I am relatively new in this forum. I would really appreciate if you can direct me to the post where Mrs. D listed the kind of foods/diets/supplements/vitamins for Peripheral Neuropathy.

I was diagnosed with idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy, after having been tested with all sorts of tests. I am willing to try everything just to get relief from this terrible and horrible pain. Like you, even the softest clothing give me pain. I have stabbing, prickly, jabbing, lacinating pain in both my legs and arms. My feet are also painful that it hard to stand and walk.

Do you also feel that intermittent sensation of coldness that creates "goose pimples" in your skin?

Would appreciate your reply.
Thanks.

This is our SubForum with lots of informational threads:
Supplements is one thread there.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum119.html

I also have specific vitamin threads at the Vitamin Forum here...
magnesium, B6, and essential fatty acids.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread1138.html

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread92116.html

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread30724.html

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=6092

Thank you very much Mrs. D.

I am new in this group but I could see all the help you have given to members who are suffering the horrible and unimaginable pain, like me.

I wrote a very long message before this but I did not realize i was logged off.

So, i have to re-write this message....

As mentioned in my earlier posts, I have been tested will all possible tests but they all came back normal, except for my thyroid function. My neurologists do not seem to be concerned about the numbers because they think its not too way off.
I have been reading about the benefits of A Lipoic Acid and R Lipoic Acid but they have side effects on hypothyroidism. I want to try it but I am concerned that it may cause havoc to my hypothyroidism.

Also, Mrs. D, do you think that calcium supplement has effect on the absorption of Gabapentin. What about fiber supplements e.g. Metamucil and Fiber Choice, do they affect Gabapentin? I am sorry if my questions on spacing sounds fuzzy, but as you would understand when you experience the kind of pain like we do, we would want to optimize the efficacy of each medication.

I have to shorten my message as I may have to be logged off again. My previous message was more detailed of my condition.

Anyway, thank you again so much Mrs. D.
I am truly grateful for all your replies.

Idiopathic PN

The thyroid "warning" is based on ONE study on animals only.
It used only ALPHA racemic ALA and not the purified R-lipoic.
So the other portion of the racemic version may be the culprit, but no one knows.

It has never been done on humans or replicated. Replication by other study groups is typically needed before concrete
conclusions can be brought on medical issues.

When any "negative" thing appears in searches of MedLine, all the quality online sites pick it up and repeat it. In this case it has not been proven at all at this time and not in humans.

People on thyroid treatments, should be monitored anyway carefully for changes. So any effects would show up that way.

I am hypo and I take R-lipoic and have noticed no new signs of my hypo that I suffered with before I was diagnosed. In fact my cold intolerance is better!

It is your choice in the end, but consider the decision is based on very little evidence.

I'd take the gabapentin by itself spaced a long way time wise from any mineral supplement. Magnesium is ++ (called divalent) like calcium and iron are and it has shown to reduce gabapentin's absorption in the GI tract. Gabapentin is already not well absorbed under ideal conditions.

Fiber is well known to complex out some drugs. Fiber will prevent thyroid hormone from being absorbed at all!
I would space out fiber as well, away from gabapentin AND thyroid replacement hormones.

I do have to agree with Mrs. D. I take R-Lpoic as well. Also, take Synthroid on an empty stomach first thing in the a.m. I do not see any problems stemming from the R-Lipoic while using Synthroid.

The one thing that is most important I have learned, thru experience and internet, DO NOT use a generic for Synthroid. Brand only (synthroid) should be used; never generic. While it may have same ingredients, amounts are different. When I used the levothroxine, it did make a difference in my numbers and showed I needed to raise the amount. I asked my endocronologist to let me stay on the same dose; but change to check Brand Only on my subscription for Synthroid only. Went for blood work three months later; I did not need a change. That was about 3 years ago and have stayed on the same dose continuallyl

I was diagnosed with Hyperthroid (Graves Disease) about 16 years ago. Was treated with tapazole for a few years. Went into remission for a couple of years. I have been hypothroid now for over 5 years. Ever since my throid disease started, about 16 years ago, i have gone to an endocronologist, specializing in throid disease.

Every 4 to 6 months, I have blood work done testing the Throid. Because of this, we have been able to know when I had gone from one, remission; now hyperthroid which I will probably be the rest of my life.

I admit when I first started the R-Lipoic, I would feel a little hyper so I stay on the 100 mg's and do not go any higher. In the hope of the possibility of regenerating nerves, I take MethylCobalamin (Vit. B12), Doctors Best Benfotiamine 150mg's, and Doctor's Best Stabilized R-Lipoic Acid.

I believe my PN is caused by spine surgery over 5 years ago compressing major nerves, plus additional surgeries, bladder, etc. I have not done testing to find out the cause for sure. I don't think it would make any difference.

(Gerry)

@ Idiopathic:

I forgot to mention the "fix" for being logged out.

When you log in there is a little box next to your name field.
It says "remember me"....and if you check it you won't be auto-logged out for time issues. Then you can take your time typing in any reply box.

I always LOG OUT...when I leave, as this will clear those cookies created.

Thank you so much Mrs. D!

Sometimes, when the pain is reduced to a tolerable level, I find humor in the schedules of my day. It seems that my day revolves around observing what medicines to take at what time. Please give me your th oughts on my spacing:

1. 5 AM - Synthroid (empty stomach)
2. 6 AM - VB12 - methylcobalamin (empty stomach)
3. 7 AM - Gabapentin, then I i eat breakfast
4. 9 AM - Vitamins and supplements
5. 10 AM - Calcium supplement
6. 2 PM - Gabapentin
7. 4 PM - Calcium supplement (I need to take this 3x a day due to an early sing of osteoporosis)
8. 5 PM - Fiber supplement
9. 7 PM - Gabapentin
10. 9 PM - Fiber supplement (I need to take another fiber before sleeping due to the effect of gabapentin on my BM)

You see Mrs. D, with this spacing, I could not follow the 3x a day for my calcium because I dont know when to squeeze calcium knowing it will affect the gabapentin.

I will try the R-Lipoic Acid.... I will start on the lowest dosage. Can I take it together with my other supplements at 9AM?

May I know what medicine/s are you taking for your neuropathy? Gabapentin is my first medication and I think I will stick to it. My 2nd neuro told me during my last visit that she will consider giving me Cymbalta if my symptoms do not improve. Is this a good combination for neuropathy?

Thank you very much!!! I truly appreciate your generosity of sh aring your time and information.

Idiopathic PN

P.s. I checked the "remember me" box. Thanks again!!!!

Hi Gerrry,
Thank you for your thoughts. I am taking the brand Synthroid and not the generic. Eversince I had my total thyroidectomy, i was on the same brand for years now.

Idiopathic PN

The R-lipoic stablized is for empty stomach too.
I guess the time to take would be with the B12.

Thank you so much. You dont know how grateful I am for your time and kindness. I dont know of anybody in my family or among my friends whom I can compare notes. That is why I am so grateful I discovered this community.

Is the combination of Gabapentin and Cymbalta effective for neuropathy? My neuro mentioned that if nothing improves with Gabapentin, she will combine my medicine with Cymbalta.

Thank you.