How Low Dose Naltrexone Saved Our Lives
As long as I’ve been alive, my dad was always one of the strongest and healthiest persons I have ever known. He was athletic, played baseball and football, and always did a daily routine of exercise. He was never sick.
Toward the end of 2000 at the age of 85, there were slight changes in Dad’s health. An avid golfer, he began to experience weakness in his legs in the knee area. He continued doing life as usual, but the condition slowly deteriorated to the point where he occasionally needed help to his car with his groceries. One day in June, 2002, I happened to be at the same shopping center where Dad had been shopping, and I found him sitting on a bench outside the store with his grocery cart. I said, “Why are you sitting down?” He replied, “My legs just gave out. The folks inside the store wanted to call an ambulance, but I told them all I needed was to sit down and rest for a while and I’ll be fine.”
This was our wake up call that something may really be wrong. Like many men, Dad wasn’t keen on making a doctor appointment. After many discussions, I talked him into seeing a neurologist. The neurologist, a very nice man, sent him for all kinds of tests, including an extensive blood work-up. The blood test showed elevated levels of IgA Lambda Monoclonal Gammopathy – an indicator that multiple myeloma (bone marrow plasma cancer) may be present, and thus, the cause of the weakness in Dad’s legs.
We were referred to a hematologist/oncologist for further testing that included a metastatic bone survey and biopsy, which proved that multiple myeloma was indeed present. The suggested protocol was low dose chemotherapy (melphalan and prednisone) along with Aredia (via intravenous injection) and possibly radiation therapy. We received the diagnosis on October 8, 2002. Dad was then 87 years old, and in just two weeks we were scheduled to leave on a three week vacation.
Dad rejected it all. He said he wasn’t taking any of that medicine, period. There is nothing more devastating than to hear the news that your loved one has an incurable and terminal disease. It’s like nothing I’ve ever known. There was only one way I could address the situation and that was, and continues to be prayer and faith. In this enlightened age of advanced technology, I believed there must be something out there that could effectuate healing; my job, with God’s help, was to find it. Thankfully, my prayers were answered.
On October 10, 2002, two days after receiving the diagnosis, I turned on my computer and entered these words: “Natural Healing of Multiple Myeloma.” Many potential sites came up on my screen, and many of them appeared unreliable. However, one site did come up that appeared to be authentic. It was the Centre for Integrated Healing, located in Vancouver, BC. It was on these web pages that I read about low dose naltrexone (LDN) and that it had helped people with multiple myeloma, other cancers and autoimmune diseases. It also had a link to the low dose naltrexone web site. I clicked on the link, and there I found the most meaningful information I have ever found in an internet search. I learned about Dr. Bernard Bihari in New York City and the wonderful results he is having with patients taking low dose naltrexone. I printed the information and showed it to my dad. He liked what he saw and told me to go ahead and pursue it.
I called Dr. Bihari’s office after his office had closed, and left a passionate message about my dad’s situation and that I would do anything in this world to save his life. The following day, Dr. Bihari’s nurse called, and told me the doctor was willing to accept my dad as his patient. Since we do not live near New York City, we had all of my dad’s test results faxed to Dr. Bihari’s office. Then, on October 15, 2002, Dr. Bihari, through a telephone consultation, reviewed my dad’s tests results, confirmed the diagnosis, and prescribed LDN, 4.5 mg to be taken nightly between 9:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. Dr. Bihari called in the prescription to Irmat Pharmacy in New York City, and they promptly sent it to us via Federal Express. It arrived the afternoon of October 17, 2002, and that was the beginning of the road to recovery for Dad.
Dad has been following this protocol ever since, and now, two years later, at the age of 89, there appears to have been no disease progression. His most recent tests indicate changes suggestive of remission. Dad’s legs remain weak in the knee area as before, he uses a cane to walk, but his overall quality of life is good. This is the miracle I prayed for and I thank God every day for Dr. Bernard Bihari, his wonderful staff, and Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN).
While my focus has been on Dad’s health and recovery, I’ve had my own health issues and challenges. I was struck by a motor vehicle as a pedestrian in December 1996. After many recurring bouts with a variety of illness, I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. I began taking LDN 3.0 mg. last February, 2003 and I did notice an increase in energy. In September, 2003 my dosage was increased to 4.5 mg and while I still have fatigue along with other medical problems, this is about as close to normal as I have felt since my accident.
Since writing this testimonial for inclusion in the Low Dose Naltrexone Mauual my dear father developed respiratory failure and joined the Lord on March 20, 2006. He was 91 years old. I continue to take LDN and will be forever grateful for the blessing of finding Dr. Bernard Bihari and the miracle of Low Dose Naltrexone.
To learn more about LDN, please visit the Low Dose Naltrexone web site, http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org
To Your Good Health,
Sunny O'Malley
Emery James “Jim” Sedlock, November
20, 2003, Jamison’s Grill & Bar, Kapalua, Maui