For me ALA works well but less is more. I only take 100 mg of NOW or Natural Factors brand and after taking it daily for 6 years I only have to use it every other day for the past 2 years. I still have a tiny amount of numbness in my feet and a rare breakthrough stinging that lasts only a few seconds but most of the time I'm just fine and don't even notice anything. I also take choline and super B complex on the days I don't take ALA. I stay away from salt and sugar and if I do have a breakthrough pain it's usually because I ate a sugary treat or I ate some really salty stuff and my legs are swollen a little bit. I don't have to take any prescribed medications or pain pills.