I've thought the same thing, but then I pick myself up and dig in with hope and resolve. Funny you should post this today... have you seen Liza Janes post? It's only idiopathic until you find the cause, maybe.

I've asked the same question, and in my case, it matters only somewhat. For those who have 'temporary' PN -- like from a vitamin deficiency or a few other causes -- it indeed matters because finding the cause suggests the cure. For those whose PN is progressing rapidly it also matters because they are racing time.

I gave up on finding the cause of mine because it didn't seem to matter, except that I discovered some triggers that exacerbate it and the RLA that stopped the burning. Even though I repeatedly test negative for any kind of diabetes, my PN reacts as if I were diabetic, so I listen to my body.

Once again, it seems to come down to everyone being different, though I tend to agree that there may be a fair percentage of people for whom the cause may not matter -- only the symptoms can be treated. YMMV.

Doc

Question from relatively new member: what's RLA? (Sorry--I'm familiar with most of the acronyms used on this board and can look up most of the others, but I don't know this one.)

R-Lipoic Acid

There are many threads in the archives.

Doc

Thanks for the speedy reply -- but now I'll bug you with one more question: Is that different from (better than) Alpha Lipoic Acid?

Yes Rlipoic is supposedly better because of the way it absorbs better using less product. Wish I could take it, it cause acid reflux for me but many people here have great success with it. Use the search box and put in Rlipoic acid and read all the stuff on it.

I figure if my PN is due to a supplement deficiency I will find it since I am aiming to hit all the main supplements and already do with most.

I have decided NOT to bother with an further testing at this point.

IMO, yes. Alpha Lipoic Acid is made up of mirror image (left-handed and right-handed) molecules called R and S. A better description can be found here on Wiki.

While it seems that taking the R form would require taking only half as much, for some reason it works out that only 1/6 the amount is required. Difference in cost is not (IMO) significant, and I'd rather take 100 mg of something that's doing me some good than 600 mg of something, half of which is useless.

There is now also a stabilized form of RLA that is less prone to breaking down with temperature/humidity.

So the current prevailing wisdom here is taking 100 mg/day of stabilized RLA rather than 600 mg (2 x 300 mg)/day of ALA.

Doc

Stacy, maybe you can try a slow release ALA.