Solution to one neuropathy problem....

pete43lost_at_sea said:

I am trying vitamin b complex to help
anyone had any luck with vitamin b complex.

http://www2.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab004573.html
Summary
Vitamin B for treating disorders of the peripheral nerves
Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder of the peripheral nerves resulting from different causes, such as diabetes mellitus and alcoholism, leading to pain, numbness or weakness of the limbs and other problems. Vitamin B is commonly used to treat peripheral neuropathy but it is not clear if it helps. This review of 13 trials on diabetic and alcoholic peripheral neuropathy with a total of 741 participants showed only one study that suggested possible short-term benefit from eight-week treatment with benfotiamine (a derivative of vitamin B1) with slightly greater improvement in vibration perception threshold compared to placebo. Vitamin B complex when given in a higher dose administered for four weeks was more efficacious than a lower dose in reducing pain and other clinical problems based on another study. Two to eight weeks of treatment with vitamin B was less efficacious than alpha-lipoic acid, cilostazol or cytidine triphosphate in short-term improvement of clinical and nerve test findings. All these findings require confirmation in larger studies before they can be accepted as definite. Vitamin B is generally well-tolerated with only a few reports of mild side effects.
http://www.aegis.com/factshts/network/simple/neurop.html
||||| Nutrients and peripheral neuropathy:
________________________________________
While nutrients and vitamin supplements haven't been studied the way other drugs have been as treatments for peripheral neuropathy, there are some things you can do yourself that may help with symptoms. Many of the B vitamins have been found to help with symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, although high levels of B6 may worsen symptoms. The ones that are helpful are B1, B12 and folate. Try taking a multivitamin with vitamin E in it, and a B complex to help with symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Make sure the B complex, sometimes called a vitamin B stress complex, has folate in it. Vitamin B12 can also be given by shots into a muscle every couple of weeks, and this probably gets more vitamin B12 into the body than vitamin pills. Drinking alcohol can block how your body uses folate and vitamin B12.
Other supplements that have shown some effect on neuropathy include magnesium, alpha-lipoic acid (also known as thioctic acid) and gamma linolenic acid (GLA). One study used a diet high in a nutrient called inositol, which is found in cantaloupe, peanuts, grapefruit and whole grains. These nutrients have been studied in diabetic neuropathy, which is thought to be similar to HIV-related neuropathy.
||||| On-going studies:
________________________________________
A study of a topical cream called Lidoderm at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York reported promising results, but a larger study needs to confirm the findings. A treatment called nerve growth factor (NGF) was also being studied for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy, but these studies have now been stopped. Although some people have reported very good results with NGF, the company that makes it (Genentech) has decided to stop any further development of the drug. A new promising drug memantine is still in clinical trials. It has shown significant possibilities for pain reduction, particularly for nocturnal pain. Memantine (Axura) has been approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's in Europe, and has filed for approval with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A pilot study of the safety, toxicity, and tolerability of Acetyl-L-Carnitine in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2002.

pete43lost_at_sea said:

here is the natural way
hi winter marie,

Vitamin B Rich Foods
The vitamin B family has many benefits; so including vitamin B rich foods is always a smart move when planning your diet. In addition to being an immune system booster, keeping the brain in shape and maintaining healthy skin, recent research shows vitamin B can even aid in weight loss efforts.

Foods High in B VitaminsWhy Vitamin B Is Important
Vitamin B, is actually a whole family of closely related, yet distinctly different vitamins. The vitamin B complex, as it is called, consists of vitamin B1 (aka Thiamin), B2 (aka Riboflavin), B3 (aka Niacin), B5 (aka Pantothenic Acid), B6 and B12.

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The benefits include prevention of anemia, diabetes and heart disease, and help the preservation of the skin, nervous system and mental clarity. It is also a potent digestive system aid and immunity booster, which accelerates wound healing and may even have cancer-fighting properties thanks to the anti-free radical effects of vitamin B2.

On the flip side, a vitamin B complex deficit may bring about ailments like the nervous system disorder Berberi, cracked lips and other mouth problems, sensitivity to sunlight, acne, anemia, bloating, skin problems, fatigue, diarrhea, depression and neural damage. It should also be noted that it is virtually impossible to overdose on vitamin B to the point of seeing any kind of ill effects thereof, making it all the more of a no-brainer to play it safe when it comes to your vitamin B intake.

Vitamin B Rich Foods
Some members of the vitamin B family are especially common as vitamin fortification in everyday foods. Vitamin B12 in particular, since it appears as an additive in everything from granola bars and TV-dinners to practically every single product in the cereal aisle. Others require a little more digging, but here are some sure bets in terms of vitamin B content:

•Liver
•Beef
•Tuna
•Oats
•Turkey
•Brazil nuts
•Bananas
•Potatoes
•Avocados
•Legumes
•Kefir

enjoy,

Pete

Nana b said:

After having a liver
After having a liver resection...I could never eat liver again!! And just think, the liver works to get toxins out of our body, how many toxins can that cow's liver have! Agh!


No debates, just saying....I CAN"T DO IT! lol

lisa42 said:

bone and joint pains
Hi Winter marie,

I just read your reply and the bone pains caught my attention. Something for you to try... increase your intake of potassium, magnesium and calcium. My naturopathic dr has me on highly absorbable forms of these minerals, in addition to many other things. Interestingly, though, I was out of these particular minerals from him for the past 2-1/2 weeks before my office visit with him last week. I never put two and two together until he mentioned it at our visit. My knees and feet had been absolutely killing me for the prior couple of weeks. I mentioned it to him and he said it's probably because I was out of the minerals. I wasn't so sure about that, but lo and behold, two days after getting back on them my knees and feet don't hurt anymore!

Most forms of calcium supplements you get in the stores are calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate does not absorb well at all. Calcium citrate absorbs better.
The best form of it is calcium orotate. I haven't been able to find that in stores- just online and with the ND. He has me taking two potassium and four calcium orotate pills before breakfast and again before dinner. I swear it really seems to make a difference.

Something to consider, as I don't believe it can hurt in any way- why not try?

Just a suggestion- talk over w/ your onc about it,and mention to him how many believe that chemo zaps the body of these minerals, which is why so many people suffer bone and joint aches and pains during and following chemo.

Best wishes!
Lisa