Started biotin (1000 mcg/day) two weeks ago, to aid in fuelling conversion of pregnenolone and DHEA as mentioned in previous post. Read that biotin and B5 can compete for absorption if taken together, so I'm taking the B5 morning & evening, and the biotin midday. No noticeable difference, so for the time being, I'm just assuming it's doing its thing in the background.

Saw our PCP today. He is delighted with my improvement - "Hey, I'm for whatever works," he says.

Got the lab order for blood tests coming up in June, and touched base on other issues.

Feeling pretty good, all things considered. Doing more, and in much better spirits.

Doc

I've also read that biotin utilization may be blocked some (not 100%) by lipoic acid use.

So I am ordering it too, from Puritan's this go round. This is the longest I've used lipoic acid.... my previous attempts were brief, because it didn't work= the older version ALA.

Biotin is also blocked by uncooked egg whites, and sometimes my boiled eggs are a bit soft and runny... not good for biotin I guess?

Thanks. I think I've got that covered, as I'm taking my RLA in the morning, and biotin around 2 pm (6 hrs apart)

Not a fan of runny eggs, so I don't see that as a problem either.

Doc

Here is an article explaining this biotin issue:

http://www.geronova.com/content/lipoic-acid-biotin

It also mentions B5.

I'm not sure what you're saying (or trying to say) here. From that link:
This is exactly what I'm doing. If your concern is the B5 competing with RLA, I don't think there's a problem, as:
1. I only take RLA in the morning
2. I take B5 morning & evening (12 hr interval)
3. It's been 8 months (B5), and if the RLA were being interfered with, I would think it would have stopped working and the burning would have returned. It hasn't.

Doc

What I am saying by providing the link, is that there is potential for interaction.

Data on supplements is often confusing and people with certain genetic failures, respond differently to them. Just like for drugs....genetic handling of drugs determine their toxicity and/or therapeutic effects or lack thereof. The transport of all 3 of these nutrients in this article may also explain your unique response to them. You may have a genetic need others don't possess.

It is not an easy to understand concept. Your bringing up the biotin, opened the door to the biotin controversy, and others who read here might appreciate the link I provided.

The only unique response I'm aware of is how fast RLA (and only RLA) worked for me, and I don't know for sure that that's unique.

If I have some genetic need (and I don't know of any evidence or way to prove that) or if there's some other reason regarding the three supplements, many others have it too, and I thought others might appreciate what I've found, as well as what's working for others that doesn't affect me.

The majority - 28 out of 33 (~85%) - in the study reported improvement when taking B5 with RLA. I wish the study was larger and corroborated, but at the moment it's all we've got, and at least it's on people and not rats.

Many other people are reporting positive results with B5 for other conditions as well, from chronic acne to CFS to Lupus (SLE), and more.

One thing I've observed about claims about B5 is that they all involve large to mega doses. I don't know how I feel about that. Larger doses of other vitamins (B12, D3) are recommended here. They are better studied, and we can only hope that B5 will receive similar attention in the near future; IMO there's a little too much coincidence to dismiss it without a closer look.

There is insufficient evidence that B5 does anything for most of its claims, and I admit I'm skeptical about many/most of them myself, but that's not why I'm taking it anyway. It's coincidental that it seems to be helping some of those claims, and I'll take what I can get. Maybe there's something to them, or maybe I'm lucky, but I'm not alone. Also, like B12, C, and some other water solubles, there's no upper limit to dosage, and side effects are genrally negligible until one takes obscenely massive doses, so while it may do nothing, it can't hurt to try it and see.

B5 and biotin with adrenal hormones - I don't know if that's being done. I'm doing it myself based on what I've gleaned from looking into it. The adrenal hormones are Doctor Tennant's work, and many, many of his patients are benefitting from that - including at least two I've met here on NT. I think a LOT more chronic pain patients could benefit as well, particularly those that fit the profile - long periods of un(der) treated intractable pain and/or long-term opioid use. This therapy is new, like RLA for PN was at one time. All developments must start somewhere and build.

I wish I could say ALC worked for me as well, but it doesn't.

My lab results are in. 3 out of the 4 adrenal hormones I've been tracking/treating are now well within normal range, and I am feeling very good in some respects -- particularly in spirit. However the 4th hormone level is still significantly below minimum, even for my age, etc. which has me concerned. I'm thinking of considering another cause/reason for this, so I'll have to spend some time "digging in" (so to speak).

I'm still somewhat in awe of how much better I'm feeling/coping with the pain, yet still wondering how much better still things could/might be if I could get that 4th level within normal range.

I have to say that this therapy has proven (IMO) to be a qualified success -- VERY worthwhile -- and I encourage any/every chronic/intractable pain patient to get their adrenal hormone levels tested as per Dr. Tennant's articles/recommendations (See Post #1 of this thread or Post #12 in the Useful Sites & Resources "Sticky" thread).

This therapy has worked better for me than any other Pain Mangement Therapy tried. Q.E.D.

Best wishes, and less pain!

Doc