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Supplements - What helps nerve pain and/or neuropathy?
I was diagnosed earlier this year with "Sensorimotor Peripheral Neuropathy" over my whole body, though I am not yet showing symptoms everywhere. I do have numbness in all my toes, feet, a large section of my upper right thigh, large section of the side of my left calf, occasional ... numbness in my hands in the middle of the night. Anyway, my neurologist did suggest Alpha Lipoic Acid (otc supplement) to help with the neuropathy. She said that although studies suggest people who also have diabetes have had some success with taking this (I don't have diabetes), she said I might get some help from it. So, yep, it's been about 8 months I have been taking 600mg/daily and it seems to have helped lessen my feelings of 'burning feet'. I am going to increase my dosage to 800mg when I finish my current bottle. I use a brand that has no additives (colors, flavors, etc). Brand: Best Vitamins. Though I don't have diabetes, and it may be helpful only because I believe in it, that is something.
My husband periodically gives me massage on my ankles, tops of my feet and calves which seems to offer some help with the emptiness feeling on that lower part of my body. I am doing some reading research on any other supplements which could be of help. I try not to think about neuropathy too much, because I have since been diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension and CTEPH. I stick to reputable sites like the Mayo Clinic and PubMed as well as those of us who have personal experiences. Thanks to everyone here for your help. Maybe someday there will be a definitive cure for this wicked torture.
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Hello @pacodennis - I take R-ALA as one of the supplements to help with my neuropathy but I don't have any pain, just numbness. I know others have reported it helped with the neuropathy pain. If you do decide to try it, make sure you get the 100% - R-ALA vs the stuff that just says ALA. The cheaper stuff is normally contains 50% R-ALA and 50% S-ALA which is the synthetic stuff that doesn't help. Here's a few references that discuss how it helps...
-- Alpha Lipoic Acid
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/lipoic-acid
-- Research seeks to identify the mode of action of two age-essential micronutrients,
lipoic acid (LA) and acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR)
https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/research/hap/aging-stress-response-and-mitochondrial-decay
-- (R)-Lipoic Acid: Unique ‘Mitochondrial Antioxidant’ Fights Premature Aging
https://nutritionreview.org/2019/07/r-lipoic-acid-unique-mitochondrial-antioxidant-fights-premature-aging/
You can find a complete list of the supplements that help neuropathy symptoms on the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy site here: https://www.foundationforpn.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Complementary-and-Alternative-Treatments-Revised-2020-final.-1.pdf
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8 ReactionsFirst of all, thanks for the virtual hug! I have used Alpha Lipoic Acid but it did not help. It was used at the suggestion of the assistant to a Nutritionist I was referred to. I have an appt with him but can't get in to see him until November!
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1 ReactionI have used ALA now for 4 years. Does it help? Hard to know, since PN is progressive, I don't know what the degree of my PN would be if I didn't take it at all. So, I continue on using it since two docs suggested it to me. It has not decreased the neuropathy, but perhaps is helps slow it down?? So far, I've seen no negative aspects of it,
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3 ReactionsI've found great help for my diabetic neuropathy by taking a supplement containing both Acetl L-Carnitine and Alpha Lipoic Acid three times per day as directed. The brand I take is Best Naturals, though I suspect there might be other good brands also. I used to have to wear socks to bed even in the summer to keep the sheets from painfully rubbing my toes. That's no longer necessary! (A bit of patience is also recommended as it might take time for the improvement to become noticeable, but when it does, what a wonderful relief!)
Best wishes to all who suffer with this problem.
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4 ReactionsHi, my friends in pain.
I continue to pray for all of us.
... Will look into the 2 diabetic neuropathy supp, dought, am not diabetic.
Ps
AM on the 525 PROTOCOL NOW AND
WILL LOOK IF INCLUDED.
Try, the magnesium butter 100% natural, has helped me some. Worth the $9.00 purchase.
If not on your ft, try anywhere else. Just use it. Don't throw it. 👌Ok😇.
Blessings
Last,
AM LOOKING INTO P.E.M.F... Meaning:
PULSE
ELECTRO
MAGNETIC
FIELD.
It is generated by a machine..
Y'all LOOK INTO AS I AM
PLEADE SHARE YOURS FINDINGS.
Amen
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2 ReactionsBlessings John,
Add to your resources
“P.E.M.F “
Pulse-
ELECTRO-
MAGNETIC-
FIELD OF ENERGY
source by Tony Robbins: LIFE FORCE. A BOOK.
CHAPTER 11...
My son, into clinical trials and testing in a surgical procedure environment, is advising what to look for etc.
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3 ReactionsI switched to R Lipoic Acid. I found it to be superior. Look it up
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3 Reactions@johnbishop Thanks so much for the input about the kind of ALA you use, how much you are taking, and the link for purchasing it. I used ALA for a month but wasn't well educated enough to know the difference between the S-ALA and R-ALA. What I took did not help at all, and looking online just now at my previous purchase it was obviously the S-ALA. I told my neurologist I had tried ALA and that it had not helped. She said ALA was one of the things she always recommended but she never asked which kind I had used or offered up any information about the differences between the two. I may have already mentioned to you that I am looking for a new neurologist for many other reasons. This is just one more reason I need to keep looking.
You are a constant source of good and useful information. Many thanks!
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4 ReactionsMy feet hurt all day every day. Any suggestions.
Good evening @charlesbrown and welcome to Connect. Actually, this form is a group of patients, caregivers, and providers and we are great believers in sharing our experiences in hopes that we can learn from each other. With that said, I am going to have to ask you to share a little more of your neuropathy story so that others can respond.
Do your feet have numbness and what I call "tingle tangles" as well as pain? How long have you been dealing with neuropathy? It would also be helpful to know if you have received a diagnosis and what treatments, supplements, or medications you have already tried.
May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris
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