anyone else using alpha lipoic acid to help peripheral neuropathy ?

pete43lost_at_sea
pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
my neuropathy seems to be improving slowly, especially the fingers for which i am very grateful.

had to spend another $50 on a new bottle of ala and just researched again why i am going to the trouble. the link below mentions a trial, the results will be interesting. either way i have already placed a bet on ala helping. maybe it is, but who knows ?

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/alternative/alpha-lipoic-acid5.htm

has anyone had any improvement in pn, for me its 4 months post chemo.

hugs,
pete

Comments

  • TxKayaker
    TxKayaker Member Posts: 176
    #2
    I have been taking it for
    I have been taking it for some time now fingers are a lot better but I'm still having issues with my feet.

    Mike
  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #3
    It helped my feet a lot
    I was taking600-800mg/day and it enabled me to walk comfortably again within a few weeks. I'm not taking it any more, but took it for about a year.
  • lizzydavis
    lizzydavis Member Posts: 893
    #4
    abrub said:

    It helped my feet a lot
    I was taking600-800mg/day and it enabled me to walk comfortably again within a few weeks. I'm not taking it any more, but took it for about a year.

    Hi Pete,
    Hi Pete,

    I am an advocate of ALA! I participated in a clinical trial while on chemo. When I ended chemo, I continued to buy it from Wal-Mart. If I missed a day of taking it, I started feeling the tingling and numbness in my fingers. (I never had any problems with my feet - only in my fingers.) I no longer take it and do not have any problems.

    Hugs,
    Lizzy
  • tanstaafl
    tanstaafl Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #5
    cost control
    We use common R,S-alpha lipoic acid, with 5-10 mg of biotin, as a part of my wife's support formula, at 1200-1500 mg ALA per day. Stage IV, she hasn't used oxaliplatin since she is doing an immunochemotherapy protocol for stopping new mets and micrometastases, along with the supplements. The lipoic acid prices in the US can be much lower, under $5 per bottle of 300 mg ALA per cap x 120 caps. Shipping overseas isn't too bad either, import duties are a bigger worry.
  • westie66
    westie66 Member Posts: 642
    #6
    tanstaafl said:

    cost control
    We use common R,S-alpha lipoic acid, with 5-10 mg of biotin, as a part of my wife's support formula, at 1200-1500 mg ALA per day. Stage IV, she hasn't used oxaliplatin since she is doing an immunochemotherapy protocol for stopping new mets and micrometastases, along with the supplements. The lipoic acid prices in the US can be much lower, under $5 per bottle of 300 mg ALA per cap x 120 caps. Shipping overseas isn't too bad either, import duties are a bigger worry.

    Supplements for neuropathy
    Hi Pete: After the first horrid experience with FOLFOXFIRI (with oxaliplatin), I started taking the following: 5 grams/fermented L-Glutlamine/day, 1 cal/mag pill/day, 1 VIt B6/day, 2 alpha-lipoic acid tablets, one in a.m. one in p.m., both before eating. Plus I had the oncologist reduce the amount and diffusion rate of the oxaliplatin (get it every 2 weeks). I haven't had neuropathy symptoms since then, can even drink cold drinks and eat ice cream. I just finished treatment 6.
    Cheryl
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #7
    westie66 said:

    Supplements for neuropathy
    Hi Pete: After the first horrid experience with FOLFOXFIRI (with oxaliplatin), I started taking the following: 5 grams/fermented L-Glutlamine/day, 1 cal/mag pill/day, 1 VIt B6/day, 2 alpha-lipoic acid tablets, one in a.m. one in p.m., both before eating. Plus I had the oncologist reduce the amount and diffusion rate of the oxaliplatin (get it every 2 weeks). I haven't had neuropathy symptoms since then, can even drink cold drinks and eat ice cream. I just finished treatment 6.
    Cheryl

    Since I have gone back to
    Since I have gone back to work, I feel sooooo much better. I must have been a couch potato when I wasn't working! :-)

    I'm sure the celebrex I'm taking for my shoulder has a lot to do with it too.
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #8
    one day our onc will say this, a big thanks
    a big thanks for the comments to all. i am so glad many have had good results.

    like in my post months ago about leveraging solutions from diabetics as neuropathy is a big issue for t hem and effcts many many more patients.

    if we all keep thinking outside the square we may join the tail and we all want to
    get onto the last life boat don't we.

    we can help each other with care advice, as a group of patients our info flows are fast and effective and debated. this is what edave is all about.

    its a great day here, the sunrise is glorious, my wife and kids are asleep in our kingsize bed and i have to get breakfast ready and do lunches. the joys of life.

    maybe to hold our kids or a friends hand and actually feel the touch.

    hugs,
    pete
  • JerryB6768
    JerryB6768 Member Posts: 1
    #9
    ALA Cost
    Sorry to throw a damper on getting alpha lipoic acid for the cheapest price, but in most cases you get what you pay for. ALA is a poorly soluble powder that doesn't get absorbed very well. The best products are solubilized to give high blood levels. Also, the really cheap stuff is made from ALA powder that is made in China.
  • westie66
    westie66 Member Posts: 642
    #10
    JerryB6768 said:

    ALA Cost
    Sorry to throw a damper on getting alpha lipoic acid for the cheapest price, but in most cases you get what you pay for. ALA is a poorly soluble powder that doesn't get absorbed very well. The best products are solubilized to give high blood levels. Also, the really cheap stuff is made from ALA powder that is made in China.

