Question: The label on my Doctor's Best Benfotiamine says to take it with or without food. Which is correct?

Thanks!

It is well absorbed either way.

Mrs. D....
I have been taking Doctors Best Benfotiamine 150mg's dailly (3 a day)

Also, been taking Source Naturals Methylcobalamin Vit B-12 1mg (2 a day

as well as Doctor's Best Stabilized R-Lipoic Acid (1 a day) (like you, more than 1 makes me a bit too anxious).

I take 3,000 IU's Vit. D3 daily (per doctor)

I felt my PN; especially the burning feet and ankles was a little less and had more energy than previously. (I have been on all the above for at least 5 months.)

The past few weeks have noticed my legs and groin have developed, at times, an ache, which is hard to describe. I think it might be muscle pain, not sure. This is making my walking more difficult. This is not every day; but a few times a week. There are times it improves during the day. This pain is something new and different, but is quite painful and am starting to worry my ability to walk is being compromised. I do use a cane for balance when going out. In the house, do not use the can as much because of short distances.

I do take meds daily for Edema of feet and legs; which seem to keep the swelling pretty much under control. Nothing has changed in this area so I do not think this has anything to do with the aching legs and groin.

Really would appreciate your thoughts on this?
Thanks,
Gerry

Mrs. D,
I had listed the supplements I had been taking so you would have additional information when asking whether you had any thoughts or ideas about causes for the groin and leg pain that started a few weeks ago.

It is happening every few days. This is new and not sure what may have started this painful ache. Hard to describe; possible muscle pain? Like I mentioned previously, this is from the groin down the whole leg; especially the back of the legs; but right and left groin areas as well. It has made walking, at times very difficult and getting quite concerned. I have not added any new prescriptions or supplements.

I would really appreciate what, if any, suggestions or thoughts you may have.

Gerry

I think groin pain is possibly hip pain. If it is in the back it can be also sciatic pain or sacral arthritis. If you have a lower back issue, you will also feel pain down the backs of the thighs.

When I fell several years ago, I damaged a tendon in the thigh, called the adductor. This tendon attaches to the bottom of the pelvis. And let me tell you...when that tendon flamed up I was unable to walk, lift my leg, roll over in bed, and the only pain relief I had was aspirin! I couldn't even dress myself! Aleve didn't work. It hurt sitting, walking standing lying down...everywhere!

I still get minor aches there which I use my magnets for. And I had to do 3 months of PT for it.

Here is a link with illustrations. Hip pain is complex and can also be due to bursitis:

http://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0401/p2109.html

Pain in the groin can also be meralgia, but that is typically down the front of the thigh only. Not in the back of the thigh.

If your pain continues, you'll have to see a doctor, for this, I think.

If you can take aspirin, try some AlkaSeltzer original formula.
If it works then it points to an inflammatory cause.
Just sitting on high stools, or "director's chairs" can put a strain on the lower back for some people. So you might not even think of that as a trigger etc. And you can herniate a disc anytime!

Mrs. D.
In November, it will be 6 years I had lumbar spine fusion/laminectomy. Also doctor said nerve was badly crushed (said he never had seen such a red angry nerve like this before).

Eventually went on narcotics for pain which caused terrible constipatation (take daily laxatives) leading to my bladder coming down (Cystocele surgery; bladder in Mesh Sling), following year, small bowel came down (Rectocele Surgery). After bladder surgery the PN pain really got even worse and developed edema as venuous stasis; feet, legs and ankles.

This groin pain, along with leg pain (do have in front as well as back of legs) just seems more prominent back of the legs and behind the knee cap area. As I mentioned this has made walking even more difficult. Since I have had pain from the waist down to the toes, this pain is something new and different from what I have been dealing with all along. I had the siatica pain before fusion and this does not feel the like that.

I will look up more info on bursitis of the groin. Do you think this would affect the legs making walking even more difficult? This is both legs and both side groin pain.

I did see Pain Specialist's assistant about a week ago and mentioned this pain. She thought it might be muscle pain. I do take vallium, along with narcotic meds. She thought I should try increasing the vallium since this is not only for anxiety; but for muscle pain as well. I already take two 5mg's vallium a day. Have added an extra half; much more makes me too groggy. The bursitis sounds like a possible.

Thanks,

Gerry