Hi. My name is CB VIAU (pronounced VIEW). I live in a small community in the USA with limited health care, and therefore, I practically live on Google and Amazon for utilizing research methodologies pertaining to healthcare. I've been at my wits end with chronic pain and decided to look for free online pain forums, and voila, through the grace of God, I found Mayo.

Ten years ago, I was treated for anal cancer, and unfortunately, the nerve damage has grown unbearable over the past 5 years, but especially these past several months. The foot neuropathy started about two years ago and that's when I was diagnosed with lumbar radiculopathy (referred pain from my back to my feet). I suffer with radiation proctitis, lumbar multilevel degenerative disc disease and a fractured sacrum, all brought on by chemo and radiation. I am not diabetic, but I could stand losing 25 pounds. Before treatment for cancer, I was very active both mentally and physically. But in the past several months I feel like I am losing myself. I can't fix me anymore and that is my worst fear. My energy has taken a nosedive, too, and I can't pull myself out of it. I'm angry because I'm not ready to give in and allow the many stages of pain to control me. I need a strong pain killer but good luck in getting it.

I have been a naturopath for years. If something in my body seemed out of whack, I would find a resolve using supplements, exercise and research. You could say I'm a “health-fad nut”. I'm always looking for something natural to help me carry on as a centenarian in training. (not a joke). Recently my PA mentioned Alpha Lipoic Acid to me. She also mentioned non-dairy and plant-based foods to help with inflammation in my body and to control cholesterol levels. I'm adhering to all three modalities. And next week I will have blood work done again. Hope it’s good.

Naturally I did my research on Alpha Lipoic Acid and my question is, how many mg of R-ALA stabilized should I take daily? For seven days I've been taking 100mg. But yesterday, I started taking 300mg daily. I'm not sure if I should go with 300 or 600mg. One of my PT’s takes 240mg. MY PA takes ALA, too, but I didn’t think to ask her how much. But I will ask her next week.

Once again, I am using myself as a human guinea pig. And I've been doing that for years. I don't know how long it takes for this product to ease the nerve pain. I just know that I am not feeling an improvement yet. My greatest desire is to be able to walk without pain. My hip joints lock up on me. My back hurts so bad I feel the need to sit. Shopping is becoming a real problem. I find myself pulling out my roll-on pain gel stick and rolling in over my back and parts of my leg, in public (with discretion). Walking to the dumpster where I live, pulling a light basket, is a problem. It's just a few doors from me, but I feel the need to sit because of the pain in my right hip joint area and sacrum. I have no life and it's really getting to me. I know this is a long-winded message, but I need to talk. I need to vent. Thank you to those who are listening and feeling my pain. I reciprocate and feel yours, too. Always. Hugs for relief and personal freedom. CB