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Nerve pain (polyneuropathy) is hard to treat. Even heavy-duty narcotics may not ease the pain adequately.
This is bad news, especially for people with diabetes. Up to 16 percent of them may suffer with diabetic neuropathy and often get little help alleviating the pain. Certain supplements can be helpful, though.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid for Nerve Pain:
Q. My husband has suffered with polyneuropathy for three years. After his doctors said there was no cure, we located a cure at our vitamin store and want to share it with others.
He takes 600 mg of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) daily. We are elated with the results. We have a neighbor who also began taking it and he too is much improved.
A. A randomized, placebo-controlled study in Russia and Israel showed that 600 mg of ALA daily can greatly ease the symptoms of neuropathy such as stabbing or burning pain, numbness and “pins and needles” (Diabetes Care, Nov. 2006).
A recent article points out that ALA is one of the few treatments that has shown promise for diabetic polyneuropathy and calls for more research (Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews, online Feb. 5, 2013).
A meta-analysis from the Netherlands found that alpha-lipoic acid (600 mg/day) offered significant benefit for polyneuropathy (Diabetic Medicine, online Jan. 29, 2016). So did opioids, botulinum toxin A (Botox) and Thai foot massage-a surprising list.
Consider Benfotiamine:
Another non-prescription approach to this problem is benfotiamine, a synthetic form of the B vitamin thiamine. We learned about it from Charles Beauchamp, MD, PhD, several years ago. He recommends a starting dose of 300 mg twice a day to start with, and 150 mg twice daily as maintenance. After he made this recommendation, we heard from a reader:
“I appreciate the suggestion of benfotiamine for my foot pain. Within a month it has totally cleared up, and I am ready to move to a maintenance regimen.”
Much of the recent research on benfotiamine for polyneuropathy has been done in Eastern Europe and has not been published in English. German scientists who did a randomized controlled trial of benfotiamine found that it was well tolerated and helped ease pain (Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes, Nov., 2008). An earlier German study had also found that benfotiamine can alleviate polyneuropathy (International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Feb., 2005).
You’ll find more stories about benfotiamine at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Share your experience with remedies for nerve pain in the comments below.
Revised 7/7/2016
Connie A
My A1C is 6.1. I will be 75 Oct 15. I have had neuropathy symptoms in my legs at night for some time. Tried Gabapentin from my Dr. but they left me too woozy. For the last two months I have been using a nam-brand neuropathy support formula 600 mg, Alpha Lipoic Acid, 4 capsules a day. I hardly have any of the leg pain at night anymore.
Since they have many vitamins in the capsule, should I still be taking Vit D, Centrum Silver multivitamin? I have stopped my Vitamin B-12 since I started the Alpha Lipoic Acid. I would appreciate your advice on this. AND, wanted you to know that I love your column and have been a fan for many years. Keep up the great work!
Sandy
Missour
Hi, I would like to know did anyone report lyrics to the FDA, if not please do so. This medication Lyric is very harmful, I have take it and the side effects out weigh any benefit it drove me into deep depression and not to mention excessive amount of weight gain 6lbs in one day.
Yes, my legs and hands are huge and upper chest , and severe loss of sight. I would recommend you have a talk with your doctor concerning, the med there must be an alternative. God bless all of you and thank you so much for sharing your story.
Moma
Houston, Tx
I had a broken back in 2001 The surgery went well performed by a young dr. with steady hands.. I have plates & screws. I started having arthritis about 2013 and knee problems.. I started falling about 2014. I injured both rotator cuffs & had surgeries in 2014. Then a cancer in 2015.
I was left with drop foot in both feet then corporate tunnel in both wrists and rediculous lack of balance with no dizziness. It seemed like there must be something connected to all my physical problems except the cancer surgery but it was lengthy & pressure on my back. My dr. has just put me on Lyrica for 2 months then to see a spinal surgeon for consultation only to see if there is a connection. I will post the results later.
My side effects from 4 days on Lyrica are ms symptoms & I have to use a walker now, a little blurred vision & what I see is very interesting & it’s hard to focus, the med hurts my stomach without food, & sleepiness. St this point I can’t really complain.
