Supplements - What helps nerve pain and/or neuropathy?

I use Mary Jane's salve . It is 70 % thc and 30 % cbd . I mix it with magnesium lotion . I put it on my feet before I go to bed. It stops the tingling and burning .

I am getting it done at Dakota IV center . Look it up on line .

I take Metanx

I was misdiagnosed with gout around 25 years when I had a swollen red painful big toe on my left foot. This continued, even though I never had high uric acid. Eventually the pain was so bad, about 3 years ago, my doctor reluctantly sent me to a rheumatologist who at first agreed but after tests said I never had or did have gout and said to see a neurologist immediately. After checking my reflexes (which doctors don't do any more) and my hands, he said I had peripheral neuropathy and immediately put me on Jarrow ALA as he conducted tests to verify. After 3 weeks I had a lot of relief but switched to Pure Encapsulations which was much more expensive but provided much more relief. I eventually was taking 2400 mg to get rid of all the pain. After though losing 50 pounds, I'm now taking 1200 mg a day. There's no pain, a little redness, and a little crunchiness.

I recently was diagnosed with breast cancer and am taking Letrozole. I'm now feeling numbness in my legs which I didn't have before. I've also seen on Sloan Kettering Site that during radiation, one shouldn't take antioxidants such as A,C,E and ALA. I was not told this by my hospital. Unfortunately my neurologist has retired and I couldn't get an immediate appointment with the practice at my hospital. Is there any advice or experience anyone can provide?

Thanks

Hello @deluga, Welcome to Connect. There are some discussions in the Breast Cancer where you can learn what others have shared and might be helpful.

-- Letrozole: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/letrozole/
-- B1(Thiamine) levels checked if you have nerve problems with cancer: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/b1thiamine-levels-checked-if-you-have-nerve-problems-with-cancer/

Also, there is an older discussion from 2016 that mentions neuropathy side effects from taking Letrozole -- Breast Cancer and Neuropathy: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/just-to-say-hello/

While we wait for members with experience to respond, I did find this article that addresses your question -- What You Need to Know About Taking Antioxidants During Your Radiation Therapy: https://www.uhn.ca/PatientsFamilies/Health_Information/Health_Topics/Documents/What_You_Need_to_Know_about_Antioxidants_and_Your_Radiation_Therapy.pdf

I’d also recommend you speak with your oncologist who work very closely with pharmacist on cancer treatment clinics. Between the two you should be able to get some help. Pharmacist know a great deal more about meds than docs especially those in speciality fields. Good luck

Has anyone used R-ALA? That is R- Alpha Lipoic Acid? I am new to this...about 4 months of idiopathic PN thus far. I have quite a bit of pain in my feet ankles abdomen sinuses and ears. I am taking 1200mg of Gabapentin. Is it good idea to add R-ALA?

Hello @pacodennis. I noticed you are interested in connecting with others on the R-ALA supplement so you will see that I have moved your post into an existing discussion on the topic of supplements for neuropathy here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/supplement-recommendations-can-help/

Members such as @sunnyflower @busterbrown and @johnbishop have all mentioned the supplement you are interested in and may be able to share their experiences.

Is this something you have asked your neurologist about, by chance? If so, what information were you given?

I take all the B vitamins in a gummy. I’m new to finding things that will work to reduce the hell of pain. Just started to really control the carbs and sugars. It helps. Good Luck to you. I hope something helps. We are in the same pain boat but I don’t have it in my arms, my legs, toes and feet

Legs toes and feet is where neuropathy is concentrated.