Thanks, Doc. I'll try the pantothenic acid, and perhaps the R-lipoic acid as well. The burning pain is my "normal" pain, so it's weirdly less disturbing for me at this point. The zaps and pricks are new for me which is scary. I have this constant fear of my neuropathy getting worse.

[Also, just for the record... the link that MrsD posted further up this thread only said that you shouldn't take the drug that I took if you have prior brain damage. And I wouldn't be having new nerve pain in different places for the first time if this were a parasthesia. So I'm back to understanding my symptoms as peripheral neuropathy, not some sort of parasthesia.]

On a positive note, I have to say it feels great to be heard. Also, I'm thinking of trying myofascial release (a type of massage). I've had a bit of luck with that in the past when a leg injury triggered severe nerve pain in my heel.

I'm with the Doc... If it can't hurt, why not try it?

The study was about taking B5 with RLA; I know of nothing that says the B5 may/will help by itself (but I don't know that it won't either). I started with RLA, and my suggestion would be do the same. Whether it works (I'd give it a couple months) or not, I'd keep taking it when trying the B5 just in case. If that doesn't work, there's probably no need to continue.

There are other supplements worth trying too, but you've probably found those in the sub-forum. Best method is to try one at a time (rather than the shotgun method) so you know what works and what doesn't.

My wife & I use myofascial release ourselves, so... sure.

Doc

Hi Dr. Smith,

What dosage when you started the R-Lipoic Acid and did you have to increase the dosage to get the same result the longer you used it and similarly as with the Pantothenic Acid (Vit B5)? Thanks, Yu Ping

I started on 100 mg. of RLA/day and haven't needed any increase (3˝ yrs?) I tried increasing for a short time but there was no additional benefit, so I dropped back down to 100 mg.

Early on if I missed a day or stopped, the burning would come back. This week I just forgot to fill my vitamin tray and haven't taken any, but no burning (yet). I'll probably keep taking it anyway as it's a good antioxidant, and has other benefits.

Same with the B5 (250 mg/day), but I vary the dosage on that because I also take it for other reasons than PN.

Doc

Thank you.

Yu Ping

Hi Doc,

I went to see my naturopath today and she has no problem with me taking RLA and Vit B5. However, she did mention that the Vit B5 can only be taken for 6 weeks singly without taking other Vit B groups, otherwise my body will be out of balance. Have you heard of this, did you take Vit B complex with the Vit B5?? Thanks, Yu Ping

Hi Yu Ping,

I had not heard of that specifically, but it certainly makes sense, and yes I take a B-complex, additional biotin, additional B12 (methylcobalamin for PN), ester C, and other supplements as well.

I've been a chronic pain (CP) patient longer than just PN. Pain and other forms of stress tend to burn through the water-soluble vitamins (the Bs and C) very quickly, so they must be replenished regularly (daily).

As we know, the best & preferred way to get all vitamins is from food—a well-balance diet. But for a variety of reasons too long to go into, some of us can't/don't get enough of some vitamins, or need more than the average healthy person to meet individual needs. To fill in these "holes" I take supplements.

Doc