Glenn
Brisbane Australia
I have MS (34 years) and have had numbness in my feet for over 16 years and burning on legs and buttocks for over 9 years. I have now reached the stage with the burning where I need help but do not want to take Lyrica due to the side effects. Does anyone with MS take a natural supplement for their burning and numbness.
David D.
NH
I have nerve damage in my groin due to a inguinal hernia surgery operation where the surgeon stitched through a nerve. I have numbness, prickly pain and significant discomfort. Has anyone encountered any vitamin supplements that might help with this particular type of nerve problem?
Lori Stevens
California
I self diagnosed idiopathic PN a year ago, doctor formally 4 months ago. I have no pain (yet) and this scares the crud out of me. Being a research freak with internet handy, I’ve read about the plethora of recommended supplements. So far, with a chosen “cocktail.” Key, perhaps is the ALA, B12, Magnesium, among others, and a super healthy diet- organic, gluten free, no/low sugar, and 4 mile walk a day. Fingers crossed!
DeeAnn
Long Island, NY
I just came across this forum and wish I had a year ago. Lori, I wonder how your “cocktail” has worked for you so far? It seems to be just the right ingredients! I too was about to go the the natural market to get the ALA and B12. Your post reminded me to look into the Magnesium as well. Thank you for that! It seems to be just enough to start a regimen that excludes the prescription my neurologist threw at me when he didn’t have enough time or interest to hear me through my symptoms nor the questions I had for him. Good luck to you, and my fingers are crossed now too!
Jen
Queensland
I have recently been prescribed Lyrica for Trigeminal neuralgia. After reading the side effects of this drug I’m wondering if there is an alternative. Has anyone used vitamin supplements for this type of pain, which involves extreme pain on the right side of my jaw, teeth and face?
Jc
And if so, did it help at all? Even when you took it with opiates?
Sue
Melbourne
I have a Neo-B12 Injection every three to four weeks, and am on Endep 50mg taken one to two hours before bed for Peripheral Neuropathy. I took 10mg with no improvement, then 20mg which I had some benefit from. I had to beg my Doctor to let me take 50mg which has been much more beneficial. I have read that patients do take more but as I have put on a lot of weight, I’m not keen to do so.
Also I have read about Alpha-Lipoic Acid for nerve pain but some horrific stories that scared me off. I hope this helps.
Jc
Montana
Has anyone tried Lyrica for back pain and leg pain vs surgery?
BeBe
Texas
Does anyone take ALA for neuropathy in feet caused by chemo. Thanks for a reply.
Patricia
Toronto, Canada
Would ALA help with fibromyalgia pain? I have tried gabapentin, lyrica etc and did not like the side effects. I am desperate to get relief.
Beth
Baltimore Maryland
Long ago I heard about a lack of vitamin B causing nerve pain in hands and feet. After a car accident left me with mild drop foot on one side and sciatica on the other, I have progressed over 20 years to burning on the foot and loss of strength in both feet. I recently woke in the night with burning pain, and went downstairs and took a B complex in a sleepy stupor. I wasnt thinking clearly, but my instincts were right on, and within 20 minutes the pain was gone. The pill is nasty tasting and so I have not been good about taking them- till now. When I miss for a couple days, its apparent.
SissyGirl
Florida
All of this sounds so wonderful to me. I’m going to take these suggestions with me to the Dr. and ask him what he thinks is best for me. I’m taking Methadone and Hydromorphone for the pain and it doesn’t all way’s help.
Lyrica help me gain 30 lbs. And it has taken me a long time to get the weight back off. One thing a person doesn’t need is weight gain when you are in chronic pain.
The Gabapentin kept me in fog and I got lost in my own home and couldn’t think a straight thought and I didn’t bathe for a week so they had to go. When I had major back surgery and the surgeon cause me to have problems I had never had before so all of this is new to me.When I woke up from the back surgery I couldn’t feel the left side of my left leg and my left foot wasn’t right. After 3 day’s of not being able to get up and walk because I now have Neuropathy!
