That sounds good. Can you recommend (or PM me) a brand?

I've been taking 600 mg of Jarrow's Alpha Lipoic Acid with Biotin. When I recently ran out, I thought I was experiencing a relapse of my foot cramps, and an increase in burning and fatigue. As soon as I went back on it, I felt a bit better.

Obviously, the fluctuations in my symptoms could be due to something else, but it occurred to me that it might be the alpha lipoic acid.

I use Doctor's Best. I started with Country Life because it was a tablet. At first 100mg a day was too much...so I used 50mg a day for that first bottle, breaking them in half. As I got used to the jived feelings which seemed to taper, I just replaced with Doctor's Best Caps 100mg, as they seemed more economical. I use Doctor's Best quite a bit for other things and find it quite good. But other brands are good too...
NOW, Country Life, Jarrow are also quality and affordable. But not one type has everything, you know, so I think we all end up with various brands.

I just started Country Life 100 mg capsules (best deal we found when we ordered, but that probably changes daily) this morning.

Actually, I should say, this morning "B". I have to laugh - now my pill regimens are split into "A" groups (on an empty stomach) followed by the "B" groups an hour later (with food). (Heavy sigh....)

I see also that a 60 day trial is recommended to determine efficacy (efficaciousness?). Coincidentally(?), this brand came in a 60 day supply (when I've noticed most supplements seem to come in 30 day supplies).

Keeping my fingers crossed (can't feel my toes to cross them!)

Doc

I read here that it could take up to 60 days to notice any effect from taking R-lipoic. Is it possible - even conceivable - that I could be noticing a difference in just a couple of days, or am I just having an unusually good day?

Doc

It is possible... especially if you are getting some glucose reduction, and that translates into your feet.

Many people come here posting that sugar, ice cream, heavy intake of high glycemic carbs, makes them worse.

I am going to do some testing on myself soon, since I have to take my sugars often before starting Glumetza, for my insulin resistance that is bleeding over into beginning diabetes. (I've controlled this for many years with diet, and seem to be losing that battle finally).

But I will test with lipoic actions too. I went off 2 weeks ago, and will test for 2 days, and then start taking it again before I start the Glumetza. My last fasting was 10 pts lower, using lipoic, but I don't know if that is the reason or something else that day did it. My testing strips just came today, finally after a long delay with the USPS.

I don't think there could be much. I've been tested for diabetes numerous times, including glucose tolerance - all negative, and two PN specializing neuros told me I'm not even "pre-diabetic" (cuz I specifically asked). Also, I'm on Dr. Tennant's diet, which is mostly protein, and the rest vegetables. I'm not eating sweets, fruits, or other sugars (except what's converted from the veggies on the diet, which excludes high-sugar veggies anyway).

Today is day 7 without burning.

Doc

That's great that your burning is lessening!

I had normal readings for years, while insulin resistant.
2 GTTs also normal.

The only abnormality was fasting INSULIN levels. In fact my fasting glucoses would be 70-80, while the INSULIN levels would be elevated.

Then BOOM... even with conservative diet (Zone similar), they suddenly went up. I don't have a corresponding foot issue though this time. My feet have been rather quiet. (except for that ankle which responds to Aleve).

It can all get very confusing sometimes and complicated.
I didn't do the lipoic test yet... I was concentrating on the many readings I took over the last few days.

Dr S/ Mrs D,

I began taking Doctors Best R Alpha Lipoic Acid @ 100mg a couple of weeks ago then slowly titrated my way up to 200, 300 and now today at 600mg. I really did not notice any difference until today when I started taking 200mg 3 times daily spread out at a minimum of 4 hours apart. (Read you should somewhere or bad things can happen?)
So far I have noticed improvement in pain and burning in my feet. I know it is too soon to tell, maybe I am in the honeymoon phase or just having a good day, but this is the most hope I have had since this treachery started 8 months ago. I am going to have to ask my doctor to help me closely monitor my blood sugar to make sure it does not drop too low. But I am hopeful right now I will post again in a few days...

When lipoic acid is used as a chelator of heavy metals (mostly mercury), it is used this way every 4 hours.

This may be a clue to your cause of your PN. Not everyone is going to need this extremely high dose. AND you may not need it this high forever, so be flexible as time passes. Your body may change its needs with time.

Can you clarify the name? Is your product Doctor's Best R-lipoic acid stabilized? If so the word alpha is not in that particular product.

Mrs D,

Thanks for the reply! Yes you are right the Alph is not in the name:
Doctor's Best, Best Stabilized R-Lipoic Acid, 100 mg, 60 Veggie Caps

When you say this may be a clue to the cause of my PN, are you saying that this could possibly point the finger at some type of heavy metal poisoning? I know I was tested for copper, can't remeber what else off the top of my head. Maybe I should ask my neuro for a more comprehensive set of metal tests?