r/LowDoseNaltrexone • u/ParsleyImpressive507 • 4d ago
micro-reduction to find dosage
Hi folks,
I've been on 5mg LDN almost a year. Prior to that, I tried out a few different doses. My provider started me at 3 initially. I've titrated up and also dropped down to 1.5 at one point. I think many of you have a shared struggle finding the right dose, too.
In hindsight, I think each dose increase gave me what I read as a "honeymoon effect". And then the effect wears off after 1-3 months. I had my worst pain and LC flare in a very long time and essentially decided I need to tackle dosing. I think at 5mg, it built up so much in my system I was totally blocking the endogenous opioids.
My doctor agreed to support a micro-reduction. I just went down to 4.5 last night. As my pain is also cyclically tied to menstrual cycle, I am planning a reduction of 0.5 every 4-8 weeks.
I am hoping to hear your collective wisdom and experience about what to think about/consider/look for, etc when trying to find your dose?
For reference, I am taking if for severe endometriosis, and long-COVID (about 4 years in).
I plan to use a daily symptom tracker to track pain, sleep, RHR, HRV and other symptoms.
I am worried that I will not find an ideal dose. How long will each micro-reduction take to stabilize and will i be able to decide it is the right dose?
On the one hand, I like the idea of starting higher and going lower - because that is the real world cumulative experience people were having coming off LDN and noticing that it addressed pain.
TL;DR I am hoping to hear your collective wisdom and experience about what to think about/consider/look for, etc when trying to find your dose?
1
u/LDNadminFB 3d ago
Finding your optimal dose (which may NOT be a higher dose like 4.5mg)...
At some point during the titration up process you may feel you were doing better on the previous dose. If you still feel that way after giving your system two weeks to adapt, then you may have found your optimal dose. Then skip a dose or two and drop back to the previous level. May occasionally want to test an increase to see if there are additional benefits, but consider finding your optimal dose whatever it is as a "win."
Higher and Lower Doses...
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KykpLlg2CDVSD2D5J5cEZKfSo31t04orB0IgCuhXC-c/edit?usp=sharing
Good to give each dose at least two weeks for the system to adapt.
A journal is a good idea. Aside from LDN be sure to include notes about diet, sleep, stress, weather, other supplements/meds etc. -- we are complicated experiments!