1. < Neuropathy

Specific ALA Recommendations Needed

Posted by cecelia19 @cecelia19, Nov 17 3:10pm

I’ve been taking ALA 600 mg since August after my PN exploded to the next stage. No neurologist I’ve seen, even at a major medical center will answer me
1) R form, S form, or combination (their answer is always it doesn’t matter, just make sure you take 600mg).
2) Brand
3) Does it matter if you take it with or without food?
4) Time of day
5) Is there any benefit to taking more than 600mg?

I take two 300mg (total 600mg) of a timed release “S” form but I will gladly change to anything that will be the most beneficial. As I understand it, ALA treats the underlying nerve condition rather than just mask the pain. My goal is to stop or slow the progression of my SFN. Since no neurologist has been able to give me answers to any one of these questions, does it truly not matter which one I use?

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

groverb24 | @groverb24 | Nov 17 10:17pm

My neurologist recommended (1) 600 mg ALA per day... not sure if time of day is important or with?without food. My symptoms are so severe in my feet Im not sure if I could feel any benefit. My best OTC product is CBD/THC cream to settle the nerve agitation. Hope this helps.

REPLY
2 replies
cecelia19 | @cecelia19 | Nov 17 10:21pm

Thank you for your help. I have a topical from Mary’s Medicinals but it is more of a balm than a cream and hard to spread. Could you tell me what brand of cream this is?

REPLY
1 reply
harley22 | @harley22 | Nov 18 2:11am
In reply to @groverb24 "My neurologist recommended (1) 600 mg ALA per day... not sure if time of day is..." + (show)
@groverb24

My neurologist recommended (1) 600 mg ALA per day... not sure if time of day is important or with?without food. My symptoms are so severe in my feet Im not sure if I could feel any benefit. My best OTC product is CBD/THC cream to settle the nerve agitation. Hope this helps.

Jump to this post

I also have severe neuropathy like you in both my feet.
Can’t even stand on them at times without wobbling, and they hurt me every day.
Please let us know if the ALA helps you if you take it.
Thanks!

REPLY
dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | Nov 18 7:06am

I have heard the R form is better and have been taking ALA of all forms for almost 8 years. It has helped me. I take mine at night to help minimize symptoms while sleeping. Capsaicin neuropathy creams have helped but can’t recall the brand names. There are lidocaine creams and Rollins that can help temporarily, too. I like the Salonpas brand. I also take Acetyl L Carnitine supplements which are known to help neuropathy, too.

Here are the creams I just ordered on Amazon.
https://a.co/d/fcZrbNH
Here is the brand of combined alpha Lipoic acid and Acetyl l carnitine supplements I also recently bought.
https://a.co/d/6bk913I

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2 replies
alfer | @alfer | Nov 19 7:12am

I have been taking two pills and a foot cream that have helped me significantly. They are: Nervive, which has besides B12 complex 300 mg S-ALA; 300mg Immunovite R-ALA and Mama Bear Oasis cream, which has magnesium in it. It sounds crazy but it seems to really work for me. Give it a try. In any event my understanding is that S-ALA is “synthetic “ and not as effective as R-ALA which is a natural ingredient!

REPLY
1 reply
pumpiron3 | @pumpiron3 | Nov 19 9:41am
In reply to @dlydailyhope "I have heard the R form is better and have been taking ALA of all forms..." + (show)
@dlydailyhope

I have heard the R form is better and have been taking ALA of all forms for almost 8 years. It has helped me. I take mine at night to help minimize symptoms while sleeping. Capsaicin neuropathy creams have helped but can’t recall the brand names. There are lidocaine creams and Rollins that can help temporarily, too. I like the Salonpas brand. I also take Acetyl L Carnitine supplements which are known to help neuropathy, too.

Here are the creams I just ordered on Amazon.
https://a.co/d/fcZrbNH
Here is the brand of combined alpha Lipoic acid and Acetyl l carnitine supplements I also recently bought.
https://a.co/d/6bk913I

Jump to this post

Thank you for sharing the information.

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domiha | @domiha | Nov 20 9:01am

Early on in my neuropathy journey, which began two years ago, I read that the supplements R-ALA and Benfotiamine could be helpful, along with Magnesium and Acetyl L-Carnitine. I take those daily. I have always ordered these supplements through Amazon, and I recently came across one that is a combo of 600mg R-ALA and 300mg Benfotiamine.... and I take one in the morning and one with dinner. I take the Magnesium Complex at bedtime because it supposedly helps with sleep. I take the Acetyl L-Carnitine with morning meds. I can't say for sure that ANY of these is helping.... as I have been on them for two years.... but I will continue to take them in the hope that they may prevent worsening of my symptoms... and so many others seem to swear by them. The best cream I have found (for ME) is RockSauce Fire. It has some Capsaicin in it... and when I massage my feet with it, it leaves them feeling warm for hours.... Hope this info my help.... Best wishes! Mike

REPLY
cecelia19 | @cecelia19 | Nov 20 7:58pm

It absolutely does - I appreciate sharing the details of your supplements. Thank you, Mike!

REPLY
cecelia19 | @cecelia19 | Nov 20 8:00pm
In reply to @alfer "I have been taking two pills and a foot cream that have helped me significantly. They..." + (show)
@alfer

I have been taking two pills and a foot cream that have helped me significantly. They are: Nervive, which has besides B12 complex 300 mg S-ALA; 300mg Immunovite R-ALA and Mama Bear Oasis cream, which has magnesium in it. It sounds crazy but it seems to really work for me. Give it a try. In any event my understanding is that S-ALA is “synthetic “ and not as effective as R-ALA which is a natural ingredient!

Jump to this post

Thank you for your advice and the details of what you use. I also have discovered the Mama Bear Oasis cream and it has been the topical that has helped the most.

REPLY
cecelia19 | @cecelia19 | Nov 20 8:03pm
In reply to @dlydailyhope "I have heard the R form is better and have been taking ALA of all forms..." + (show)
@dlydailyhope

I have heard the R form is better and have been taking ALA of all forms for almost 8 years. It has helped me. I take mine at night to help minimize symptoms while sleeping. Capsaicin neuropathy creams have helped but can’t recall the brand names. There are lidocaine creams and Rollins that can help temporarily, too. I like the Salonpas brand. I also take Acetyl L Carnitine supplements which are known to help neuropathy, too.

Here are the creams I just ordered on Amazon.
https://a.co/d/fcZrbNH
Here is the brand of combined alpha Lipoic acid and Acetyl l carnitine supplements I also recently bought.
https://a.co/d/6bk913I

Jump to this post

Thank you so much. There are so many OTC treatments out there that it is good to know what has helped for others to steer me in the right direction.

REPLY
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