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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merlel | @merlel | Feb 23 6:57am

I tried that for about 8 months never helped me at all.

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Feb 23 10:37am

In reply to @merlel "I tried that for about 8 months never helped me at all." + (show)

Welcome @merlel, ALA is just one of many different supplements that have been shown to help with neuropathy. It may not work for everyone since neuropathy has many causes and something that helps some folks may not help others. Here are a lot more things to try:

— Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy – Treatments: https://www.foundationforpn.org/treatments/.

Do mind sharing a little more about your diagnosis and symptoms?

NJ Ed | @njed | Feb 24 6:12am

In reply to @johnbishop "Welcome @merlel, ALA is just one of many different supplements that have been shown to help..." + (show)

John, you are right – In Jan 2021, with doctor approval, I started using ALA 600 mg in morning with no help. Around Sept 2021, I added 600 mg with dinner and still no help. In June 2022, stayed with 600 mg 2 X daily but switched over to the R-ALA. I still don't see any help. This supplement can help for some but not everyone. I guess you are correct, it depends on the cause of the PN. In early Jan 2023, I cut back to 600 mg daily, no effects. I'm going to discontinue and see what happens. If I see an increase in PN symptoms, I'll certainly return to my 1200 mg. daily.

summerstar | @summerstar | Feb 25 12:47pm

I only have to take 100mg NOW brand ALA three times a week. I started out originally with 100 mg twice a day but as my symptoms improved I slowly cut back it has been very effective for the pain, the numbness and the creepy crawly sensations on my legs and feet. I always take it with food. My son on the other hand had no luck using it although I'm not sure how much he took. ALA has been a blessing for me. I also take a super b complex vitamin every day.

eirrol | @eirrol | Feb 25 1:27pm

Someone listed that ALA caused them heartburn and they switched to R-lipoic acid that did not cause them heartburn. I bought the latter but have not started it yet as I had a new blood pressure medicine that knocked my heart rate to dangerous low level so have to deal with that a bit first. But it was emphasized that they were taking R- lipoic acid, NOT alpha lipoic acid, nor R- Alpha lipoic acid. Don’t know if this helps, but thought I would mention it.
— eirrol

fabifabi | @fabifabi | Apr 18 8:13pm

I took 600 MG of alpha-lipoic acid for two days, which gave me bad stomach pain! I am diabetic and have RLS too, i would love to be able to use ALA without side effects.
Did anyone experience stomach pain from ALA?