Welcome to NeuroTalk, Drew.

Do you have any evidence that the product which claims to have either 600mg per dose, or 300mg per dose only contains 1% of that claim?

Many things claim to be homeopathic in US, and use higher than homeopathic doses. The true definition of homeopathy can become quite clouded here.

I have my doubts about this product anyway, so I would like a bit more information, please.

While you cannot link yet, being new, you can give a hint to a Google keyword search for those of us who wish to learn more.

Yes Drew, I was going to possibly order some but will hold off until getting this until I can gain access to some of additional information you have stated.

Hi MrsD and bent98,
It's very frustrating indeed but I can no longer find the page which gave specific details of the make up and ingredients of Normast. They've removed all such 'ingredients' passages from their own websites and Googling everywhere else either brings you back to the Dutch or English language Normast sites (all run by the same person). What I do remember is that the 'active ingredient' palmitoylethanolamide, was less than 1% of the total due to 'micronising' (their word not mine). Now micronising means reduction of the base element as part of the accepted homeopathic preparation process. I'm still trying to track down the active ingredients, or at least evidence of them but am not having any luck at the moment. That in itself should set alarm bells ringing in people's minds - why would you buy something without knowing exactly what was in it?
I hope MrsD, you'll be able to look at the Google translation of the two links in Dutch that I sent you because, despite the bad English that you undoubtedly will see, Google tends to translate to pigeon English) you'll be able to see how the Dutch organisation for investigating quacks and charlatans has come to some very strong conclusions about Mr, Keppel Hesselink and his dubious practices - his claimed qualifications are pretty much fantasy (as those articles show).

As you may have seen from my other post, I am a long term neuropathy sufferer myself and 4 years ago set about collecting as much genuine and expert information in one place about the disease and its treatment, to share with others. This is really to show you the nature of my involvement with neuropathy. In the course of all that research, I've come across various con men and scams in that time (especially in shady clinics in the States) as I'm sure you have. It upsets me greatly when people set out to make money out of the desperation of people with neuropathic pain. People will jump at anything which promises to take their pain away but we all know that nerve damage is not curable (in the long term) and the medications to reduce pain are limited. It is inconceivable that a product such as Normast would have escaped the attention of the major pharmaceurical companies if it were genuine. They're only aim after all is also to make money...but only from successful and tested products (the FDA makes sure of that).
If anyone can find the ingredients and their proportions, or even a number of people who have genuinely benefited from Normast (without having to use other things alongside) and not those on the forums written by keppel hesselink himself, then maybe things will become a little clearer. My neurologist here in Amsterdam is convinced that people who claim to have done well with Normast are showing placebo effects rather than genuine physical improvement and relief from the symptoms.
Keppel Hesselink remains under suspicion here in the Netherlands but like in all bureaucratic systems, the wheels of change move very slowly, so it may be some time before he is forbidden to practise. He can't be struck off the register because he isn't on one - he is only a self proclaimed acupuncturist here in this country and is not recognised as a professor, or as holding a chair in medical pharmacology at a German university. Proof of this is in those two Dutch links I included last time - sorry MrsD, I realise this is putting the onus on you but you need genuine proof and my translating them, is not convincing enough i fear.

I just feel that people should be very careful about ordering Normast - don't believe all you read and do your own research (outside the company's own sites). If you can't find anything then that should be suspicious enough. Having said that, from what I can see, Normast will not do direct harm but a homeopathic treatment cannot mend broken nerves and its painkilling properties are doubtful considering that the body makes PEA itself. If we need a supplement, then it first has to be proved that we have a deficiency and Ergomax and Epitech can't do that.

Bent98,
you mentioned a possible combination of Normast and Lyrica (pregabalin) in one of your replies. You do realise that Pfizer (the manufacturer of Lyrica) withdrew its support for Lyrica being used for certain types of neuropathy in May this year(2012)? Included in these was HIV-related neuropathy and diabetes induced neuropathy. I can send you links to the relevant articles if you wish but just Googling Lyrica withdrawn by Pfizer for neuropathy should give you all the information you need.
There have been so many side effect reactions and court cases that this was probably inevitable but still, it was a major move by Pfizer to withdraw approval for their own product.
Maybe you know this already; if so apologies.

Thank you Drew. I did go to your website and it is a very nice one IMO. You have poured quite of bit of time and energy into it.

Micronizing can also mean the particle size is tiny... this often helps with solubility issues, which I think this product being a fatty acid, would need help with solubility. Especially in that powder form for under the tongue.

I wonder about that method of administration too. Under the tongue in the beginning and oral later? That is really odd. Why not under the tongue all the time if that works?

I searched this again for almost an hour yesterday, and could not find much other than the new company advertising. That is a concern, I agree.

Some places that make supplements make them seem special and expensive. That is to inflate belief in their results. The special routine of using the sachets under the tongue to start and then orally later seems to fit that bill for them. A magical dosing arrangement. I also noticed that in the study on the video, it only went 3 weeks.
The supplement really needs 2 months or more to show improvements from what I saw in other statements.

Anyway I'll keep looking. I always do And I am always amazed how people find our topics here so quickly. Thank you Drew for coming on here to discuss this with us!

Just found this paper from Italy:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22845893
July 2012

I didnt see a link to Drew's website. Can we posted it here?

Drew,

Thanks for the info, I was just about to order the supplement as I am desperate to get relief. I am aware of the announcement about Lyricia but it’s the only drug that seems to respond a little for my pain. I guess I am going to have to try and increase my Namenda dose.

Whats that pubnet paper from July 2012. It looks legit?

Here it is:
http://neuropathyandhiv.blogspot.com/

Newbies cannot post links, so I will instead.

Hallo MrsD,
Thanks for your message.
I also noticed that most of the Normast sites, advise the use of Normast in combination with other things which are in themselves, well-known treatments for neuropathic pain. There's just not enough concrete information or proof, which is why mr Keppel Hesselink continues to be investigated here in Holland. Any company which refuses to show the exact ingredients of a compound or preparation, shouldn't really be trusted.
Furthermore, the advice is that Normast should be used over a considerable period of time (in excess of 6 weeks) before you may notice any effect. Judging by the forums, most people have noticed no improvement after that time but because they also take other, more recognised drugs (antidepressants, epilepsy drugs etc, Tramadol, Oxycontin etc) they just can't be sure if any one thing is helping on its own. Advising people that they need to fork out for at least 6 weeks of Normast is of course, a sure way of getting repeat orders. The 'I don't know it it's helping but am sacred to stop in case it is', syndrome, keeps many companies in the supplement industry in business.
Anyway, I'm also continuing the search for more information and of course will let you know if i find anything definitive.
Best wishes,
Dave Richardson (Drew50)

Hi, I have found this all very interesting.
if theres doubt about Normast can we not just buy Palmitoylethanolamide instead?
i dont know much about it but surly this compound is in other products too if its a natural substance?
what is exactly is patented by Epitech?