Peripheral Neuropathy - Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Posted by John, Volunteer Mentor @johnbishop, Aug 1, 2017

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is the term for medical products and practices that are not part of standard medical care. The August 1st Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy E-Tips email had an interesting article on complementary and integrative therapies. You can view the newsletter on their website at:

https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/integrative-therapies/

The newsletter has a section on Natural products including a list that includes a little information on each of the supplements/vitamins and what part they play in helping. I would like to invite others who have tried any of these or different natural products available over the counter to share their story.

Also, it's a good idea to discuss any additions of vitamins/supplements you are planning to take with your doctor team.

John

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

I get the most pain relief with Medical Marijuana. I also take Lyrica 600 mg four times daily for the shooting pains.

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@medic7054

I get the most pain relief with Medical Marijuana. I also take Lyrica 600 mg four times daily for the shooting pains.

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I totally agree. Without the benefits of MM, my quality of life would be minimal. Tell me more about Lyrica for the electric shock pains. Mine start between 4 and 5 am. When do you take it and how long does it keep what I call the Whoosies at bay?

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Thought I would share this upcoming webinar from the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy.

FPN Webinar: Thrive State: An Empowering Holistic Approach to Peripheral Neuropathy
Wed, Dec 7, 2022
After studying human performance and the longest lived populations on the planet, Dr. Kien Vuu has discovered the one trait that activates the biology of health, longevity, and human performance. The Thrive State is an energetic field - a state of being - that each of us can learn to harness to activate more health, resilience, and hope into our lives. The Thrive State is a holistic approach for patients with peripheral neuropathy (PN) or chronic illness. That even during times of uncertainty and hardship, we can access the Thrive State to unlock the resources within ourselves to heal and improve our health, spirit, and lives. Specifically, Dr. Vuu will address the major lifestyle changes that most improve symptoms of PN. In addition, Dr. Vuu will address specific nutrients known to improve PN as well as novel delivery systems that increase the delivery of nutrients to the body.

Coming to America as the only surviving infant on a refugee boat fleeing post-war Vietnam, Dr. Kien Vuu (aka, Doctor V) is no stranger to adversity. Once a minimally invasive surgeon who has overcome two chronic diseases, he is now a passionate health and human optimization champion and best-selling author of Thrive State: Your Blueprint for Optimal Health, Longevity, and Peak Performance. As one of the most sought-after performance and longevity physicians in the country, Dr. Vuu regularly works with celebrities, athletes, executives, and corporations to optimize their health, performance, and vitality. His mission is to empower people and organizations to reclaim their health and serve with fulfillment, abundance, and purpose. He enthusiastically shares his message on national TV shows such as The Doctors and Access Hollywood, keynote and corporate stages such as Whole Foods and Biohacking Conference, as well as with the next generation of physicians as assistant clinical professor at UCLA.

*Edited Jan 22, 2022 - Link to webinar YouTube video - https://youtu.be/tFPpsn4trh0

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I haven’t gotten relief from gabapentin and don’t like side effects. Has anyone had success with alpha loptic acid and /or LCarnatine? Any other suggestions? Diagnosed with moderate a Ute peripheral neuropathy.

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@janetmaxine

I haven’t gotten relief from gabapentin and don’t like side effects. Has anyone had success with alpha loptic acid and /or LCarnatine? Any other suggestions? Diagnosed with moderate a Ute peripheral neuropathy.

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I *think* I get some relief from alpha lopaic acid, but can't swear to it. I've seen papers showing evidence that it can help with diabetic, alcoholic, and 'idiopathic' neuropathy (and some rare types), and some of those papers seem pretty respectable. That said, it is supposed to work because these forms of neuropathy act at least partly through "oxidative stress" and ALA is an antioxidant. It probably wouldn't work for all neuropathies. None of those types is typically acute, though, so you might want to ask your doc. It's important to have as much info as possible as to what is causing your PN.

Also, while it's generally considered safe, some people have said there are cases where you should avoid it. I've seen kidney disease and people with lead poisoning being mentioned.

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@janetmaxine

I haven’t gotten relief from gabapentin and don’t like side effects. Has anyone had success with alpha loptic acid and /or LCarnatine? Any other suggestions? Diagnosed with moderate a Ute peripheral neuropathy.

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@janetmaxine I am sure John Bishop will reply soon but this is what he shared with me: https://www.foundationforpn.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Complementary-and-Alternative-Treatments-Revised-2020-final.-1.pdf

Supplements can help some but what Larry said is critical- knowing what is causing the neuropathy. In my case, mine is helped by steroids so my supplements are geared towards lowering inflammation.

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@janetmaxine

I haven’t gotten relief from gabapentin and don’t like side effects. Has anyone had success with alpha loptic acid and /or LCarnatine? Any other suggestions? Diagnosed with moderate a Ute peripheral neuropathy.

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Hello @janetmaxine, Welcome to Connect. There are a couple of other discussions on the same topic that might be helpful. Also, the link shared by @aaroncush is a good one that lists supplements that have been found to help the different neuropathies.

-- Supplements - What helps nerve pain and/or neuropathy?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/peripheral-neuropathy-complementary-and-alternative-medicine-cam/
-- Peripheral Neuropathy - Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM): https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/peripheral-neuropathy-complementary-and-alternative-medicine-cam/.

Also, this is the discussion on the Protocol 525 which I take and have found helpful for me.
-- Have you tried the new Protocol 525 product for neuropathy relief?:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/have-you-tried-the-new-protocol-525-product-for-neuropathy-relief/.

What are the symptoms that give you the most problem with your neuropathy?

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@janetmaxine

I haven’t gotten relief from gabapentin and don’t like side effects. Has anyone had success with alpha loptic acid and /or LCarnatine? Any other suggestions? Diagnosed with moderate a Ute peripheral neuropathy.

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I was up to 2700 mg of gabapentin per day when I started taking alpha loptic acid I now take 600 mg of gabapentin per day and 600 mg of acid getting the same results

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@janetmaxine

I haven’t gotten relief from gabapentin and don’t like side effects. Has anyone had success with alpha loptic acid and /or LCarnatine? Any other suggestions? Diagnosed with moderate a Ute peripheral neuropathy.

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Hello @janetmaxine and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. As @johnbishop shared, there is an existing discussion on complementary and alternative medicine for PN, so you will notice that I have moved you post here:
- Peripheral Neuropathy - Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM): https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/peripheral-neuropathy-complementary-and-alternative-medicine-cam/

I will let you respond to the members who have joined you to share.

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