I had never heard of it so the Dr. stuck me in a nursing home and I was so under medicated it took over 30 days to get well enough to go home. I had to leave the home for a day and go to a Pain Management to get enough meds. to get well. 3 years later and I still can’t feel my toes and the left side of my leg. So when I shave I have to pay attention because I can’t feel the razor on my leg.
The Dr. never accepted responsibility for the nerve damage he caused to my left side and told me to have a nice life and if i need him again, please come back. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha. No thank you sir, You did enough damage to my body the first time around. You won’t get a second chance.Once was a enough! And the back surgery was suppose to eliminate the need for pain meds and be pain free for the rest of my life. and he failed me miserably.
Lida
I just saw that there is a supplement formula from Doctor’s Best that contains both alpha lipoic acid and benfotiamine
Would it be okay to take both at same time or is it an either/or situation?
Lida
Are there any contraindications with taking either supplement at that dosage? Are there any prescription meds that will be affected by these supplements?
John
Carrollton, TX
I had terrible sharp burning pains in my feet and legs caused by peripheral neuropathy. This went on for some time until I mentioned it to my foot doctor. He prescribed something new to the market telling me that 95% of his patients were getting relief. It is named “Metanx” and as I said is a prescription. It isn’t cheap but my pain is totally gone.
If you buy it direct from the maker, they offer a discount that no pharmacy can match. It works for me and maybe some of you can get some sleep after taking it. I know I am. I can actually feel my feet again where they used to be numb and dead feeling.
Cindy
Bethesda MD
I have had (relatively) mild ideopathic peripheral neuropathy on the balls of my feet for decades. Especially when trying to get to sleep at night, I rub Aspercreme on the affected areas, which almost eliminates the symptoms for 4-5 hours. If I wake up during the night, I reapply and the effect is again almost immediate. I have tried many other creams with no affect.
I also found a significant reduction by practicing meditation. When my nervous system quiets down, so do the symptoms.
Carol
North Carolina
Used benfotiamine and it worked, but after a couple of weeks I realized that I smelled really bad!! Quit taking it but good effects have lasted. My sister said she had a similar problem with the related med, thiamine.
Bunny
Thank you all so much for the feedback on ALA. My husband had a wisdom tooth removed about five years ago and the dental surgeon damaged a nerve way down in his jaw area. He has been in an incredible amount of pain and on heavy pain meds ever since. Our daughter sent us this article this morning and we are going to try ALA.
Cathie
MO
Hello, I was diagnosed with mild sensory neuropathy in both feet in 2012. The soles of my feet burned at night, and I had shooting pains in my toes also. I’d get up and put both feet in cold water, which relieved the pain temporarily.
My PCP put me on Gabapentin 300 mg three times a day, and it worked for awhile. Then, it got worse, and a neurologist put me on 600 mg 4 times a day, and it quit hurting. But, I had some memory loss, like couldn’t spell some words while typing, and some slurred speech, and couldn’t seem to finish a sentence; could not think of the word.
I had read “Grain Brain” by Dr. Perlmutter. On his web site, he said if you took 600 mg of ALA and 1,000 mcg of Be-12, you could cut your dose of Gabapentin in half in 6 to 8 weeks. I did it and it worked for me. Thank God, now I’m typing better, no slurred speech, or hunting for the right word, although once in a while, it will happen.
Margaret
I had horrible nerve pain in both legs. Could be anywhere from my butt to my feet. I have neuropathy in my feet. I take Benfotiamine – 600 mg. (300 mg. does not do it for me)
150 mg.- morning – 150 mg. noon – 300 mg. evening. It eliminates it for me about 98% . My sister has had the same results.
Sarah
Los Angeles
Do you happen to know the cause of your nerve pain?
Fern Roy
Hi;
I found instead of taking gabapentin 300mg 3 X a day I just take 100mg when the nerve pain hits my feet and it takes it right away. I find I need to take one pill about every two weeks or so. Been doing this for at least 2 yrs or more.
