1. < Neuropathy

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.

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

davidpn | @davidpn | May 24, 2023
In reply to @davidpn "There are some brands more known than others. Most of my supplements are from Best Naturals..." + (show)
@davidpn

There are some brands more known than others. Most of my supplements are from Best Naturals including R-Alpha Lipoic Acid. You want that R in front to avoid synthetic ingredients. Other companies I go to include Drs. Best and NOW.

I do 300 mg., twice a day. My neurologist recommended splitting the dose to avoid possible side effects.

Hope that helps.

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I also agree with taking Benfotiamine.

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richardr | @richardr | May 27, 2023
In reply to @patrickski98 "I was taking rAlpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) for my peripheral neuropathy with nearly 100% effectiveness. I..." + (show)
@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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Has anyone used PDEF5 (erectile dysfunction med)? Male or female for SFPN? There are some very positive results in the literature. Here is one for reference.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5361504/

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ellbee | @ellbee | Jun 5, 2023
In reply to @njed "I took ALA for about 18 months, didn't see a difference. I then switched over to..." + (show)
@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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ALA works best when taken with Vitamin B-12 and
Bentathiamine (sp?). Taking this has really made a difference in my pain level.

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1 reply
jscar98 | @jscar98 | Jun 5, 2023
In reply to @ellbee "ALA works best when taken with Vitamin B-12 and Bentathiamine (sp?). Taking this has really made..." + (show)
@ellbee

ALA works best when taken with Vitamin B-12 and
Bentathiamine (sp?). Taking this has really made a difference in my pain level.

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I've been taking it for couple of weeks. How long did it take befor you started to get some relief?

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luckyride | @luckyride | Jun 6, 2023
In reply to @patrickski98 "I was taking rAlpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) for my peripheral neuropathy with nearly 100% effectiveness. I..." + (show)
@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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I am taking R-alpha lipoid acid….I am going to try it to see if it helps with my neuropathy I will let you know if it works for me. I have MGUS Monoclonal gammopathy undetermined significance. I believe MGUS gave me the nerve problem. MGUS is a precursor to multiple myeloma. I am tested for the disease every six months. Every day I wonder if It will change over to cancer. I had it awhile but never new until my GP found it in my blood work. MGUS can cause other issues.

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bettyg81pain | @bettyg81pain | Jun 6, 2023
In reply to @patrickski98 "I was taking rAlpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) for my peripheral neuropathy with nearly 100% effectiveness. I..." + (show)
@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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Those of you that have had the spinal stimulator inserted-how much pain, etc did you experience from where the wires come through the skin? Getting ready to have it done and when the instructions said to take Tramadol for pain-I thought uh oh!!

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tgcorin | @tgcorin | Jun 7, 2023
In reply to @patrickski98 "I was taking rAlpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) for my peripheral neuropathy with nearly 100% effectiveness. I..." + (show)
@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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I have ordered these pills from Nervive, but first I want to ask my Dr. if I can take them with all the BP and heart meds and supplements I take. Is there a best way to add them to your meds menu?
Georgia.

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bettyg81pain | @bettyg81pain | Oct 14, 2023

I'm confused - one bottle of 200 mg "Pure" Alpha Lipoic Acid capsules recommends taking 1 capsule a day-another bottle I have NAR-Alpha Lipoic Acid 600 mg instructions say take 2 daily. What does "Contains no S-Alpha Lipoic Acid" mean? Anyone familiar with either of these???

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1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Oct 15, 2023
In reply to @bettyg81pain "I'm confused - one bottle of 200 mg "Pure" Alpha Lipoic Acid capsules recommends taking 1..." + (show)
@bettyg81pain

I'm confused - one bottle of 200 mg "Pure" Alpha Lipoic Acid capsules recommends taking 1 capsule a day-another bottle I have NAR-Alpha Lipoic Acid 600 mg instructions say take 2 daily. What does "Contains no S-Alpha Lipoic Acid" mean? Anyone familiar with either of these???

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Hi @bettyg81pain, You will notice that we merged your post into an existing discussion on the same topic here:
--- Alpha lipoic acid for Neuropathy: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/alpha-lipoic-acid-2/.

R-Alpha Lipoic Acid is the form found naturally in the body and S-Alpha Lipoic Acid is a synthetic byproduct created during the production of Alpha Lipoic Acid. Here's a little more details with a better explanation of why you want R-ALA vs S-ALA.
"Following the ingestion of R,S-lipoic acid, peak plasma concentrations of R-lipoic acid were found to be 40%-50% higher than S-lipoic acid, suggesting better absorption of R-lipoic acid." --- Lipoic Acid: https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/lipoic-acid

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1 reply
bettyg81pain | @bettyg81pain | Oct 15, 2023
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi @bettyg81pain, You will notice that we merged your post into an existing discussion on the..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi @bettyg81pain, You will notice that we merged your post into an existing discussion on the same topic here:
--- Alpha lipoic acid for Neuropathy: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/alpha-lipoic-acid-2/.

R-Alpha Lipoic Acid is the form found naturally in the body and S-Alpha Lipoic Acid is a synthetic byproduct created during the production of Alpha Lipoic Acid. Here's a little more details with a better explanation of why you want R-ALA vs S-ALA.
"Following the ingestion of R,S-lipoic acid, peak plasma concentrations of R-lipoic acid were found to be 40%-50% higher than S-lipoic acid, suggesting better absorption of R-lipoic acid." --- Lipoic Acid: https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/lipoic-acid

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Thank you for your information!! Looking at my 2 different containers of
Lipoic Acid-from what you have replied, the NAR-Alpha 600 mg Lipoic Acid is
the one to be taking vs the Pure Alpha Lipoic Acid since the first one
specifies that theirs contain no S-Alpha Lipoic Acid and the Pure does not
specify that at all. Directions say take 2 if tolerated-think I will start
with one since I am taking a lot of different things now. Again, thank you
so much for the information!!.

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