Chronic Pain Relief

Chronic Pain Relief with Low Dose Naltrexone

Living with chronic pain affects almost every aspect of your daily life. Not only can chronic pain limit your physical abilities, it can also interfere with sleep, appetite, concentration, sexual drive, employment, and the ability to enjoy the many pleasures of life.

Unfortunately, in many cases, pain medications only make things worse. In addition to turning you into a “zombie,” pain medications have many unpleasant side effects – and long term use of narcotic pain relievers can lead to addiction.

But Tutera Medical in Scottsdale, AZ offers a pain relief alternative that works with your body’s natural processes to offer long term pain relief – without resorting to highly addictive and dangerous controlled substances.

What is Naltrexone for Pain Relief?

Naltrexone was originally developed to treat patients with opioid or alcohol addictions. Naltrexone is an “opioid antagonist” – which means it blocks the euphoria or (“high”) of the brain’s opioid receptor.

However, recent clinical research as shown that much lower doses of prescription Naltrexone can help manage chronic pain in patients with many conditions, including migraines, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, some cancers, Crohn’s Disease, fibromyalgia, and other autoimmune disorders and inflammatory conditions.

Why is it Called ‘Low Dose’ Naltrexone?

50 mg to 100 mg per day of Naltrexone are administered to treat alcoholism or opioid addiction. However, doses far less than 50 mg are used to achieve chronic pain relief.

When given in tablet or liquid form for chronic pain relief, Naltrexone dosages range from as low as 0.01 mg to 8 milligrams. Typically, a maximum dosage of 4mg is sufficient to achieve chronic pain relief. Because these are such small doses, the treatment is called “‘Low Dose Naltrexone Therapy.”

How Does ‘Low Dose’ Naltrexone Relieve Chronic Pain?

The brain has mechanisms called “MU receptors” – which are linked to pleasure and pain. Naltrexone works by temporarily binding to and blocking the MU receptors. When the MU receptors are blocked, it causes the body to believe that it isn’t producing enough of the natural pain relievers called “endorphins” – so the body then goes to work producing more endorphins.

Low doses of Naltrexone also reduce the pro-inflammatory chemicals in the brain called “cytokines”. Reduction of cytokine production results in less inflammation and sensitization of various tissues that can cause pain. This “down-regulating” of inflammation in the nervous system, not only reduces chronic pain, it also improves fatigue, sleep, mood, and physical functioning.

In clinical studies, and among our own patients, chronic pain relief greater than 50 percent is typically reported with this therapy. Patients feel better, sleep better, and many can return to work, as well to their normal daily activities.

Is Low Dose Naltrexone Safe for Chronic Pain Relief?

High Dose Naltrexone (50 mg) has been FDA approved for the treatment of drug and alcohol abuse, addiction and withdrawal for many years – with an excellent track record for safety. And while Low Dose Naltrexone for chronic pain is still considered investigational by the FDA, the dosages are miniscule compared to the already safe higher dosages that are FDA approved.

While Low Dose Naltrexone is safe for most patients, people with organ transplants and patient who are taking immunosuppressive drugs should avoid Low Dose Naltrexone. Also, people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may have to adjust their thyroid supplements in the early stage of any Naltrexone treatment.

Other Benefits of Naltrexone for Chronic Pain Relief

Low Dose Naltrexone is also a very cost-effective method of managing chronic pain. There are brand name and generic forms of Low Dose Naltrexone, and prices will vary with the amount compounded for you. But, in many cases, the price of compounded Low Dose Naltrexone is only around or under $50 per month.

And because Low Dose Naltrexone literally blocks the “addiction receptors” there is no possibility of becoming addicted to it – unlike other narcotic pain relievers such as Norco, Vicodin and others.

Additionally, any side effects of Low Dose Naltrexone are very rare. Some patients report having vivid dreams in the first week or two of treatment. But th side effects of the higher dosages – such as fatigue, anxiety, and dizziness – are rarely seen with low dosages.

Other Uses of Low Dose Naltrexone

In various cancer studies, Low Dose Naltrexone has also been shown to possibly improve immune function by impacting gene expression. It has also been shown in clinical research to be useful in treating certain brain and nervous system disorders including Multiple Sclerosis (MS), ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), and Parkinson’s Disease.

Low Dose Naltrexone is also being studied for the treatment of depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders by those in the psychiatric community.

Low Dose Naltrexone Chronic Pain Relief | Scottsdale, AZ

If you are suffering from chronic pain, Low Dose Naltrexone therapy may be able to help you feel better and live a happier life – without addictive and exhausting narcotics.

Tutera Medical in Scottsdale, AZ has helped hundreds of patients experience less pain, better immune support, improved sleep, and increased vitality, energy, and well-being with Low Dose Naltrexone. Schedule an appointment today to see if Low Dose Naltrexone is right for you.