Ken
I’ve been a victim of the overprescribing of pharma giant Pfizer’s, “Lyrica”. I know the desperation untreated fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, and nerve pain brings. All I can add is that settling for a quick fix like Lyrica seems like blissful relief to start out with, but it can turn on you with a viscous quickness. I implore you, don’t settle for less. You’ll pay in the end.
Charlotte
I’m glad that alpha-lipoid acid and benfotiamine has helped some people with peripheral neuropathy (non-diabetic). Believe me, I tried it every which way, but the alpha-lipoic acid gave me such heart burn that I truly thought I was having a heart attack.
I saw absolutely no difference with the benfotiamine. My doctor started me with Gabapetin, slowing increasing the dose until I got to 1200 mg daily with no noticeable improvement to the horrible leg pains, burning and freezing. My doctor switched me to Lyrica 600 mg a day, and now the swelling is added to the burning and freezing. My left leg feels like an iron post!
I once was an independent active senior who would play baseball with my grandchildren and could still climb a ladder and clean my own house. Now, I can barely walk with two canes and rely on my scooter for fear of falling (which I already did twice). My next try will be Cymbalta in hopes that it may help and reduce the swelling.
This neuropathy started slowing with “pebbles” and “crunched socks” in my shoes for about a year. When it made its move, it made it quickly. Within four months, I couldn’t walk without a cane. Then added the scooter, but when walking, must use two canes. I tried all the supplements mentioned in websites as well as conventional physical therapy and acupuncture. I don’t know why the medical field isn’t working on finding an answer to this horrible debilitating disease. So far, I haven’t found the answer.
monica dee
pa.
Lyrica- was so fast acting ,i had prayed for a cure and i thought this was it!4 hours later my leg swelled to 10+ times its normal size.you must be really careful!!!!they do not tell you this may happen and it scared me to death!i thought my leg and foot would explode ,as the skin was so tight i knew the skin was stretched to capacity. be careful .
Marian
VA.
Well, I am definitely on board for the ALA. I have nerve damage from diabetes. I started taking ALA. Used it for 3 months. Having to take many pills I thought maybe I could go without ALA. Big mistake. Pain was out of control in just two days. Trust me don’t even think about it. Started it again quickly. I won’t try that again.
Yvonne Booth
Hi
I suffer badly from fibromiyalgia with bad pains in my knees and legs and feet have had knee replacements but the knee that I have not had replaced hurts more I get tingling badly in legs and hands can you suggest anything that could give relief
Johanna
Online
Just read today magnesium might help fibromyalgia
Hannah
Santa Fe
I had a bad reaction to Simvastatin after 6 months. I became almost crippled with musculoskeletal pain and remembered my boss had the same thing. It took doctors 4 months to figure out my boss had a reaction to statins. After a week of being unable to walk I quit the statin and pain was cut in half over night. My cholesterol is borderline high now, but I now refuse all statins. Then my blood pressure went out of control and the meds were doubled then added a diuretic and I then started having severe occular migraines and at 180/100 doctor threatened me with hospitalization. I weaned myself off the BP meds over 3 months and went on a very low-phenol diet, eliminating salicylates. But the damage has been done. I now have tingling burning numb hands and feet and severe pain in lumbar and neck. I take D for genetic mutation. I also take omega 3 and b12, thiamine, vital k and low acid c. My BP is now dead normal without meds. I am hopeful these added suggestions will help me lower pain meds.
Jule
Balch Springs, TX
If you can find it look for the ( lipid hypothosees how ever it is spelled ). Phizer was the one who paid for the independent study about cholesterol.
fuzzw
raleigh nc
Jule, reckon there was about 100% probability that you should be taking their drug. arghh. Trying to be civil. No statins.
Chris
Wausau, WI
Hannah and All, I am sorry to hear of your statin woes. I was disabled Oct 10, 2002, due to my 10mg daily lipitor use, which come to find out I should never have been on, because I’d never had a heart attack nor confirmed heart disease (Primary prevention).
I had a long and sorted illness which resulted with neuropathy, cognitive problems, etc etc etc.. and being a former RN, I did not accept the diagnosis of Viral Encephalitis that UW Madison gave me, and researched on my own, scouring the medical library at our local hospital, perusing the internet and reading several books and even contacting Dr Duane Graveline, who suffered a similar fate as I had.
