Low Dose Naltrexone

It looks like the LDN clinical trial was willing to accept patients taking up to 10mg pred OR 3 mg Entocort. 

Aminosalicylates like Pentasa look like they might be OK. BUT the patients had to have been at the same (stable) dose of medication for 4 weeks prior to starting LDN:

"Stable doses of medications for Crohn's disease over proceeding 4 weeks (for aminosalicylates and steroids: prednisone of 10mg or less daily and Entocort 3 mg/ day are allowed), and 12 weeks for azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine.)"

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00663117

Don't start LDN on a flare, LDN should be started when you have tapered prednisone to 10 mg day. Read njmom's post. I would suggest that you go to the yahoogroup

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/LDNandIBD/

to learn more. This group is made for those who want to use or are using LDN. You can also find a lot of useful links and files there about IBD and LDN. If you're getting candida (LDN somtimes trigger and underlying candida to the surface) Increased candida will give the new LDN user increased diarrea. Files and links are suggesting what to do to test your self for this and to treat it./Bee

Candida (Albicans) is natural in the gut flora, working with and interacting with other natural organisms in the gut flora. I read some place that we may have up to 800 - 900 different organisms in our gut flora, good and bad guys. Candida is one of the good guys, but now and then they grow too fast and gets too crowded, which makes the flora in a bad balance. You can even order tests to find out if you're having a candida overgrowth and if so, you can treat it with medicines prescribed by the doctor.

I also understand that when having a gut issue like ours, there are tendencies getting this yeast overgrowth,  this yeast overgrowth leads to increased diarrhea. LDN is able to activate and underlying yeast overgrowth. If we're having a lot of gas problem and / or increased diarrhea, it could be a syptom of candida overgrowth. LDN is not able to create candida. So, if you're getting increased diarrhea while on LDN, check yourself for candidiasis. Tree lac is a good natural remedy! Nycostatin is a medicine your doctor may prescribe. /Bee

Post Edited (BeeSting) : 11/8/2009 4:04:18 AM (GMT-7)

When I started using LDN my diarrhea improved, and I now and then find myself constipated instead. LDN is reducing diarrhea, so if you get more painful BMs, try to arm yourself with prawns, fruits, vegetables and drink much more water than you're used to. Exercising by taking a walk is benefitting. Btw, LDN needs some months, it's often seen a gradual improvement. Good luck!/Bee

No, I am just using LDN. But during the 2++ years that I have used LDN, I actually have had a few flares. To treat them I have given myself a shorter prednisone treatment on 2 days w. 30 mg, 2 days w. 20 mg, 2 days with 15 mg, then 10 mg, and 5 and every second day 5. I haven't used LDN while on the highest doses, but from 10 mg and down it's ok to use pred and LDN. This because prednisone is not supressing the immune system when down on 10 mg.

My medicine use has been prednisone prior to LDN. Have never got any other medication. Important: the pred use is ok during signs of a flare coming, but may be it's ok if you're able to reduce the prednisone to shorter periods of time compared to earlier. I have used pred twice since I started on LDN. Both times was app. 2-4 weeks. Good luck to your LDN use! Remember that it needs time, LDN is not at all a quick fix and it's not a cure.

BTW: you may want to read what other people have experienced with LDN:
http://www.milfordmercury.co.uk/news/4735577.Campaign_for_drugs_trial_gathers_pace/?ref=mr