1. < Neuropathy

Has Anyone Tried Chinese Herb Therapy?

Posted by bryanbay @bryanbay, Dec 9, 2022

I'm a 60's something male in my 5th year of idiopathic peripheral neuropathy. The condition steadily worsens; any particular six month period is worse than the previous period.

Lately I've been seeing an acupuncturist who, in addition to the needling, suggested I try a blend of Chinese herbs. The name of the blend is "Dang Gui Si Ni Tang"; its brewed into a tea.

I'm wondering anyone has heard of this tea or has experience with it.

Thanks

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bcool123 | @bcool123 | Dec 11, 2022

My peripheral neuropathy has caused my feet and now my calves to be so cold. Whether it’s the neuropathy or poor circulation caused by neuropathy. I wonder if anyone else with cold feet and legs have tried compression socks, and did they help. I don’t have swelling. Actually my calves have gotten so skinny I’m afraid compression sock won’t stay up.
Please place this post in the correct category. I didn’t know where else to post it.
Thanks Connect, Bcool123

REPLY
2 replies
fala | @fala | Dec 12, 2022
In reply to @bryanbay "Had a similar experience with my neurologist who used a cool electronic gadget to measure nerve..." + (show)
@bryanbay

Had a similar experience with my neurologist who used a cool electronic gadget to measure nerve conduction speed but then offered little on how to manage the symptoms. Did not have a good answer when asked if I had any questions; Didn't know what questions to ask because never have been through this before. There's no guide book on how to have neuropathy.

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When I read this, I cannot stop myself from commenting. Why in the world do Doctors think they can measure and study our pain, but dismiss us without any discussion or direction?? It is quite deceiving to go to a "neurologist" thinking they know about NERVE pain. We actually have to find out ahead of time if they "specialize" in PN....and hope for the truth. THEN, we HOPE (if they know and care) that we will walk away with some kind of instructions as to relieving or coping with this nasty disease. Ok, I know there is no "cure" for PN, but so many Doctors are seemingly proud of doing a bunch of tests and sending you on your way. At least go find out, get back to me, be helpful in pain reduction. (I know I am repeating myself). Maybe I am just upset that I have not found a qualified Doctor and have done "trial and error" on my own. So thankful for this site!

REPLY
1 reply
daphnebattle | @daphnebattle | Dec 12, 2022
In reply to @sf2021 "After taking it for a month, my burning pain was pretty much gone. I took for..." + (show)
@sf2021

After taking it for a month, my burning pain was pretty much gone. I took for another month just to make sure. But it did not get rid of my mouth burning (my burning sensation usually occurs on different parts of the body depending on the hour and mouth burning sensation was everyday). I went back to the herbalist and he gave me a different concoction of the herbs for the mouth burn. I have been on it for the past week and the burning sensation reduced by 80%. The verdict is whether the pain will come back after I stop taking it.
I would recommend that you try it. But make sure you go to a reputable one. Don’t get a full month worth of the herbs, just buy 5 to 7 days worth to try and see if you notice improvement. My herbalist said you should start to see improvement and if not, he needs to tweak the concoction (he didn’t need to in my case). The herbs were expensive but was worth it. I recommend brewing the herbs yourself (vs. buying it packaged).
No side effects for me except the tea tastes terrible. But it was worth it.

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How do you get these herbs I have extreme burning in arms and hands and it feels like electric bolts are flying through it

REPLY
1 reply
xian121905 | @xian121905 | Dec 12, 2022
In reply to @sf2021 "After taking it for a month, my burning pain was pretty much gone. I took for..." + (show)
@sf2021

After taking it for a month, my burning pain was pretty much gone. I took for another month just to make sure. But it did not get rid of my mouth burning (my burning sensation usually occurs on different parts of the body depending on the hour and mouth burning sensation was everyday). I went back to the herbalist and he gave me a different concoction of the herbs for the mouth burn. I have been on it for the past week and the burning sensation reduced by 80%. The verdict is whether the pain will come back after I stop taking it.
I would recommend that you try it. But make sure you go to a reputable one. Don’t get a full month worth of the herbs, just buy 5 to 7 days worth to try and see if you notice improvement. My herbalist said you should start to see improvement and if not, he needs to tweak the concoction (he didn’t need to in my case). The herbs were expensive but was worth it. I recommend brewing the herbs yourself (vs. buying it packaged).
No side effects for me except the tea tastes terrible. But it was worth it.

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Does your herbalist do tele doc visits? I have also heard of herbs helping and was curious

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1 reply
julkun | @julkun | Dec 12, 2022
In reply to @bryanbay "I'm not doing electro but would consider it, especially if there are others who have had..." + (show)
@bryanbay

I'm not doing electro but would consider it, especially if there are others who have had some improved results with it.

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read this: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5733739/#!po=75.3731
Best of luck!!!