Before you allow any cholesterol drug in your body, Hannah, read “The Truth About Statins:Risks and Alternatives to Cholesterol Lowering Drugs” by Dr Barbara Roberts MD, a Cardiologist of 30+ years. And The Peoples Pharmacy, I urge you to have her on your show..I have direct contact with her and can help arrange this.
Hannah
Santa Fe
I had a bad reaction to simvastatin after 6 months. I became almost crippled with musculoskeletal pain and remembered my boss had the same thing. It took doctors 4 months to figure out my boss had a reaction to statins. After a week of being unable to walk I quit the statin and pain was cut in half over night. My cholesterol is borderline high now, but I now refuse all statins.
Then my blood pressure went out of control and the meds were doubled then added a diuretic and I then started having severe ocular migraines and at 180/100 doc threatened me with hospitalization. I weaned myself off the BP mess and went on a very low-phenol diet, eliminating salicylates. But the damage has been done. I now have numerous problems: tingling burning numb hands and feet and severe pain in lumbar and neck. I take D for genetic mutation. I also take omega 3 and b12, thiamine, vital k and low acid c. My BP is now dead normal without meds.
Louise J.
N.C.
I am a paraplegic from waist down, and suffer from the pin, needles, burning sensation keeping me from sleeping more than 2hrs at one time. I am currently taking ala 300mg 2x daily, plus horse chestnut extract 300mg 2x daily. I also take turmeric. I am not sure whether this is helping or not. I have only been taking this for a short time ( 2 wks ). I am ready to try anything at this point. I am not aware of the supplement Benfotiamine. Please inform about this. All and any help please.
Linda
tennessee
My husband has neuropathy very bad in his feet. It hurts him to walk, wear socks and shoes and he isn’t able to sleep at night. This is really affecting his level of life. He is a heart patient also and takes blood pressure and plavix meds as well as metformin. I need to know if supplements could be taken along with his meds? He would like to take natural remedies and stop taken the prescription meds. I hope u can help. Thanks
Yogesh
United States
My Burning Feet Experience
Burning feet is a form of Neuropathy, associated with damage to nerves.
Diagnostics
1. No Diabetes
2. EMG (Electro-mayo-gram), and NCV (Nerve Conduction Velocity) Tests were conducted
– No damage to main nerves
– Small nerves severely damaged. Cause unknown
Prescription medications
Doctor prescribed Gabapentin 300 mg to be taken before bed. It kept me drowsy till noon in the morning. Reduced the dosage to 100 mg. Noticed difficulty in urination (I already have enlarged prostate), increased lower back pain (I already suffer from lower-back arthritis), and increased shortness of breath (I already suffer from COPD). It was not showing any improvement, so I stopped taking Gabapentin
Over The Counter Supplements
I googled the net and found five supplements:
1. R-Alpha Lipoic Acid: 200 mg
Take one capsule on empty stomach. You feel a burning sensation in the throat. Take it with one cup of cold water to minimize burning sensation. After 20 minutes have your breakfast.
2. Methylcobalamin Vitamin B12 Liquid form sub-lingual: 1000 mcg
Put a dropper full under your tongue. Hold for 20 seconds and swallow. Take one dose at breakfast. Repeat one dosage before going to bed.
3. Benfotiamine: 150 mg.
This is synthetic form of Vitamin B1 (Thiamin). Regular Thiamin does not have same effect.
Take one capsule with water at breakfast. Take one capsule at bed time with water.
4. Vitamin D3: 2000 IU
Vitamin D deficiency increases nerve damage. Last year, I was diagnosed with severe Vitamin D deficiency. It is getting better. At my age and due to my skin color I take 2000 IU every day at bed time
5. CoQ-10 Qunol 100 mg
CoQ-10 helps reduce neuropathy induced pain. I also take Simvastatin to lower Cholesterol; Statin drugs can cause Neuropathy, which can be offset by CoQ-10. I take one capsule at bed time
Foods that help
1. Among all foods, Clams are the best source of Vitamin B12. I buy Baby clams (10oz Can) at Wal-Mart. Each can has three servings. I eat one serving every other day
Eggs are over all good sources of B vitamins. I eat one poached egg every morning at breakfast.
