Whoops, I left out Benfotiamine in my post.

Some doctors are suggesting to cut back on calcium supplements to 600mg a day tops, when taking high dose Vit D.

http://www.trackyourplaque.com/blog/...vitamin-d.html

Hi, I am new to this forum. I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy following an EMG the end of March 2010. All my blood work was normal except for a B12 of 190. (I had to insist that my neurologist even run a B12 test on me--he said he didn't think I could have a low B12 since I maintain a good diet.) My neurologist told me that 190 was not low, and I would not benefit from treatment with B12 injections. My husband and I insisted that a value of 190 was low and the neurologist begrudingly gave us a prescription for B12 injections. My husband fortunately was able to give me the injections at home. I started B12 injections as well as oral supplements on April 7. I also started acupuncture the same week. The burning in my legs was horrific. I screamed all night and cried all day. I had pain in my thighs as well. I could not sleep and was prescribed Ambien. I was able to sleep with the Ambien but also got very depressed while on the Ambien and quit eating, thus losing over 10 lbs in short order. I was then prescribed Paxil. I was spiraling down very fast and not wanting to live if I had to have this pain all my life and take all kinds of drugs to control the pain. However, by week five on the injections, supplements, and acupuncture my body finally began to rally. The burning and pain in my legs stopped and now the numbness in my feet and hands is almost completely gone. I was fortunate to have a wonderful support group of family and friends who prayed for me daily and I know that God has answered all our prayers.

I tell everyone I meet now to have their B12 checked. I am 58 years old and in good health. I have been treated for hypothyroidism for over 30 years and I now know there is a link between thyroid disease and malabsorption of B12. I also used Pepcid fairly regularly and had a high intake of caffeine every day, all of which prevent the absorption of B12. I have taken alcohol, sugar, and caffeine out of my diet.

Please do not let your doctor tell you that B12 is not a factor. Have your B12checked. I had to plead with my neurologist to even check mine and then plead with him to treat me with B12 injections. If you are below 500 demand to be treated. Now two months after being diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy I feel that I am about 90% recovered. Don't let them tell you your PN is idiopathic. Keep reading and doing research, be a strong advocate for your own health. If I had not done all this detective work myself regarding B12 I would be bed bound by now, on Lyrica, Paxil, and Ambien every day because my doctor said I was pretty much doomed and encouraged me to take all these medications.

The supplement I have been using is Nerve Support Formula which I purchased on Amazon because shipping is free. This treats neuropathy, no matter what is causing it. You have to take it consistently at fairly high doses for at least two months to get benefit. Their consultants are available all day to talk to you and help you individually. I think the combination of B12 oral supplements, injections, and acupuncture has pretty much healed me and I want to share my story with everyone. I am happy to communicate with anyone on this topic. There is help out there.

I am so glad you are getting better. Stories like yours continue to amaze me that doctors can be so ignorant of this simple yet vital nutrient!

That supplement you are using should be taken on an empty stomach, if you are not already doing so. The micrograms of B12 can be lost in food/fiber so empty stomach allows for the best absorption. You could also just use methylcobalamin orally and save quite a bit of $$, but that is your choice. I don't agree that your supplement would treat all forms of neuropathy however. That sounds like a sales pitch to me.
B12 and benfotiamine work for those low in those nutrients. Some neuropathies are autoimmune and have other factors that cause them besides low B12.
Some PNs are from direct toxic effects of drugs or poisons and may occur in people with normal B12 levels.

But in any event it is working for YOU...so keep up the good work, and I wish you the best and continued improvements.

My husband fortunately was able to give me the injections at home. I started B12 injections as well as oral supplements on April 7. I also started acupuncture the same week. The burning in my legs was horrific. I screamed all night and cried all day. I had pain in my thighs as well. I could not sleep and was prescribed Ambien. I was able to sleep with the Ambien but also got very depressed while on the Ambien and quit eating, thus losing over 10 lbs in short order. I was then prescribed Paxil. I was spiraling down very fast and not wanting to live if I had to have this pain all my life and take all kinds of drugs to control the pain. However, by week five on the injections, supplements, and acupuncture my body finally began to rally. The burning and pain in my legs stopped and now the numbness in my feet and hands is almost completely gone. I was fortunate to have a wonderful support group of family and friends who prayed for me daily and I know that God has answered all our prayers.

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I have chemo induced PN and take 5K mcg of B12 daily. I had started out having B12 injections on a weeky basis but switched to the oral form. I would like to know how often you do the injections and what the dosage is as I considering resuming injections.

I would also like to know which supplements you use besides B12. TIA

Mrs. D

What form of curcumin do you recommend. I recall on another post you saying there was a certain form you would recommend, but don't recall you posting the details. Thanks in advance

There are several enhanced forms of curcumin out there now.

Curcugel is affordable and I have used it.
There are also forms with Bioperine added, but if you take RX drugs I'd prefer you avoid Bioperine products until more research clears it as safe. Bioperine enhances absorption of many things, and drugs were not developed in dosing relating to it.

This is a long thread, but it has alot of information on it that is useful to help you select a product you can afford, and that will work:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...light=curcumin

The Parkinson's forum also has many curcumin threads, as they use it too. Some of theirs is more research oriented, but if you search there you will find plenty to read also.

Regular curcumin that is not enhanced, will remain in the GI tract and act as an antioxidant there. Good for Crohn's, and other inflammatory problems localized to the GI tract.

Mrs D,
Do you know anything about the potential effects of resveratrol on PN?

Mrs. D - Thank you for sending me the link to all the posts about supplements for PN and the links to articles about PN (causes, diagnosis, and treatments). All very helpful!!!

I know all supplements/treatments won't work for all types of PN. What do you know about PN caused by autoimmune disorder, like Sjogren's Syndrome, or caused by autonomic nervous system dysfunction. If PN has one of those causes, will supplementation still be effective? Or is PN that is caused by autoimmune or autonomic problems less responsive to supplementation therapy? I can't remember where I got this sense, but I remember seeing this somewhere. Hopefully I am wrong.

Thank you.

@mrsD
Love your awesome answers to so many peoples questions. I wanted your opinion on this. I'm trying to get as much help, without breaking the bank. I know that all these supplements are important, I just wonder if this kind of "all in one" supplement is worth it, or should I get them separately?
I'm also taking Nerve Renew, which has B vitamins, as well as vitamin D, benfotiamine, and R-Alpha Lipoic acid.

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