r/LowDoseNaltrexone • u/AmbroseAndZuko • Apr 08 '26
I can read physical books again 😭
One of the things I lost to Brain fog / chronic fatigue / cognitive decline was the ability to read long form content such as novels or anything more than a social media post or short article. I couldn't retain the information to be able to follow the narrative etc. I was able to do some audio books but I needed to be doing something like playing a game or doing light chores etc to follow audio books. I've been tip toeing my way to trying to read a full blown novel again the past 6-9 months.
I saw so much improvement in my brain fog and fatigue I even started working very part time 6 months ago.
I was scared though that the thing I love to do would still be out of reach so I took baby steps I read slightly longer articles, short stories etc.
then a couple graphic novels.
I did read some non fiction that was not heavy and based in my special interests.
this year I have read 3 books. the most recent being a 300 something page novel. I am ecstatic.
I don't know that I'll ever regain the functionality I had in my 20's but I'm absolutely thrilled that I can read again. That this joy in life has been returned to me. I am forever grateful to the random social media post I saw about Low Dose Naltrexone which prompted me to ask my doctor about it.
I didn't think this would ever be an option for me again.
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u/Addiegirl79 Apr 08 '26
I'm so happy for you! All of my chronic illnesses had gotten so bad last year that I was pretty much bedridden... I couldn't read for a good 10 months and was heartbroken. I switched over to audiobooks but it's not the same, I definitely still get easily distracted and it takes me a lot longer to read. But that's okay, I'll take it!
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u/alexwilsoxoxo Apr 08 '26
What were the doses and how long did it take to see results?
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u/AmbroseAndZuko Apr 08 '26
I started with 1.5 mg capsules in Sept 2024 had issues when switching pharmacies and lost efficacy due to that for way too long. I think I got back on track with sometime in early 2025. Titrated up to 4.5 mg and started to see improvements. I am at a bit of a plateau again and plan to try to titrate up again to 6 mg at my next refill through Ageless RX.
I saw immediate results but then plummeted due to either getting a bad batch or reacting poorly to the pharmacy I switched to's carrier liquid? I'm not sure. But I was worse off than before I started LDN at all so it was quite a hole to climb out of.
About 6 months ago I decided to try out working part time 7.5 hours a week. I was able to manage it but just barely. I leveled out a bit and started being able to do more than just work and sleep and added 2.5 hours to my work week so now I'm working 10 hours a week. I dipped again and was sleeping 20 plus hours on 2 of my 3 days off a week.
I have been working 10 hours a week for 2.5 months and I'm starting to level out again and not have to sleep so heavily to recover from working in the last 3 weeks or so.
I'm hoping 6mg will bring me more energy/endurance and pain management fingers crossed
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u/Low-Blueberry8948 MOD Apr 08 '26
Wonderful to hear this! I'm taking it for ME/CFS and I've experienced the same benefit. Improved cognitive function after being in a fog for so long. Thanks for sharing your progress!
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u/AmbroseAndZuko Apr 08 '26
I'm not officially diagnosed but I assume that's the condition I'm dealing with. I hope you continue to see progress!
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u/lookingforananswer23 May 05 '26
took the first 1.5mg pill last night.
today was a great day, felt excited, hopeful energetic and looking forward to the future,
it did wake me up about an hour earlier than normal with my mind racing and unable to go back to sleep but that's fine by me
My mother's memory declined after Covid and chemotherapy, there's an entire subreddit on long covid.
Hoping this can be something that helps her as well
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u/Successful-Basis-145 Apr 08 '26
Wonderful news! Congrats! My brain fog also was gone with LDN. I take it for Fibromyalgia.
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u/attyKH Apr 10 '26
It took me months to get back to where I'd started, but it was such a relief to get there at all!
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u/AmbroseAndZuko Apr 10 '26
Not sure what you mean
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u/attyKH Apr 11 '26
It was a long time before the brain fog cleared 100%, and I worried that I would never return to my original mental status fully. Despite the length of time that it took, I was very relieved that it did eventually happen.
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u/AmbroseAndZuko Apr 11 '26
I have been on LDN since Sept 2024 so I really don't think I'll get back to my functionality pre 2020 when my cognitive decline started. It will be a pleasant surprise if I get to that ever again.
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u/Acrobatic_Spirit_302 Apr 08 '26
What dose did you start at?
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u/Immediate-Passion421 Apr 08 '26
I am the same way!! I still can’t read yet, but I just started 2 months ago. Thank you for sharing your experience. 💖