Sharon W.
Ontario Canada
Thank you for the wonderful information. My husband is seeing a neurologist this month. We will ask about benfotiamine.
amy
asheville
Sharon, which links on the internet gave you this valuable information. I am taking Alpha Lipoic Acid for Itching that is a result of nerve issues from ny neck!!!!! The gabapentin at bedtime makes my brain too rotten! LOL!!! I do think the ALP is helping!! yay!!! Please share more info with me.
edythe
florida
You may have erythromalagia, burning feet was the comment that made me think of that, look it up, not as rare as article report because so few physcians know about it therefore it is rarely diagnosed.
Willie
colorado
Very informative.
Heather
LA
Has anyone had luck with taking Benfotiamine and Alpha-Lipoic Acid together? I may just try one or the other, but I don’t know if it’s too potent to combine the two for maximum nerve pain/twitching relieving results. And if so, what were the amounts you took of each? How many mg/times per day were taken? And did it alleviate your pain?! I have such problems with my left leg.
Worburton Commodore
Bronx, New York
I have burning on my feet through my legs and pains on my legs and feet. Shoulder pain also and can not sleep well woking up every 30 minutes and sometime never sleeos at all. So my doctor said it’s a nerve pain and he gave me a precription to buy gabapentin. He started with me on 100 mg three times daily which I take for 1 month but the pain, burning, pins and needles are still affecting me. And just last week I went to see him again and he increase it to 200 mg three times daily and still feeling the pains on my legs, burning and pins and needles and can’t sleep has become worse than before. So the question is I have heard much about Benfotiamine and Alpha- Lipoic Acid how they help. Can I conbine both the benfotiamine with the gabapentin together to take at the sa me time? I really need help please.
Lucia
I suffer from neuropathy (non-diabetic) apparently during back surgery my L4 nerve was cut and damaged. I get the burning, stiffness, pain and all those symptoms in my knees, I’ve never heard of anybody else getting the symptoms in the knees. I’ve been taking anticonvulsants but they make me too drowsy, unable to have a normal life. I will start taking ALA and hope to get relief. I’ll post again. Thank you
Ann Marie
Texas
If you haven’t already seen a pain management specialist, you might want to consider doing so. The type of pain you describe sounds very much like the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy I have (also caused by surgery). RSD can be caused by damage to one area but spread along the spinal column to other areas. Mine started in my ankle, but has spread to my lower back because those nerves are adjacent on the spinal cord. This type of neuropathy can sometimes be reversed by a trained physician, if it is caught early. Just don’t wait too long to consult with someone who is familiar with your type of pain. Good luck!
Milana
NY
Hi hope all is well did the ALA help you relieve the symptoms?
Luisa
My husband has neuropathy in both feet from diabetes. I gave him the link to this page for him to try some of these supplements. He has tried alpha lipoic acid but I don’t know how many mlg., but he said it didn’t ease the pain. Maybe he needs to take this dose of 600 mlg. Will let you all know what happens.
S.D
TX
try taking that alpha lipoid acid with CoQ10, vitamin B and C, D3 , that has helped me . I use super B complex so it covers all the B vitamins. as you need to take B12 and B6 and B1 for this to work. it will not take away all the pain but makes it manageable to get bye. also try a massage therapist they are great.
John H.
I read with interest your 4/30/13 article concerning alpha lipoic acid and benfotiamine for neuropathy. I received chemo, ending in April 2012, for lymphoma. Later that year, my neurologist diagnosed me with chronic inflammatory demilinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). The doctors believe that the neuropathy results from both chemo, vincristine, and CIDP.
The neuropathy affects mainly my fingers and legs, especially from knees through toes. I am interested in knowing how long it usually takes for ALA to show results if it is to be effective. I bought a bottle of sixty 600 mg tablets and have taken one per day; I have five left. I would appreciate comments also on benfotiamine.
