peripherel neuropathy

[serendipitous]

I am 58 years old and have been a juvenile diabetic for 43 years.   I am in relatively good health but for increasing neuropathic pain, occasionally debilitating, in my feet and, more recently my hands and arm.    Is there anything new on the market that can ease the pain of this?

[Larry68]

Please do not take this as any kind of medical reccomendation. I personally CHOOSE to take 600 mg of ALA/day, in two 300 mg doses. I determined this dosage based on personal recview of published studies and not from physicians advice or recomendations. I beleive it has had a positive effect on restoring some sensory response in my legs and feet, but this conclusion is very subjective. On the other hand, ALA is a good antioxident and I have had no adverse effects (except to my budget).

[serendipitous]

For Larry 68,   thanks- I did figure out what ALA was on closer reading of your earlier comment and went out and got some for myself.   I am interested now in your dosage.   Very thankful for this,  Serendipitous

[Larry68]

Alpha Lipoic Acid, commonly available as a dietaty supplement (antioxident). Please see the Mayo Clinic reference above.

[serendipitous]

Good to get your point of view-  Can you tell me what you mean by ALA?

[Larry68]

I have also been a JD for over 40 yerars and have had to deal with both peripheral neuropathy and autonomic neuropathy. I never had much luck with treating pain, but I can say that with better BG control the pain subsided. More importantly, I have found that vitamin B supplements (I take a 50 mg B complex) and Alpha Lipoic Acid both have helped signficantly to maintain and even improve nerve function in me. The B supplement (B1 abnd B12 are considered the important ones for nerve function) and BG control stopped the neuropathy progression. The ALA really has the most effect, however. I have virtually no pain, and I have greatly increased feeling in my feet which had become almost completely numb.

Please see:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2003-rst/1733.html

[JDRF-Team-gg]

I did a bit of research and found the following information on the ADA's website;  
To ease the discomfort/pain of neuropathy you should keep your bg's in your target range, manage your pain, protect your feet, take medications for depression caused by the pain and seek counceling if depressed.  Medications to relieve pain and reduce burning, numbness & tingling are available.  Some of these medications are known for their use in other conditions but they still seem to help those with nerve damage.  (they did not give specific drug names, but I would check with your endocrinologist as to what they are)  Choices include medications also used for:  seizure prevention, depression and pain.  
Other ways to help ease the pain include:  Capsaicin cream made from hot peppers - rub on skin.
TENS unit blocks pain signals
Relaxation training, hyponosis or biofeedback
Acupuncture
Photo energy therapy
Please check the archives of this site for other comments on this topic and I am sure that others who read your post, who have tried other means of relief will share their experiences with you, so keep checking back.