Finally Off The Couch: LDN Relieved Laura's Interstitial Cystitis

Three and a half years ago I began having severe lower abdominal pain, similar to labor pains with frequent sharp stabbing pains. Seven doctors and two surgeries later, I got a diagnosis of Interstitial Cystitis.

Most of my days were made up of going to work, watching meticulously what I ate and drank, then coming home to the couch, heating pad and Percocet at some point. Many sleepless nights have been spent in a hot bath to get relief.  My pain level was consistently 5 to 6, and fllares, which were often, would be a pain level of 8 to 9. My local urologist rated the severity of my IC at 75-80%. It interfered with family time, and limited the traveling I liked to do with my boyfriend.

My pain level was consistently 5 to 6, and flares, which were often, would be a pain level of 8 to 9.

I have tried so many different treatments I’ve lost count. Among the treatments I tried were a strict IC Diet, Macrobid, physical therapy, vaginal valium, hot baths for extreme flares (at one point this was nightly about 2:00 a.m.), Elmiron, Pyridium (Azo) 3- 4 x daily, Urogesic Blue, Neurontin (for the nerve pain); chiropractic adjustments, Tinzanidine, Prozac, Flexeril, and Cymbalta. Some of those treatments helped a little, some not at all.

Recently I was at an appointment with Dr. Blaine Purcell of the Institute of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy in Wichita Fall, Texas. I was discussing with his staff and him all of the things I’ve tried and my frustration with little to no relief. He suggested I try LDN, and at this point I thought, why not? I’ve tried literally everything else.

We began my dosage at .5 mg every evening at bedtime then increased every 3-4 days until I got significant relief. I am now at 4 mg every evening and the improvement is astonishing.

I started taking the LDN in December 2017. I noticed within a few days that I began to feel better and saw a noticeable difference in pain levels. My boyfriend even commented that since I've been taking the LDN, I'm more like my old self. With each increase in dosage I continued to improve. When we reached the desired dosage of 4 mg, I was seeing significant improvement in my daily symptoms. I am now three weeks at full dosage and it has changed my life- returning it close to what it was like before the IC began.

My boyfriend even commented that since I've been taking the LDN, I'm more like my old self.

I would say the biggest changes in my life since starting LDN are that my pain levels are now a 0-1 on most days, and even when I have a “flare” now, my pain rating would be only a 3-4. It’s been 3 weeks since I’ve had to take a Percocet for the pain. Since starting LDN, I am becoming more active again, enjoying travel with my boyfriend, and spending more time with my grandson and granddaughter. I am also staring to venture out to try eating and drinking a few things I haven’t in a few years. I still avoid the foods that cause the most severe symptoms, but am again enjoying things like mild Mexican food.

Since starting LDN, I am becoming more active again, enjoying travel with my boyfriend, and spending more time with my grandson and granddaughter.

I have not experienced any side effects with the exception that if I miss a dose it causes extreme nausea. The “positive side effects” of LDN are that I can now make long range plans and, for the most part, not have to worry about cancelling them for a date with my heating pad or bathtub.

The “positive side effects” of LDN are that I can now make long range plans and, for the most part, not have to worry about cancelling them for a date with my heating pad or bathtub.

If you’ve tried everything else, give this a try. What do you have to lose? If you’re new to this journey, find a doctor that knows about LDN and give it a try. Be proactive about your care. If you don’t fight for your health no one else will. If you’re not being listened to – keep searching for a doctor who hears what you’re saying. I am grateful for Dr. Purcell, his staff at IBHRT & specifically for LDN.