People’s Pharmacy response: Six weeks is a reasonable trial period, so it seems that the ALA is not likely to be very helpful. There is more information on benfotiamine here: https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2011/07/18/vitamin-reverses-nerve-pain/
Helen M
Frankie – no way to get out of the wheelchair? Tho people in wheelchairs do lead full lives, something that you must aim for. The best relief for pain is distraction. I find the computer very helpful, would be more if I could sit here longer. Find lists of people coping with the same painful conditions as yours and you will find support and diversion there.
While you are concentrating on communicating with others, you will focus less on your own pain. Something that I am doing right now. I also belong to several other groups, covering my several other conditions and they have been life savers.
In addition, have you looked into getting your compression stockings online? I follow e-bay for the stockings. Tho they have gone up in price since I started over ten years ago, it is still far less than you would pay in a store.
Frankie
Hi I got shot in Nov 2010 in the bottom of my back that hit my spinal cord (which is also horses tails of nerves) I’m L1- 2 paraplegic which means I’m in a wheelchair now I also got hit in the front of my right leg I suffer from so much nerve pain and take so much drugs and it is getting worse the only only thing that is working a little bit is tight stockings I recommend these anyone can you pls help me p.s sorry for the long message thanks
Helen M
Moe, I understand your pain, and want you to know that I am terribly sorry. I take pain pills now, awaiting knee replacement surgery, a condition too severe for supplements – tho I do continue to take my supplements. Yes, you can take turmeric with alpha lipoic acid. As you probably read in the previous comments, many people have found relief with benfotiamine.
Relief does not mean the pain is gone, no it means enough is gone so that you may function on a normal level. Start slow with ala, take it with lunch, keep it from upsetting your stomach. Same for the others. Later, if you wish, you can spread dosing out to dinner time too.
Search the archives here and look in places like the Mayo Clinic for your answer on deformation. I know arthritis can deform fingers and toes; perhaps neuropathy can too. Please post here again and let us know what you have learned, what you decide to us, and how it all turns out.
I would really like to know.
moe
Does this neuropathy have a tendency to deform feet or toes I’m still trying this Ala no matter what I’m in chronic pain most of the time can I take turmeric also.
D. H.
I have been taking 600 mg of Benfotiamine for many years and it has significantly helped the neuropathy and the sciatica I was having in my legs and feet. I get my capsules online as there aren’t any retail stores selling it near my home in South Florida, although I do know of several doctors who are using Benfotiamine products in their practices here. Thank you for getting the word out…there is nothing better than happy feet!
Sarah
Los Angeles
Do you happen to know the cause of your neuropathy?
Reno Chiropractor
I treat patients on a daily basis suffering from radiculopathy and sciatica and I have never tried recommending the ALA. Thank you for the good information, I can’t wait to recommend the ALA to my patients as I am sure they will love to try a natural supplement over another prescription medication with dangerous side effects. Thanks again.
Helen M
Unfortunately what the doctors consider well controlled diabetes has no relationship to normal numbers. A non-diabetic or non pre diabetic has an A1c in the low fours. Yes, fours. I am considered well controlled with an A1c around 6; when I was younger, with fewer other conditions, it was between 5.6 and 5.8. Most medical professionals thought I was fantastic. Because of online lists, I knew better.
There are a lot of supplements that may help, by preventing glycation, in spite of less, or more, than normal numbers. After 30 years I have no retinopathy which I attribute to the pycnogenol I use, 50mg every day. Before pyc, I was diagnosed with the beginnings of retinopathy, that is gone, with no signs of any. There are other things that you can use the computer to research.
Remember that supplements are very subtle and it may take a long time before you notice any changes.
Helen
ShirleyL
I have been over two years seeing doctors about the pain in my legs. I first was diagnosed with Lupus and after more testing that was negative. I’ve been told I need knee surgery, then was told after my MRI of my leg that I had muscle atrophy. This has been a long road of pain, fatigue and being limited in my daily activities. I read your article and after reading more about the vitamin supplement Benfotiamine
I decided to try it. Just after taking two tablets my leg pain has eased some. I am hoping that it will soon relieve it completely. Thank you so much for your program and newsletters, they have helped more than once.
