How much R-ALA to take?

@aunttonipage
I am not diabetic but have idiopathic small fiber neuropathy confirmed via skin punch biopsy.

I take alpha Lipoic acid combined with acetyl l carnitine, magnesium, vitamin b12, vitamin d. When my foot pain started, I started out taking 600 mg alpha Lipoic acid. If the pain is really bad, you could take it 600 mg in day and again at night. If you feel more comfortable, you could start at 200mg or 300mg once or twice a day to see how you do. It took me about a month to notice improvements. It does not bother my stomach at all. Now, I just take it at night. Sometimes, neuropathy pain can be worse at night when trying to sleep.

Hi, yes I also have idiopathic neuropathy, I have been dealing with this for over 8 yrs.I take R Alpha Lipoic Acid 600 mg once a day. Acetyl L Carnite with Alpha lipoic Acid. 525mg Of the Aceryl 225mg of Alpha lipoic acid, Benfotiamine 300mg once a day. Magnesium 400mg twice a day. These supplements are all for neuropathy Oh also B12. Do they all work? Who knows but at this point I am afraid to stop. Exercise and stretching are key. I do take Gabapentin (UGH) 100mg in AM 200 mg PM. I have burning in feet at night, not every night. The 2 things that are hardest for me are balance issues, no cane yet, I have several along with walking sticks, only use when in crowds. The other hard thing is stabbing pain in left thigh, just awful, fainted once from horrific pain. THAT happens about once a month, cannot figure out WHY?? Thoroworx helps with stabbing pain. Dr says it is nerve pain? Good luck in quest to find relief, hope this is helpful.....

(85-year old male, 10 years with PN) I took 125 mg of ALA for 5 years and felt it minimized the intensity of my foot numbness. However, as I thought the numbness going up both legs, I increased the dose to 300 mg per day to some effect (stopped the numbness from going higher). I am also taking Super Vitamin B Complex and keeping my primary physician in the loop.

curious why you say UGH to Gabapentin?

I wonder that too. Gabapentin ,300 mg 3 times a day helps my neuropathy. I'm 83. It even gives me a happy little "high" about 20 minutes after taking it. I get a flash of "happy" and I think, "Oh, it's the gabapentin."

😄”little flash of happy” I don’t get that☹️, but it has helped tremendously with plantar fascitis pain. Anyway, not “UGH”! And I am grateful.

I'm glad it helps you! I know so many people don't like gabapentin. We are lucky!

Hi avalyn, I take 300mg a day of Gabapentin, I do not like taking any drugs if not necessary, I even shy away from Tylenol. Gabepentin can harm many organs, live, kidney just to name 2. I stopped taking it for 2 weeks and the burning in my thighs came back with a fury, took gabapentin 100mg and burning went away. I know now that I need to take it. Hoping that I do not have to increase dosage. Google it and see downside of gabapentin .

Good morning
I have been diagnosed with CIDP and the pain, numbness and tingling was terrible. I was started on gabapentin 900mg three times per day and it took all the pain away but I was very drowsy! I have lowered my dose to 300 mg in the morning and 900mg at bedtime. That works great for me. I also take ALA 200mg in morning and 400 mg in evening…. The majority of the time I am pain free during the day and at bedtime…. I have had to adjust my doses to finally have relief of my pain and not be to drowsy. Also I have found that medical doctors are not advocates of ALA. I have found that GOOGLE
scholar has a great deal of articles that are helpful.

I have the stabbing pain in the back of my thigh. Doing thigh stretches several times a week stops it. Sitting too much tightens the muscles in the back of the thigh. We used to call that stabbing pain a “Charlie Horse.” It’s horrible!