Had an appointment with my rheumy today... I asked him about LDN an whether he had herd of it.....he said yes i have herd of it and no i cant give it to you because there has been no trials with it relating to AS..... Has anybody got any info on trials conducted in australia... I wish to go back and show him so he can proscribe it to me...

You need to send an email to: email@lowdosenaltrexone.org asking for a list of physicians in your area that will prescribe it.

I did LDN for the first 5 months of being on the NSD. Eventually I figured out that I can totally control my flares through diet so a couple weeks ago I stopped LDN because I was tired of paying the $50 a month and taking a pill every day.

I personally didn't think it helped me really, because even while on it, when I would eat something starchy I still flared. Now I've been pretty much pain free for the past 3 months and that is when I dropped the dairy.

Just giving you my personal 2 cents. Don't think I'm trying to push any diet on you. I feel like I need to preface that when replying to a thread in the "General" section, haha! Good luck with obtaining LDN. You may find it more helpful, and I hope it is for you!

Adzy - Yr rheumy is correct. There are no trials yet, Oz or anywhere, re AS. Therhe has just been a mini trial for fibro (very successful results) and UC Davis completed a trial for Crohn's - results yest to be publishhed.

Don'r know what the rules and regs asre for 'orphan' drugs scripting in Australia. Wait for other Aussie members to comment - but not sure IF any of the Aussies here are taking LDN!

Otherwise, check out the LDN websites and put in a request for help in obtaining LDN in Australia.

Hope you can sort -

Take care -

LDN has done nothing to help my AS. I take it for the nerve damage (MS) I got from Enbrel. However, some here believe it helps. Check the LDN websites on how to get LDN without an Rx.

One can get over the counter from Antiaging Systems .com Otherwise, the LDN website will direct you to doctors who will supply you with a script - but will have to give support evidence that you are a patient with etc etc and you will need to undergo a telephone consultation before they will be able to give a RRx.

if you really want to try it as i did, ask your local compounding pharmacist for a list of doctors in your area that prescribe it through them.

or approach your doctor again if:

do you have an inflammatory bowel component to your AS? there have been successful clinical studies for crohn's. i was able to convince my rheumy that since crohn's and the other spondys are all cousins of one another and if it helps crohn's, why wouldn't it help AS or undiff spondy.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=crohn%27s%20naltrexone

this is what it has done for me:

unfortunately it has not prevented flares, has not prevented inflammation in my joints. my feet still become inflamed if i'm on them too much. my SI still flares, my ribs still flare.

however, with that said, my enthesitis is so so so much better! i haven't pulled or torn a tendon or ligament since being on it! and that for me is a HUGE deal!

thanks guys but unfortunately im very limited at the moment in wich doc or rheumy i can go see as i have to use the docs that the army tells me to go see... i would like to go see others but my hands are tied....its the only problem i have found with the army medical system. but they have looked after me quite well in the respect that i have AS and there willing to look after me and try and sort the problem out the best they can with out giving me the big heave ho...

saying that.... if my AS gets any worse i might be up [*bleep*] creek without a paddle.. but lets face it who in there right mind would want someone in the army that protects there country that cant actually do his job because his broken. so if they do choose to give me the boot i wont hold any grudges only that i would be dissapointed that i could not get to do the thing i love which is to serve and protect my county..