Originally Posted by mrsD

For best absorption, the lipoic should be on an empty stomach too. That is less critical than the B12, but some reduction in absorption may occur with food. That was the recommendation for ALA--the racemic older form. But it may be true for the stabilized form as well.

Do the lipoic in addition for a month, and if you then want to add in another try Benfotiamine 300mg a day. Many here get some results from it as well. If the benfotiamine works, look at the possibility you have Candida overgrowth in your bowel. I'd try Kefir daily (similar to yogurt but BETTER with more strains of beneficial probiotic bacteria.) Lifeway kefir is in many stores now and is not expensive and very delicious. Yeasts like Candida make aldehydes as byproducts of metabolism, which can cause paresthesias in some people.