rpierro (@rpierro)

@johnbishop – I too have experienced relief by using vitamins and supplements. I have idiopathic small fiber neuropathy but have no pain. I had numbness on feet to my knees and tingling that was the biggest bother at night on both. I have a long history of degenerative disc disease issues , but I control it with exercise and lots of walking. I also started Yoga in January. The doctors say my back is not the cause of the neuropathy. I started taking a multivitamin, b complex and alpha lupeic acid as recommended by the rheumatologist. He said there have been some good studies about b vitamins and alpha Lopeic and he would add in a multi vitamin. Almost overnight after adding in the multi vitamin the pins and needles and tingling disappeared completely and the numbness diminished just to the ankle on one foot and just the bottom of the foot on the other foot. It's hard for me to believe this can't be related. Regardless if it's the "fix" it's worth a try. nutrition is often overlooked so I should add that I stopped eating meat in March and eat a natural food diet as I always have. None of which would hurt anyone while they look for their answers. I consider myself very lucky in comparison to most, but thought it might be worth sharing this little bit.

I am 20 plus years survivor of breast cancer, DCIS. I had a lumpectomy and radiation and chose not to do the tamoxifen. Your decision depends on you and your family, along with your oncologist input and type of cancer you had. When I had cancer i had to come to terms with the fact that it was my decision and not someone else's on how it is treated. The other disappointment I had and still do to some extent is the lack of connection with the naturopaths and medical teams and dietitians when it comes to these decisions. I made the right decisions for the times but if it were today, I might think twice about radiation for what I had, and would include a vegetarian or vegan diet and use only natural personal care products as my road to good health. The only side effect I had (that I know of) with radiation therapy was a terrible skin rash on my breast that the radiologist said was not caused by radiation, but I got another opinion from a dermatologist and she said it definitely was. It was treated with cortisone and did not return. I did use supplements during radiation and went about my daily life and work. Again, this is such a personal decision that may not be best for you.

Hi John,
I know we all wish that a cure and a cause could be found. Meanwhile this is sure a good place to find what works for some and I've sure learned a lot. I've had all the testing possible and have even been sent to a rheumatologist by my neurologist to be sure it was not autoimmune. It is not. Still no known cause but I had little to no pain – at least that others have experienced. I've had some shooting pains to give me a feel for what they experience. The rheumatologist here in Boulder, CO that I went to said there have been some very convincing studies that B complex or B6 combined with Alpha Lopeic acid have helped some neuropathy. you probably can find the study somewhere. this combination hasn't helped me, but I continue to take them. The rheumatologist said it's certainly worth trying it. He also recommended multiple vitamins in the hopes that it is a lack of a vitamin or mineral.
I recently started taking a natural multiple vitamin. Within 24 hours the tingling started to subside and now is almost non-existent, however I still have the numbness. Losing the tingling is wonderful and I hope it stays away. it had been getting worse for the last 2 years.I must say, I'm not convinced it was the multiple vitamin that helped, because I also have been doing Yoga since January, and since I believe my numbness and tingling could be related to my back (however an MRI said no stenosis) I think the Yoga could be helping.I've had back issues for 30 years or more. (degenerative disc disease) I also switched Calcium pills recently since I've read that some pills have a carrier in them that may cause issues with neuropathy. I also wanted to mention that for Carpal Tunnel some have said that there are some shoulder exercises that
some have done to ease this pain, so a PT or a certified yoga instructor would be who I'd ask for a referral. Take it for what it's all worth, but I thought since you've used some alternative methods for relief, I thought I should add mine in. It's too bad we have to do our own research on this, but it's not the only disease that lacks proper research for a good answer.

Hi John, Thank you so much for this information. This has helped me to decide what I think is the right treatment for me at this point. As for what helps me that I know, I continue to walk about 3 miles a day – which helps my back issues (they say is not the cause of my neuropathy, but I'm doubting this) I have tried Bcomplex and alpha lopeic acid that didn't seem to do anything however several doctors say there is multiple evidence these may help for some. I'm going to try more multi vitamins and supplements and continue B Complex. I notice the tingling is worse after yoga which to me says it could be related to back or hips somehow even though the MRI says no. I have one alcohol drink a day and am considering stopping that thinking it may worsen the tingling, but hey life is too short to cut out too much right? I feel fortunate that I don't have the pain associated with my neuropathy and since I'm active during the day, night time and when I'm sitting is the worst reminder of the tingling and drives me nuts trying to think of the cause.

Thank you for your feedback on this! It sure helps to hear everyone's struggles. Yes, from what I've seen there isn't a good treatment other than pain medication. Fortunately for me, I do not have pain with this (so far) I've decided to not do the skin biopsy for now and continue on with vitamins and supplements. My best to you.

thank you so much for your response. Since I don't have pain now, my biggest concern is stopping the progression. I'm fairly certain that none of the doctor's have anything to stop progression from what I've learned so far, therefore I've decided to wait on the skin biopsy and continue vitamins and supplement treatments for now.

I used to have severe leg cramps, but when on a medical mission where we ate Avocados daily, I suddenly realized I had none. I now be sure I have calcium with magnesium and potassium supplements as well as avocados and bananas regularly in my diet. the only time I have leg cramps now is if I forget to do any of these. I hope this might be a simple fix for you – at least it is worth a try.

Thank you! that is my feeling as well. Hoping you are doing fine after 20 plus years with this? I also have no pain and walking and driving are my biggest fears as well as how much further it could progress. Have a nice weekend. Rose