[fetalsono]

Supplements for peripheral neuropathy

by fetalsono on Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:57 pm

Four years ago I developed a neuropathy of my feet. After a fairly extensive workup it was presumed to be a rare complication of my statin therapy. I was told to try taking R-alpha lipoic acid 200 mg three times a day. It definitely helped. It didn't 'cure' it, but made the symptoms much more tolerable.

I was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma 1 year ago (after having brachial plexus neuritis - with pain in my shoulders and neck). I was watched for 8 months and when my creatinine started to rise, my MD decided to start treatment (Cytoxan - Dex and Velcade).

A year ago there was a poster at a myeloma conference describing the interference of Velcade's effect by alpha lipoic acid. I contacted the author and he said that, at his clinic, he asks patients to refrain from alpha lipoic acid use the day of Velcade treatment. They use as much as 1800 mg of ALA per day.

Another supplement, N-acetyl cysteine, has been found to be neuroprotective of Schwann cells when Velcade is given. However, since vitamin C and NAC may interfere with Velcade's effectiveness, it is started on the next day after treatment.

Bottom line - these supplements will not make neuropathy go away, and may not work in all patients, however they have helped me significantly.

I take 200 mg of R-alpha lipoic acid three times a day and 500 mg of N-acetyl cysteine once a day. I don't take either the evening before or day of treatment.

Hope this helps

[Phantom0730]

Re: Supplements for peripheral neuropathy

by Phantom0730 on Sat Jan 10, 2015 9:39 pm

Try NAC (N-acetyl cysteine), which is an amino acid.

[Eric Hofacket]

Re: Supplements for peripheral neuropathy

by Eric Hofacket on Mon Jan 12, 2015 11:22 am

That does help, thanks for the post.