Has anyone tried red light and nutrition suppliments?

Welcome @franchisejones, Back in 2016 when I first joined Connect I had looked at something similar offered at a neuropathy clinic in Minnesota but decided against it based on the cost and the fact that they told me there are no guarantees it will help with the numbness and I don't have pain with my neuropathy. I shared my neuropathy journey in another discussion here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/310341/. You really have to do your research on the different treatments as there is no cure but there are treatments that may or may not provide relief for your symptoms (my non medical opinion).

I do think supplements have helped me slow the progression of my neuropathy but it's something that is good to check with your neurologist or primary care doctor before starting on any supplements. The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy has a lot of helpful information if you haven't already seen it - https://www.foundationforpn.org/vitamins-and-supplements-for-nerve-health/.

While you wait for other members to respond, you might find it helpful to scan through the discussions and comments from other members who have mentioned "cold hands and feet with numbness" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/.

It can be overwhelming trying to navigate the available treatments, especially since there are so many neuropathy "cure" scams waiting to take our money. How was the two session evaluation treatment? Did you notice any difference?

I would stay away from the offer you received at the seminar. I use Gabapentin (900mg/day), R-Alpha Lipoic Acid (600mg/day) and supplement vitamins. As you know there is no cure. My receipe, with neurologist approval, is not making my PN disappear - IMHO it is preventing progression of the bad animal. Good Luck! ... and have faith.

Hi @franchisejones ,

I have had d redlight therapy (twice), I did take supplements, and I have used Shockwave therapy. They all worked. They did not get rid of the neuropathy but calmed it down. The redlight therapy needed 16 visits to a chiropractor, my insurance did pay for a portion of that. The improvement was definitely noticeable. I took supplements aimed specifically for neuropathy but my Vitamin B levels were a we bit high, so still take supplements just a lesser level. I have used the Shockwave treatment if I have done something that truly annoys the nerves. For me a really bad allergy event. The constant in my feel feeling better is massaging them, especially the toes every night with a moisturizer, I use Cerave. I exercise, and I eat less sugar and no artificial sugar (allergic to all of them).
Regards,
JFN

Red light is working for me. Slow but sure. A problem that took years to develop isn't going away on the sudden. I made my own instruments for a cost of about $150. All you need is a array of LEDs and a pulse generator.

I just joined Planet Fitness gym. They have a "Black Card Membership" that includes red light therapy, as well as hydromassage, regular massage chairs, tanning, etc., along with all of the usual gym equipment and then some. I'm looking forward to giving red light a try! I've been on 75mg of Lyrica 3x/day since about 2023. My energy level is somewhere in my socks, and I've gained so much weight. I have a lot of pain/burning/numbness in my feet, and now I've got sciatica or something like it. I need to do what I can to keep myself moving. It's not going to get any easier with age!

@brennankb55 I have been using red light therapy daily for 7 years. It has taken away the pain in my feet and the numbness has not increased. I have added alpha Lipoic acid and vitamin B12 sublingual and my balance and energy are better!

That's encouraging. I'm about ready to try it since it's working for you and others. Thanks.

@joannehart That's great to hear! I've been taking R-ALA 600mg in capsule form for years, and I take Liposomal B-12 daily. I'm looking forward to giving the red light therapy a try, not just for the PN but also for my low back/sciatic pain. I've had idiopathic PN for the past 10 years which has gotten progressively worse. I have a few different topicals that I use in the evening before bed to help calm the nerves. When one topical stops working, I switch to another one. I'm also seeing a spine specialist next week, and a different neurologist in June. Sadly, I don't really think they will say anything I haven't already heard. However, I'm curious about getting off Lyrica and giving Elavil a try. I know it has it's own side effects too - they all do. But will it help me with managing the pain? Trial and error is the name of the game!

I have a red light device and have used it for years. I don’t have pain but get tingling sensations due to spinal stenosis, overuse and covid. It definitely helps you can see order a home device for less than $2k and use it any time you want. The key is the spectrum of light. The newer ones also pulse both red and infrared light.

@franchisejones

I am getting red light therapy for treatment of shin shave biopsy wound that is 12 weeks old. I had considerable leg pain but with red light therapy, massage and exercises at PT for my feet, I am feeling better. Getting rid of the leg pain will probably take time but it sure beats surgery. As for my neuropathy, I keep a strict gluten free diet and I do notice that weather changes are influential in the amount of sensations in my feet. Last night I had the burning heel pain and I am still trying to figure out why it comes on some nights and not on others. Body awareness and awareness of our surroundings are a must. Treatment for neuropathy and other autoimmune conditions need not be so expensive. I was paying $3400 for a concierge physician and I felt his fee was out of line. You can do research on your issues and use this website to gain insight into what worked for others.