honestly the most beneficial things for my recovery (even above prolotherapy) have been brain rewiring with DNRS and an animal-based diet. Eating lots of foods rich in connective tissue has strengthened my connective tissue so much (but it has taken years, progress doesn't happen over night). I only had prolo on my neck but had joint problems all throughout my body and everything else is healing. ❤️️❤️️
Nervous system regulation, in my opinion, is the most important part of healing. I'm really hoping all the best for you and your family!!
@@HealingWithRachael it's a damaging and ableist idea that people can heal something like eds especially with all these pseudoscience things. You can heal from some of the comorbidities but that's like saying you can reverse autism, or down syndrome or dwarfism. It's the denial phase of being chronically ill, I've been there. You may be helping other issues you have but eds will not go away or be healed
@@puppyteacow2748 there’s a lot of EDS diagnoses lately. You’d wondered whether they are all correct.
It is possible to heal from anything. Not everyone will but Be careful who U listen to.
I stopped all laboratory meds💪 Now taking low dose Psylocybin mushrooms. Twice a week and no more nerve pain.
Do you get that compounded or do you just cut a sliver off a shroom? I really am interested as I no longer take ldn but I still have pain from eds and menopause.
Can you please share what you take that helps? I’m struggling with neuropathy
I'M GRATEFUL I FOUND YOUR CHANNEL.
Retraining the brain for nervous system regulation works also healing
Yes, I share about this all the time. ❤️ I think it’s a much better approach than medication.
Do you have any medical qualifications?
No, I’ve never claimed to. Nothing I share is medical advice. Those that did have “medical qualifications” failed to help me heal-so many others have that same story.
What about gut health? Just as important as the nervous system.
The nervous system governs digestion & gut health. ❤️
I’m so Happy to see you well and calm. I’m always looking forward to seeing your progress. LDN is now prescribed to many patients suffering g from Long Covid and it’s supposed to help with inflammatory process. Enjoy Norway and love from Ireland ❤
Thank you for your kind message!! I can definitely see LDN helping with long covid, as I believe the cause of it is a dysregulated nervous system stuck in survival mode. ❤️️
@@HealingWithRachaelThey are finding that a lot of people with Long Covid actually have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Dysautonomia underneath as the cause of the problems. MCAS does keep you in Sympathetic Nervous system (fight or flight side of nervous system) overdrive constantly, which causes so many problems in the gut that feed the problems in the nervous system and vice versa. It's a vicious cycle. I also always encourage people with Long Covid to look into whether they have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, because it is often the root cause of MCAS, CFS, Fibro, ME, autoimmunity and other issues. The genetic issues related to EDS (a connective tissue disorder that causes too much permeability in tissues that shouldn't have it) cause a lot of problems that lead to MCAS and other issues downstream, like CSF leaks and drainage issues, leaky Blood Brain Barrier, leaky gut that leads to chronic bacterial and fungal infections which in turn stop your body from producing the right digestive enzymes, leading to food intolerances and allergies. The ironic thing is so many foods require your body to make the digestive enzymes needed to break them down after absorbing said foods properly. When your absorption is impaired, like in EDS, your body can't make the enzymes anymore, which leads to more malabsorption, malnutrition, no matter how well you eat, nutrient deficiencies, and then your body starts to see everything it cant digest or process (even smells) as toxins and poisons, even though it's not. That contributes to the body being in constant crisis mode.
LDN can heal the body where you don't need it, as I imagine it is happening here.
did you notice any sexual side effects while on LDN? Anorgasmia or less pleasure? Many thanks
This is a great question
@@-living4jesus4ever- yh, still suffering from this crap one yar after...can't feel ''high' anymore, muted orgasms (-50% at least) and less desire (which makes sense as I don't get the reward)
@@Alex-Music639 sorry to hear. Do you think it’s really LDN related? Have you looked into the world of bioidentical HRT? 🙏
LDN stopped working for me after I had a very mild Covid
I’ve read this but also stories of people retrying at ultra low doses compounded and titrating up slowly and it worked again. Give it time. Good luck.
Did it ever start working for you again?
@@jmc8076 that’s really cool and helpful.
Hope you enjoy my country (Norway)!
Thank you so much!! :)
Read the book "Super Gut" by William Davis. He shows by his research that fibromyalgia, restless leg syndrome, chronic fatigue and many other chronic illnesses are the result of an overgrowth of negative bacteria and fungus. This situation can be reversed by diet and avoidance of certain foods and food additives. I personally know three people who have transformed their lives with this information and protocol. Well worth reading his book it may transform your life.
“Let Food Be Thy Medicine and Medicine Be Thy Food.”
- Hippocrates in 400 BC
Do you think this healing would have been possible without the c0-c2 fusion?
I have nearly all the same diagnoses as you and am trying to figure out what path to take. My eds doctor is recommending not to do surgery
Personally I don’t attribute any of my recovery to my fusion surgery. If anything it’s made it more complicated and brought complications. I was at my sickest a year after surgery. I’d do anything to go back and not have it but I do believe it was a part of my story for a reason. Even if just to show people there are other paths to take.
Wouldn't touch that again, I have no desires in life period anymore, I quit many months ago n just getting where I can cry over movies or sad shit. My lil bro died of an overdose n I still haven't cried!!! No nothing, like I'm dead inside. Rather be in pain...I can at least feel that.
This is LDN, not Naltrexone full dose.
I'm talking LDN too....ugh, was on it a couple years now I'm really messed up, goy zero interest in anything, took ALL I EVER liked away.
@@cheetahgirl4217 This is hardly believable. If anything, it has the exact opposite effect. It improves your mood, outlook and motivation. Been taking it 10+ years.
It really sounds like you were taking full dose Naltrexone. Those are the symptoms, it messes with your head. Could be a mistake with your pharmacist in compounding. I reduce the dose myself, it's easy to do. And these compounding mistakes do happen at drug stores.
Never heard of anyone having the effects you describe with LDN. But with the full dose, absolutely.
If you get insomnia you can take it in the morning
I did take it in the morning!
oh no!!! I am so sorry. I recommend LDN for all seniors because it shuts down the shingles virus from errupting. I am on 4.5mg and will stay on it for life. I have gut problems and chronic fatigue syndrome, pain, crps. I am only starting month 4 and slowly healing. Very excited to see where I am in a year. @@HealingWithRachael
If you decide to go back on it again, I wonder if a little melatonin and cbd oil at night might help you sleep. or add vitamin D
@@HealingWithRachael
🌻🌻🌻
You're really gorgeous :)
Wtf are the side effects? Ur just repeating urself without actually saying anything
That's because there aren't any, other than the sleep disturbances. It one of the safest drugs out there. And there are only a couple of counterindications. Narcotics and Immunosuppressants.
More info... >>> ohbaby's substack
I'm so happy for you Rachael!! How was the trip to Norway? I am Norwegian and we are lucky with our nature accessibiltiy. Do you have any videos of breaking down everything you did in your healing journey?
For anyone wondering about LDN, this video is probably the best explaination of it imo - ruclips.net/video/nfCMvkonHOs/видео.html