L-glutamine for Chemo related Neuropathy

The peripheral neuropathy needles come in a variety of lengths. Needles of the appropriate length were used in each location. There is no need to worry about the needle placement hitting or piercing an organ. Needles of appropriate lengths are used so as to not disturb any organs. In addition, the insertion of the needles are not actually on any specific organ but in relative proximity to the nerves known to 'service' a specific area or organ. Manual and electro-acupuncture were jointly used to treat peripheral neuropathy in my feet, legs, hands, and arms and, as I have mentioned, with phenomenal results. For each distinct treatment location, 20 peripheral neuropathy needles were strategically inserted all around each site in locations where nerve 'channels', for lack of a better word, are located. For example in my specific case, 20 pn needles were strategically located all over my foot and extending partially up my leg. At the same time, another 20 pn needles were inserted in similar locations on my other foot and leg. This basically describes the manual acupuncture of which I spoke. For the electro-acupuncture part, 2 similarily colour-coded thin electrical wires were attached to specific needles of 2 of the acupuncture needles on each location while the needles in the other location (i.e. opposite leg) were similarily attached in the same pattern as were the first locations' attachments. Each leg had 1 red and 1 yellow coloured wire each strategically attached as described. All of the 4 colour-coded wires emanated from a small little box-like apparatus (similat to a tens machine) with a guage on it so the strength of electricity flowing through the wires could be appropriately regulated. Whether I was reciving manual or electro-acupuncture, each session was of 40 minutes in duration. In my situation, I was able to remain onsite for a tad over an hour before returning to get a second 40-minute treatment session. If treatment was for my hands and arms, the exact same procedure transpired except pn needles were strategicall located on each hand and arm.

In my case, not only have I received the pn treatments I described on my feet, legs, arms, and hands and when it was deemed my progress was very good/exceptional, then I had treatments of 40 minute in length, done on both of my osteoarthritic knees. The area around each kneecap (but not actually on the kneecap) had 20 pn needles strategically located around and in close vicinity to each kneecap. Again, I was able to receive both manual and electro-acupuncture treatments at separate 40 minute sessions. Acupuncture also woeked phenomenally on both of my osteoarthritic knees!

Thanks to the fabulous progress I was making, I had some treatments sessions performed in the same manner but concentrated on my lumbar spine as I have considerable discomfort in my lower lumbar back area. Again, the results were fantastic! The only thing related to my spine that acupuncture could not do anything about or with was the spinal stenosis I have on my lumbar spine. However, acupuncture cleared up any, and all, referred pain and discomfort emanating from my lumbar spine area.

When it was mutually agreed after assessment that a certain area(s) had reached a satisfactory state, then treatment for such locations bacame maintenance-focussed and followed the same pattern but with less treatment frequency.

I trust the response I provided is adequately detailed enough to give you a good understanding of the process through which I have gone. If you feel additional clarification may be required, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Murray

It comes and goes... sometimes it's obvious, and sometimes it's not. I think it's a process over time. I have a friend who is also using red light therapy and has been for longer than I have and he really notices a difference.

Murray3,
Thank you for taking the time to explain the acupuncture process. I called a local Acupuncturist and left a message with the receptionist asking about treating Cancer patients who are lacking an omentum and never got a call back so I figured they didn't. Your explanation puts my worries to rest.
Do you think it is necessary to find an Acupuncturist who is trained in treating cancer patients? I am not sure why it would be necessary.

You are very welcome. I hope what I was able to share was helpful.

I wouldn't worry about trying to find an Acupuncturist who is trained in treating cancer. As you are likely aware, there are not many oncologists who are trained or experienced in treating our cancer. I would think you would be extremely fortunate if you were able to locate an Acupuncturist trained in treating cancer. My recommendation would be not to concern yourself with this but rather focus upon locating a Doctor of Acupuncture who, through his/her training, would be well-versed in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy.

Murray

I had four rounds of Adriamycin and Cytoxan and 12 rounds of Taxol in 2015 for triple-negative breast cancer. I, too, was advised that L-glutamine was helpful for mitigating the neuropathy effects of chemo. I saw an article during that time mentioning that glutamine is necessary for cancer tumor growth and asked my oncology nurse if that meant I shouldn't after all take glutamine to deter Taxol neuropathy—she assured me that glutamine is used by patients all the time to counter Taxol's effects on our nerves and was okay for me to take. My husband also read in a scientific article that if you have cancer and try to restrict your glutamine, cancer cells will get theirs, even if they have to rob the good cells' glutamine—so no point in trying to minimize your glutamine intake.

In addition to the 500 mg L-glutamine I still take, I supplement with one 500 mg acetyl-L-carnitine capsule, one 600 mg N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) capsule and one 240 mg R-Lipoic Acid capsule daily.

I am still leery of L-Glutamine and wish I had not ever taken it after reading this tidbit on a University of Arizona webpage: "Glutamine should not be taken during paclitaxel (Taxol and Abraxane) and docetaxel (Taxotere) chemotherapy as it may increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy." No mention is made of after treatment.
https://toolkit.awcim.arizona.edu/cancertoolkit/l_glutamine.html
There also is no reference to the source of there information for this statement but it does give one pause. Since I am only 1 month post treatment I will continue to forgo that supplement but will look into acetyl-L-carnitine capsule, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) capsule, and R-Lipoic Acid.
Thanks for your input!

Looking through this post it seems that there are several approaches but yet nothing scientifically studied,

please tell me what “ALA” and “NAC” stand for.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) just two of a number of supplements that have been shown helpful for neuropathy symptoms relief. Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy has a good list here - https://www.foundationforpn.org/vitamins-and-supplements-for-nerve-health/.

Thank you!!!
☺️