    ALA Cost
    Thanks! I didn't know that!
    Cheryl
  • lesvanb
    lesvanb Member Posts: 905
    #11
    per my doc for neuropathy
    I take Alpha Lipoic Acid and R-lipoic acid (sometimes in the same day.
    NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)
    Vit B-6 (3 weeks out of 4)

    Leslie
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #12
    JerryB6768 said:

    ALA Cost
    Sorry to throw a damper on getting alpha lipoic acid for the cheapest price, but in most cases you get what you pay for. ALA is a poorly soluble powder that doesn't get absorbed very well. The best products are solubilized to give high blood levels. Also, the really cheap stuff is made from ALA powder that is made in China.

    thanks jerry
    great points which is why i pay alot more through a top naturopath but at least i hope the risk of not getting thee benefit of the supplements is minimised.
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #13
    lesvanb said:

    per my doc for neuropathy
    I take Alpha Lipoic Acid and R-lipoic acid (sometimes in the same day.
    NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)
    Vit B-6 (3 weeks out of 4)

    Leslie

    thanks leslie
    i am on same as you.

    here hoping an end to neuropathy

    pete
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #14
    new cream
    I am trying a new cream. Sorry I can't remember the name of it (chemobrain -- literally! I'm dripping as I type....). But it has cap-something as the main ingredient - which is based on red/chili peppers (as I understand). Sorry I will post again when I have the stuff in my hand! My oncologist recommended it (in the 'you might want to give this a try vein) -- and it is something used by diabetics! (your comment about borrowing, and thinking outside the box). Can 'burn' a litle bit but not in a bad way (for me, so far). Not sure yet how well it works -- I've just started. I couldnt find it in Hong Kong and ended up ordering online - from Australia! (drugs.com, as I recall -- great name -- the package was opened by customs coming into Hong Kong OF COURSE ha ha ha).

    Tara
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #15
    taraHK said:

    new cream
    I am trying a new cream. Sorry I can't remember the name of it (chemobrain -- literally! I'm dripping as I type....). But it has cap-something as the main ingredient - which is based on red/chili peppers (as I understand). Sorry I will post again when I have the stuff in my hand! My oncologist recommended it (in the 'you might want to give this a try vein) -- and it is something used by diabetics! (your comment about borrowing, and thinking outside the box). Can 'burn' a litle bit but not in a bad way (for me, so far). Not sure yet how well it works -- I've just started. I couldnt find it in Hong Kong and ended up ordering online - from Australia! (drugs.com, as I recall -- great name -- the package was opened by customs coming into Hong Kong OF COURSE ha ha ha).

    Tara

    awesome, let me know the name, i want to try an aussie product
    i hope it helps,
    your onc sounds helpful, even enlightened.
    hugs,
    pete
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #16
    pete43lost_at_sea said:

    awesome, let me know the name, i want to try an aussie product
    i hope it helps,
    your onc sounds helpful, even enlightened.
    hugs,
    pete

    found it! Zostrix cream
    Hey Pete -- found the name of the cream: Zostrix Diabetic Foot Pain Cream. The active ingredient is Capsaicin.

    Here's a link -- it's to the company (so could be biased) but does have some info on studies/efficacy:
    http://www.zostrix.com/pages/clinical.asp

    (I see it can be bought at Walmart/Walgreen etc for our US-based buddies....)

    Yea, I'm very lucky with my Onc. We have a long history (8 years) and he is a star in every way --

    Hugs!
    Tara
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #17
    taraHK said:

    found it! Zostrix cream
    Hey Pete -- found the name of the cream: Zostrix Diabetic Foot Pain Cream. The active ingredient is Capsaicin.

    Here's a link -- it's to the company (so could be biased) but does have some info on studies/efficacy:
    http://www.zostrix.com/pages/clinical.asp

    (I see it can be bought at Walmart/Walgreen etc for our US-based buddies....)

    Yea, I'm very lucky with my Onc. We have a long history (8 years) and he is a star in every way --

    Hugs!
    Tara

    thanks tara
    its looks helpful if you got pain, my neuropathy ismild and i am going for cure.
    hugs,
    pete

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