Seeking Insights on Naltrexone/LDN and Its Impact on My RLS
I’m a 42-year-old male weighing 185 pounds and standing at 5’10”. I don’t smoke and currently take Adderall (35 XR), Gabapentin (1800 mg at night), and Naltrexone (50 mg). Let me share my experience. Initially, I was prescribed Bupropion, but it led to some eating problems. Consequently, my doctor switched me to Naltrexone, starting at 25 mg and later increasing it to 50 mg. Although it didn’t seem to resolve my eating issues, I was pleasantly surprised to find that my Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), a condition I had grappled with for years, had completely disappeared. After five weeks of taking Naltrexone, I noticed no change in my eating, and I began feeling somewhat unwell, so I decided to stop the medication. Interestingly, the RLS remained absent for a couple of weeks before it eventually returned. Acknowledging the possibility that the medication had contributed to my relief, I resumed taking Naltrexone, and once again, my RLS symptoms vanished. It has truly been a remarkable remedy for me, bringing immense joy, although I do experience unpleasant side effects and a facial rash. Now, I have a few questions: 1. What is the mechanism that makes Naltrexone effective for RLS? 2. Why did the relief from RLS persist for a short time post-medication? 3. Are there alternative treatments with similar benefits that might mitigate the negative side effects?
Answers (1)
2/9/2026, 3:50:35 PM
OpenHealth AI
It’s great to hear how Naltrexone has positively impacted your Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), even amidst some challenges. Let’s address your questions step-by-step while acknowledging your concerns and experiences.
Main Points:
- Naltrexone may help with RLS by affecting neurotransmitter systems.
- Temporary relief after stopping could be due to lingering effects of the medication.
- There are alternative treatments to explore that may reduce side effects.
Explanation:
-
Mechanism: Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist, which means it blocks certain receptors in the brain. This blocking action can modulate dopamine pathways, which are important for movement and may influence the sensations associated with RLS. By altering these pathways, Naltrexone can help reduce RLS symptoms.
-
Post-Medication Relief: The fact that your RLS symptoms remained absent for a time after stopping Naltrexone might suggest that the medication led to changes in your brain's chemistry or receptor sensitivity. It's also possible that withdrawal or a brief period of altered neurotransmitter activity contributed to this temporary relief.
-
Alternative Treatments: Considering the unpleasant side effects you’ve mentioned, here are some alternatives you can explore:
- Dopamine Agonists: Medications like pramipexole or ropinirole are commonly prescribed for RLS and might have fewer side effects for you.
- Iron Supplements: If you have low iron levels, supplements can often help alleviate RLS symptoms. It's worth checking your ferritin levels with a simple blood test.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Regular exercise, practicing good sleep hygiene, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol can significantly improve RLS symptoms without medication.
- Massage and Heat Therapy: Using heat pads or massaging your legs may provide symptomatic relief.
Next Steps:
- Consider discussing with your healthcare provider: Talk about your experience with Naltrexone, side effects, and possible adjustments to your treatment plan.
- Evaluate your iron levels: Have a simple blood test to check if your iron is within a healthy range.
- Explore alternative medications: Ask about options like dopamine agonists or other treatments that could potentially have fewer side effects.
- Incorporate lifestyle changes: Start incorporating regular exercise and sleep routines, and consider trying heat therapy for symptom relief.
Your well-being is important, and it's great that you're actively seeking ways to manage your condition. If you have more questions or need further guidance, feel free to ask!
Related Questions
Dealing with Carpet Burns
I’m a 18-year-old male weighing 50kg, and I haven’t been taking any medications or experiencing any significant symptoms. A couple of weeks ago, I suffered a burn from a carpet that I suspect was a minor second-degree burn, if not a first-degree one, since there were no blisters present. Fortunately, as of two days ago, the burn has completely healed. However, the affected areas remain red where the scabs have now come off, and when I apply light pressure, the redness temporarily disappears. Despite the healing, the red marks haven't shown much improvement, and it's causing me some concern as they are located on my arm and make me feel somewhat self-conscious. Is there a way to expedite the fading of these marks, and what is the typical time frame for them to diminish?
Concerns Post-Laparoscopic Appendectomy: Tenderness and Discharge After Four Weeks
I’m reaching out via my backup account. Is there anyone else out there who's dealt with ongoing tenderness, sharp sensations, or a feeling of emptiness around the belly button weeks following laparoscopic surgery? How long did it take for you to heal completely? Was your discomfort alleviated with antibiotics and local treatment? My recovery has been progressing fairly well, especially with support from my boyfriend. However, I had to return home to avoid becoming overstayed as I had my emergency while visiting him towards the end of my trip. Now back at home, I live on the fifth floor without an elevator, which has made things tricky as I’ve had to transport groceries upstairs while being cautious to not exceed carrying 3 kg in each hand. Climbing the stairs seems to have exacerbated my condition. I’ve begun to feel soreness when getting in and out of bed frequently, and there’s some pressure near the left side of my navel port site. The stitches around the incision are starting to show a faint pink color. Currently, I had to travel for work and opted to wear cycling shorts to limit movement in my abdomen. However, I may have put too much strain on myself, as I noticed some dried blood and sticky discharge after using the restroom following my flight. I reached out to my doctor, who prescribed additional antibiotics (Augmentin). Fortunately, I’m not experiencing any fever, chills, or significant inflammation. Yet, there’s still a sharp sensation at the site, which becomes uncomfortable when I walk around without proper abdominal support. I’m becoming uneasy as my return to work is approaching in two weeks (eight weeks post-operation). My job involves high physical demands, with lots of movement and lifting, not to mention some heavy-duty tasks. I would like to know if what I’m experiencing is typical and what further precautions I should consider. I’ve promised myself to be cautious moving forward. Thanks in advance for your advice! I will be sharing some pictures. The first image was taken when I first noticed the issue, the second one after I cleaned the area, and the third one shows what it looked like after my first dose of antibiotics along with paracetamol.
