Alpha lipoic acid for Neuropathy

Posted by bjbates53 @bjbates53, Oct 8, 2022

I have had CIDP for 20 years and have done fairly well. But when I have a setback, my legs are very weak. In the past, I have found ALA caps to help me a lot. However, I have reflux and can't tolerate it. A pharmacist suggesting putting the capsule inside an empty capsule and see if that would help. It did not. I take it with food and lots of water. Still causes problems. Has anyone tried ALA as a tablet and had success with it? Any other suggestions would be welcome. I also take Cerefolin NAC.

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@bettyg81pain

What mg are most people taking of the R ALA?

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600 mg. per day. I’m taking numerous vitamins and supplements so hard to say what works and what doesn’t unless I eliminate one to se if anything changes.
I started taking it because just about every article or video presentation mentions it. My neurologist mentioned there’s some evidence to support it. Get the R-Aplha Lipoic Acid version from natural ingredients.

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@patrickski98

I was taking rAlpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) for my peripheral neuropathy with nearly 100% effectiveness. I was admitted to the hospital for several days (an unrelated condition) and did not take the ALA. THE PN came back pretty hard. Has anyone else had experience with this product? Thank you.

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Ok not sure what subgroup this fits in but going to try here. Interested to learn of anyone that has used a CBD cream, lotion or ointment to help reduce pain, tingling, stabbing in feet due to diabetic peripheral neurapathy. CBD vs CBD w/THC? Full spectrum vs broad vs isolate? Cream, lotion or ointment? Appreciate any feedback you might have.

Thanks.

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@davidpn

Ok not sure what subgroup this fits in but going to try here. Interested to learn of anyone that has used a CBD cream, lotion or ointment to help reduce pain, tingling, stabbing in feet due to diabetic peripheral neurapathy. CBD vs CBD w/THC? Full spectrum vs broad vs isolate? Cream, lotion or ointment? Appreciate any feedback you might have.

Thanks.

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There's an older discussion with a lot of active members on the topic that might be helpful. I think Chris @artscaping may be able to provide some insight or suggestions.

--- CBD oil for pain: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cbd/

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@patrickski98

I was taking rAlpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) for my peripheral neuropathy with nearly 100% effectiveness. I was admitted to the hospital for several days (an unrelated condition) and did not take the ALA. THE PN came back pretty hard. Has anyone else had experience with this product? Thank you.

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Thanks John. That was helpful.

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@njed

I took ALA for about 18 months, didn't see a difference. I then switched over to R-ALA about 7 months ago, no help. I have no pain, sensory and motor PN. Perhaps this supplement is designed to reduce pain, but it did not help me with numbness and balance issues from polyneuropathy. Glad you were benefiting from the supplement. Clear that not all things work for everyone, I believe it has to do with the cause of the PN. Ed

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I just read your post. I am undiagnosed but your symptoms sound very familiar to mine. I don’t have pain but numbness is body wide. I have had so many tests all leading to nothing!! Do you have a name for your condition or do doctors just consider it polyneuropathy?? Thank you!

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@davidpn

Ok not sure what subgroup this fits in but going to try here. Interested to learn of anyone that has used a CBD cream, lotion or ointment to help reduce pain, tingling, stabbing in feet due to diabetic peripheral neurapathy. CBD vs CBD w/THC? Full spectrum vs broad vs isolate? Cream, lotion or ointment? Appreciate any feedback you might have.

Thanks.

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I have tried several with little success. I have found
Absorbine Veterinary Liniment Topical Analgesic Sore Muscle and Arthritis Pain Relief Warming Liniment Rub on Amazon. Cheap and works great for me.

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@patrickski98

I was taking rAlpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) for my peripheral neuropathy with nearly 100% effectiveness. I was admitted to the hospital for several days (an unrelated condition) and did not take the ALA. THE PN came back pretty hard. Has anyone else had experience with this product? Thank you.

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@oceanwinds - My official diagnosis from Mayo in MN was - idiopathic axonal sensory motor peripheral neuropathy. Or, yes polyneuropathy but I don't have autonomic. Of course, my first question was "what's that"? Well, since going to Mayo in Feb 2020 I have l earned a lot, reading mostly and I have to give the folks at Mayo a pat on the back for this forum because as far as I'm concerned, I've learned a lot from others who have this horrible disease. And I attribute a great deal of knowledge from our mentors and those who contribute. Mine is numbness with no pain right below the knees to toes and now a little in fingertips. Balance is horrible, have not been on my boat for 5 years. Standard progression I understand. Sorry to hear that your PN is body wide. I can't imagine what you are experiencing. I wish you the best and be safe in your journey through this and I hope someday you will get some answers. Ed

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@oceanwinds

I just read your post. I am undiagnosed but your symptoms sound very familiar to mine. I don’t have pain but numbness is body wide. I have had so many tests all leading to nothing!! Do you have a name for your condition or do doctors just consider it polyneuropathy?? Thank you!

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I have no name. The distortion simply said that it is PN. Sorry

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@joypalmer1

I started taking ALA about two months ago. I don’t have pain but I have tingling and vibrations in my hands and feet. Has anyone found that ALA helps for this? Or has anyone found anything else that might help with the tingling and vibrations?

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Intense massage from a vibrating mat/pad helps me. I am not talking about the kind that kind of kneads you or pounds on you but it is a very quick stimulating action. I put it under the soles of my feet or put it under my thighs when I am sitting it is very tingling and it does help me. I think I got it at Amazon. Good luck

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@patrickski98

I was taking rAlpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) for my peripheral neuropathy with nearly 100% effectiveness. I was admitted to the hospital for several days (an unrelated condition) and did not take the ALA. THE PN came back pretty hard. Has anyone else had experience with this product? Thank you.

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ALA works for me too. I took 100 mg 2xday for a few months, then lowered to 100 mg daily and now only 100mg on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Has kept everything under control for about 5 years now. I also take Super B complex which makes me feel energetic without caffeine and is good for nerve restoration and also choline because I never got over the pain after my gall bladder was removed and a patient shared that on a medical website and it works moderately well. I may not be cured, but I am managing it and rarely have breakthrough stinging or crawling sensations on my feet and legs and they only last a second, literally. I also make sure I don't let my legs and feet swell because that causes more problems so I lay down a while in the afternoon and use a recliner when I watch TV at night. I know the stinging, burning, itching, and crawly feelings can really make you suffer. My step mother was in agony from it and nothing the doctors did helped at all. She would cry and cry from the pain. She finally passed away and doesn't have to suffer anymore.

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