I watch my sugar, and try to keep my insulin resistance under control.

My initial bout with PN was over 30 yrs ago, and turned out to be from hypothyroidism. That was fixed finally, and my feet woke up and my hands were better (avoided carpal tunnel surgery), but then the insulin resistance came along.

I also have some food triggers... nightshade veggies. Potatoes are the worst but some tomato products will also do it. Burning... burning feet and lower legs. I use Biofreeze for that when it hits, but so far it is less if I behave myself with food choices.

My PN therefore is multifactorial, but for the most part under control. I use R-lipoic acid, benfotiamine, acetyl carnitine (not every day) Vit c 500mg, OptiZinc because of my lisinopril depletes it. I use Suntheanine at night, melatonin, either Zyrtec or Benadryl (I rotate these), MegaRed Krill oil, kelp extract, 5mg of methyl B12 twice a week, and 100mg of Ubinquinol (new) daily. Sometimes I take a multivit if I am not eating well.
Occasionally I take a l-tryptophan for sleep but not every night.
I also use magnesium lotion each night. I think I got it all...

We've done supplements in this house for over a decade. It has been amazing. Got my son off Ritalin, reversed my GERD and asthma, improved hubby's ADD. Lot of other benefits.

So, your PN was not ideopathic - it was related to diabetes and hypthyroidism.

I don't have diabetes and my hypothyroidism is under control (for nearly 30 years) and my B12 levels are normal.

That is an impressive list of supplements. I don't think doctors know much about supplements. Or care. I think for each of us - regardless of the medical problem/symptoms - it's doing research and trial and error with the various supplements.

I am glad you don't have symptoms that often and have found what works (and what to avoid) for you. Plus that's great that this approach has worked for other members of your family.

Vitamin C and Cancer - isn't that what Linus Pauling was saying 40 years ago?

Pauling was promoting oral megadosing, and his studies were criticized for being flawed. This is different, and showing some promise, but the jury's not in yet. (Not taking sides - waiting for the jury... ) From what I've read so far, I'd still be hesitant to use the C-word - "cure" - yet. There may still be a long way to go.

Doc

The keyword I used was "supposedly"

Dr. Levy does make claims that IV Vit c has cured sepsis and heart disease. It is in that link I gave above.

The cancer link was provided by pabb on a thread in Vitamin forum:
http://www.pdazzler.com/archives/62

The Mayo clinic is one of the most conservative medical places in US.
Some posters here have said in the past that Mayo doesn't do skin punch biopsies for PN.

I always wonder about "cancer claims" as those typically show up on fringey sites...like that Jim Hubble!

But if higher blood levels of liposomal Vit C work differently than with regular oral tablets, I think I will try it. Don't know when but I am intrigued. Vit C works on collagen and joint issues well. And has been shown to help RSD which is a neuropathic pain problem.

Hold da phone... Is this the same MrsD who has repeatedly and emphatically decried any supplement that doesn't list exact amounts of proprietary ingredients, natural or otherwise? (I gotta rib ya a little on this one... )

I see ascorbic acid, a LOT of alcohol , some (how much?) lecithin (OK, I can let that slide) and... Essential Phospholipids? (Which ones and how much of each?)

Lecithin IS an essential phospholipid.
Are these essential phospholipids just the lecithin in disguise?

..and that does seem like a LOT of alcohol to put into a little packet.

Ok, I read it, I get it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lypospheric_vitamin_c
Except that the only source cited is the same Dr. Levy...

I may get it more because I've been researching nanotechnology on another matter... But it's still mighty pricey vitamin C!
I wonder if it would be cheaper to encapsulate the stuff in Buckyballs...

Please, tell me Dr. Levy doesn't have a financial stake in this stuff...

Doc

12% of 5ml is .6ml. (if 100% ethanol is used to mix it) Only a small fraction of the total volume.

Vanilla extract (the original one is 35% alcohol) by comparison.
Much of it remains in the food prepared with it.

Most wines are 9-12% alcohol. So this vitamin C product would be similar to a teaspoonful of wine.

The lecithin and phospholipids(they are a family of similar compounds that make membranes) are the emulsifiers providing the membranes to encapsulate the Vit C.
This is vastly different from a "proprietary mix of herbs or whatever"..and I think you know that very well so you really don't need to "rib me".

No I am not idiopathic. I do have some compressive issues on my left ankle/foot from a radical operation on my instep 50 yrs ago to remove a blood tumor. This damaged nerves and sometimes the lymph channels don't drain with it and it can be tough. It is much better with the magnesium lotion however. Many of the damaged nerves have grown back and are not sending normal signals, so I have pain and throbbing now in that large scar.

I am not a diabetic yet. But on the way there, with pre-diabetes and insulin resistance.

Do you think lipoic acid is effective for PN not caused by diabetes or chemo?

Yes, lipoic acid is in formulas that are made with carnitine for mitochondrial support. (example Juvenon).

Here are some of the things it is thought to be useful for also:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipoic_acid

Basically it is a powerful metabolic enhancer, and has years of papers on PubMed for nerve function and other things, including diabetics.

Lipoic acid is starting to be picked by some neuros... as some posters come here saying their neuro recommended it.

It is not frivolous or experimental anymore.

[QUOTE=mrsD;877520]Yes, lipoic acid is in formulas that are made with carnitine for mitochondrial support. (example Juvenon).



The only thing that concerns me somewhat is that it says it can interfere with synthroid, which I take.