Katbaby
I tried to take ALA and I started off with 50mg twice a day. I had to stop using it after 3 days because it made my shoulders neck and hands felt just like my legs and feet. Burning and hurting.
EH
I wish ALA worked for everyone’s neuropathy, but it doesn’t. I’ve been taking 600 mg of ALA twice a day for years and still have numbness and pins-and-needles type pain. My diabetes is supposedly well controlled after being diagnosed 26 years ago, but complications continue to develop.
Suzanne Alford-Hodges
Supplement for neuropathy.
Hanna J.
I suffered a dislocation of my right big toe due to bad bunion in October of last year. I use turmeric, benfotiamine, and one ibuprofen, sometimes one tylenol, three times a day and get almost total relief of the pain. Five doctors have done little to help. I am not diabetic, but it runs in my family so I avoid sugar as much as possible and eat a balanced heart-healthy diet most of the time. I have recently found that compression stockings help the swelling and when it stays normal size it hurts less.
I have orthotic shoes being made which I feel will greatly enhance my mobility. Doc is treating left foot since it appears to be at risk for same thing.
I would like to see what research you have uncovered regarding surgery for a bad bunion. Mine is complicated by fact that I was born with a hip deformity and that hip is fused, the leg is l-1/2 inch shorter, so I have walked on that toe for all my life (now 65) and shunned “special” shoes. What I have found on line seems to be confusing, and Mayo Clinic advises it as only last resort.
Thanks for the work you do. I don’t know what I would have done in the early phases of this thing without knowing turmeric would take away the shooting pains within about 15 minutes. We bought it in bulk and I would take about half to three-fourths teaspoon in a little water. Gulp! Now I have capsules, much more pleasant, but works the same.
Also started swimming, working slowly at building strength, and the foot seems to be responding well to that also. Varicose veins also run in my family and it appears there are some compromised veins around my ankles. I am spoiled because I have been pretty healthy all my life, so this is a real hardship, but I intend to overcome it.
Pat M.
This ALA treatment sounds very good to me, as I also have neuropathy.
However, I do not have diabetes. Mine started while in the hospital for an episode of diverticulitis and my feet became covered with a blistery red rash that spread up my ankles. It was very itchy – they said I probably had a reaction to the footies they have you wear. All the ointments they applied did little good. That was in 2008. I still have mottled red/purple feet and ankles that tingle, burn etc. The doctor calls it neuropathy. Before I try a new medicine, I’d like to know if ALA would work for neuropathy that is not caused by diabetes.
tom m.
I have been taking ALA for about 5 years for my neuropathy. I cannot tell you how wonderful this product has been for me. It has greatly eased my numbness and pain in my feet from this by product of having this disease called “sugar”. Please try this supplement. I take 600 mg each morning. It works wonders.
MG
I started taking Turmeric years ago after reading about it in your newspaper column. I suffer nerve damage down my left leg into my foot from a collapsed disc in my lower back, and also around my right hip from scar tissue that grew around a nerve after the surgery for the disc. It has helped tremendously and I recommend it to others. However, I will try this as I’ve started to experience “electric shocks” at night very recently. Thank you for all you do with your columns/site etc.!
Standing
Los Angeles
I’m not a diabetic but I do have the burning in my feet, legs, tingling and numbness, especially in my hands. I take ALA, B12,6,2; vitamin C, D, coq10, potassium and magnesium, zinc, and I make a green drink with green tea, kale, spinach, banana, Ginger root (really helps with knees), tumeric, cinnamon, chlorophyll and milk thistle (which helps keep kidney n liver clean).
My feet and legs stop burning so much but weak. My biggest problem is the numbness in my fingers an RA in my hands. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I’m going to try acupuncture next. A friend said it helped her mom tremendously . I’m just going to keep standing on the Word of God – Jesus took all our sins, sickness on the cross. God bless you all with divine health. Shalom