Concern About My Toddler's Sudden Distress
Greetings everyone, I’m reaching out to gather some thoughts regarding my 13-month-old daughter. She stands at 2.5 feet tall and weighs 22 pounds, and aside from being a healthy Latina child with no significant medical history, her overall health has been quite good. Yesterday, while we were enjoying some playtime on the couch, she unexpectedly began to cry intensely and exhibited signs of hyperventilation. It appeared as though she was struggling to breathe, and intriguingly, she started shaking her head in a way that resembled a robotic movement, almost as if she were indicating ‘no’ but in a very partial manner. The episode that spooked me seemed reminiscent of a neurological response. This distress lasted for roughly 90 seconds, during which time she remained aware and responsive. She followed my movements with her gaze and reacted when I called her name. Once the 90 seconds had passed, she gradually regained control of her breathing and stopped the head movements. In approximately three minutes, she returned to her usual self. I have already taken steps to consult with her pediatrician about this incident. If anyone has experienced something similar or has insights they could share, I would greatly appreciate your input, as this was quite alarming for me. Thank you!
Experiencing Daily Heart Palpitations with Tremors and Other Symptoms
I'm a 21-year-old female without any significant medical history, currently taking supplements such as iron, vitamin D3, K2, B12, and magnesium. I occasionally vape and enjoy energy drinks and alcohol, but I don't think these habits are linked to my recent symptoms, as they predate their onset. Daily, usually at night while I’m in bed, I experience episodes where my heart feels as if it is racing intensely, despite my heart rate remaining steady. During these times, I also experience tremors in my arms and hands, occasional chest discomfort, dizziness, and a sudden sensation of warmth. On two occasions, the episodes were alarming enough for me to seek emergency medical attention. One incident occurred soon after this issue began, while the other happened right after I woke up; my blood pressure at that time was recorded at 166/91, with a pulse around 100. When retested at the hospital, my blood pressure had decreased to 131/90, yet the feelings of both pounding and fluttering in my chest persisted. This pattern has continued for several weeks, but so far, blood tests and ECGs have failed to reveal any underlying problems. I initially considered a thyroid disorder, but my TSH levels returned normal; I may request additional tests for T3 and T4 just to be thorough. Various doctors have attributed my symptoms to anxiety, a diagnosis I’m not entirely convinced by, as I often feel completely relaxed when these episodes occur. It can be frustrating, especially since my mood does not seem to influence these symptoms at all. Additionally, I commonly feel nauseous during these episodes, though I rarely vomit, and I've experienced a couple of headaches as well. Lately, I've noticed my pulse feels stronger; merely resting my hand against my face or a hard surface allows me to perceive a noticeable thumping in my fingers—a change from before when I needed to apply significant pressure to feel my pulse.
Lump Located in Armpit
**Patient Summary:** **Age:** 21 years old **Gender:** Female **Height:** 160 cm **Weight:** 37 kg **Country of residence:** India **Smoking status:** Non-smoker **Alcohol consumption:** None **Medications:** - None currently prescribed **Medical Background:** - Diagnosed with low ferritin levels - Exhibiting low iron count - Deficiency in vitamin B12 - Hemoglobin reading around 11 g/dL - Possible diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - No identified autoimmune disorders - No cancer history noted **Family Health Concerns:** - Family history includes instances of cancer **Chief Complaint:** I have noticed a small, round lump beneath the skin in my left armpit, which feels like a hard ball upon palpation. It feels attached to the surrounding skin, and it has been present for roughly four months. Notably, it causes no pain, the skin appears normal, and there has been no significant change in size. **Location:** - Left armpit **Associated Symptoms:** - No fever present - No episodes of night sweats - No unexplained loss of weight - No signs of redness, warmth, or discharge observed **Additional Information:** - Applied 10% glycolic acid in the armpit area - I experience considerable health anxiety, particularly concerning potential lymphatic cancer or other malignancies - I have a tattoo located in the upper abdomen area, done around three years ago **Inquiry:** Based on this description, does it seem more likely that I am dealing with a benign issue (such as a lipoma, cyst, or reactive lymph node) instead of a malignant condition? Would it be advisable to pursue an ultrasound, and which type of specialist should I seek for further evaluation?