Supplements - What helps nerve pain and/or neuropathy?

Posted by newzbug @newzbug, Nov 15, 2019

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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

bonniethompson1234 | @bonniethompson1234 | Oct 15, 2022

Has anyone tried magnesium for nerve pain relief?

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Oct 15, 2022

In reply to @bonniethompson1234 "Has anyone tried magnesium for nerve pain relief?" + (show)

Hi Bonnie @bonniethompson1234, You will notice that we moved your post to an existing discussion on the same topic here so that you can read about the supplements others shared that have helped their nerve pain.

-- Supplements - What helps nerve pain and/or neuropathy?:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/supplement-recommendations-can-help/
Magnesium is one of the supplements I use as part of a protocol of supplements to help with my neuropathy but I only have numbness and no pain. I shared my story earlier on Connect here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/310341/.

Here's another article that lists supplements that might help neuropathy pain.
-- Which supplements can help with neuropathy?:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326917

Chuck406 | @chuck406 | Oct 15, 2022

I just take a high potency multivitamin and minerals that I get from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/GMPVitas-MultiVitamin-Multivitamins-Supplement-Vitamins/dp/B012BL5XOI I tend to chew them and they don't taste horrible. The pills are a little large for me to swallow. Website says gummy, but they are not.

mannyk | @mannyk | Feb 9, 2023

In reply to @helennicola "Hi John, my experience taking ALA has been very positive for almost 2 years: I take..." + (show)

Hi Helen
I just now started using R-ALA for my peripheral neuropathy and I get it at Walmart . Here it is;
ALLMAX Nutrition, R+Alpha Lipoic Acid (Max Potency R+ALA), 150 mg, 60 Capsules.
Qty. 1 $11.99

mannyk | @mannyk | Feb 9, 2023

In reply to @chuck406 "I just take a high potency multivitamin and minerals that I get from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/GMPVitas-MultiVitamin-Multivitamins-Supplement-Vitamins/dp/B012BL5XOI I..." + (show)

Does it work???

helennicola | @helennicola | Feb 9, 2023

In reply to @mannyk "Hi Helen I just now started using R-ALA for my peripheral neuropathy and I get it..." + (show)

I’ve been taking 300 mg. 2 x day for 5 yrs; I’m not sure how helpful 150 mg. can be. 600 mg./day is typical. You can find RAla in 300mg. and 600 mg. on Amazon also in larger quanties. Hope it helps you. Just FYI

madison2023 | @madison2023 | Feb 10, 2023

In reply to @bonniethompson1234 "Has anyone tried magnesium for nerve pain relief?" + (show)

My neurologist recommended magnesium. I have only been taking it for a month so I am not sure how well it is working. For the most part I have been sleeping well which apparently magnesium helps with.

mikaylar | @mikaylar | Feb 11, 2023

Magnesium good as a laxative too. I use the powder. If you take too much you will get diarrhea. So you can play with it until you find what works for you.

aaron_az | @aaroncush | Feb 11, 2023

In reply to @mikaylar "Magnesium good as a laxative too. I use the powder. If you take too much you..." + (show)

That is true for magnesium citrate, but not for some of the other forms of magnesium. I take the magnesium lysinate glycinate version which has better absorption and less digestive distress. I call the citrate version magnesium dynamite for a reason ;).