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sf2021 | @sf2021 | Dec 12, 2022
In reply to @xian121905 "Does your herbalist do tele doc visits? I have also heard of herbs helping and was..." + (show)
@xian121905

Does your herbalist do tele doc visits? I have also heard of herbs helping and was curious

Jump to this post

My herbalist is Chinese and he barely spoke English. I think he understands better than he speaks. He is “old school”, and I don’t think he does teledoc visits. I went to visit him and he examined my pulse, my tongue in addition to hearing about my symptoms. He did not seem puzzled at all on my symptoms. I was encouraged there were many patients waiting for him when I got there.

If you can’t get a referral but you live in or near a major city, check out Chinatown or Asian commercial trade areas. They will likely have herbalists you can check out. Sorry I can’t be more helpful in your search. I ran out of options on finding pain relief and I’m glad I tried the herbs. I’m on gabapentin and cymbalta which still didn’t help me eliminate the burning pain. I am now starting to phase out the drugs gradually. I hope I continue to feel this way. I will report my progress.

REPLY
sf2021 | @sf2021 | Dec 12, 2022
In reply to @daphnebattle "How do you get these herbs I have extreme burning in arms and hands and it..." + (show)
@daphnebattle

How do you get these herbs I have extreme burning in arms and hands and it feels like electric bolts are flying through it

Jump to this post

I know your feeling, the burns, zaps, etc. if you live in a major city, try Chinatown or Asian towns. They are bound to have herbalists. Obviously if you can get a referral, that’s better but short of that, try Chinatown in your area. Also acupuncturists typically know good herbalists. It is important to see reputable ones since you wouldn’t know what each of the herbs do and look like. In mine, there were several different types of herbs, roots, etc which I boiled to drink daily. I note it was expensive (but I do live in NYC) - $17 per pack per day. But so far, it was worth every penny. I am keeping my fingers crossed. I have started to reduce the drugs gradually (drugs which still haven’t fully get rid of the burns and zaps) and see what happens.

I wish you the best in finding the right herbalist and hope it works for you.

REPLY
sharka | @sharka | Dec 13, 2022
In reply to @fala "When I read this, I cannot stop myself from commenting. Why in the world do Doctors..." + (show)
@fala

When I read this, I cannot stop myself from commenting. Why in the world do Doctors think they can measure and study our pain, but dismiss us without any discussion or direction?? It is quite deceiving to go to a "neurologist" thinking they know about NERVE pain. We actually have to find out ahead of time if they "specialize" in PN....and hope for the truth. THEN, we HOPE (if they know and care) that we will walk away with some kind of instructions as to relieving or coping with this nasty disease. Ok, I know there is no "cure" for PN, but so many Doctors are seemingly proud of doing a bunch of tests and sending you on your way. At least go find out, get back to me, be helpful in pain reduction. (I know I am repeating myself). Maybe I am just upset that I have not found a qualified Doctor and have done "trial and error" on my own. So thankful for this site!

Jump to this post

Oh yes, specialists! Thank God for internet search! Without it, so many people would suffer in even more pain and despair and possibly loneliness.
My neurologist even told me to google about sfn!
And my aunt spend sooooo much money on neurologist and rheumatologist, they told her lupus, or maybe rheumatoid arthritis. She internet searched and diagnosed herself with scleroderma, which then doctors confirmed! 🙄

REPLY
johnmacc | @johnmacc | Dec 13, 2022
In reply to @bcool123 "My peripheral neuropathy has caused my feet and now my calves to be so cold. Whether..." + (show)
@bcool123

My peripheral neuropathy has caused my feet and now my calves to be so cold. Whether it’s the neuropathy or poor circulation caused by neuropathy. I wonder if anyone else with cold feet and legs have tried compression socks, and did they help. I don’t have swelling. Actually my calves have gotten so skinny I’m afraid compression sock won’t stay up.
Please place this post in the correct category. I didn’t know where else to post it.
Thanks Connect, Bcool123

Jump to this post

Hi Bcool123. I too have freezing feet very often. My circulation tests have come in great so no problem there. I can't wear compression socks, and don't need them, because any pressure at all on my feet equals pain, even on max dose of gabapentin. I wear old stretched out thin socks and oversized footwear. I use an electric warming blanket on them at home and sometimes rub 4% lidocaine on them at nite which gives me about an hour of zero pain. Hope that helps. Johnmacc

REPLY
1 reply
bcool123 | @bcool123 | Dec 13, 2022
In reply to @johnmacc "Hi Bcool123. I too have freezing feet very often. My circulation tests have come in great..." + (show)
@johnmacc

Hi Bcool123. I too have freezing feet very often. My circulation tests have come in great so no problem there. I can't wear compression socks, and don't need them, because any pressure at all on my feet equals pain, even on max dose of gabapentin. I wear old stretched out thin socks and oversized footwear. I use an electric warming blanket on them at home and sometimes rub 4% lidocaine on them at nite which gives me about an hour of zero pain. Hope that helps. Johnmacc

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John, thank you for your reply. I wear pretty much the same shoes and socks that you do. I have found that life flow, magnesium lotion on my feet at night really helped warm them up. And heating pads and soaking my feet in warm water every morning I appreciate your response.
Bcool123

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