MS sufferer Linda Elsegood (pictured right) could not see or hear properly and had to use a wheelchair before she discovered Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN). Now she has launched her own campaign to increase awareness of the possible use of the drug in MS treatment.
Linda was so crippled by the disease that she was barely able to attend her daughters wedding. Then Lindas life was transformed when she discovered LDN via the internet.
The MS was causing me excruciating pain. It started with a tingling on my tongue, then I just couldnt get out of bed and was sleeping for 20 hours a day, says Linda, from Norfolk.
I was finally diagnosed with Relapsing and Remitting MS. In October 2003, my neurologist told me there was nothing more that could be done for me.
From that moment Lindas deterioration was rapid until she started taking LDN in December 2003 and noticed improvements after three weeks. This continued for two years and then Lindas symptoms stabilised.
LDN uses approximately 1% of the Naltrexone dose approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating alcoholism and drug addiction.
I still have MS but life is good, says Linda. I can set targets and achieve them and look forward to the future.
The other prescribed treatments had horrendous side effects and cannabis was not an option for me.
After my success with LDN, I wanted everyone to know about it. I formed the LDN Research Trust in May 2004 and now spend all my time helping others while trying to raise funds for clinical trials.
Naltrexone is a generic drug that is out of patent, so very cheap to produce. The downside of that is that drug companies will not fund trials as there is no money to be made.
Id like the Government to fund clinical trials as I believe this could change the lives of thousands of people in the UK who suffer not only from MS but also Crohns, cancer and other diseases.
The LDN Research Trust website www.ldnresearchtrust.org offers information for anyone considering the treatment.
The first International LDN Awareness Week takes place from October 19-25, 2009.
Linda is pictured, right, with her grandson Leo.
