Typically the ALA (older version) is used 600mg to 1800mg a day.
Some studies used more than that, even.

1/2 of the ALA is not biologically active, so you are only getting 300mg of R form (active) per 600mg dose.

There are studies showing ALA (older version) does not absorb well with food present, and up to 30% may be wasted per dose if taken with food.

My big thanks - I now feel that I'm definitely NOT taking too much ALA -perhaps this recent increase in dosage will help me more. :)

Acetyl L Carnitine & Alpha Lipoic Acid reaction???
 

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Monday, I took the first vitamin pill of GNC's Acetyl L-Carnitine 500mg and Alpha Lipoic acid 200mg comboMix. With the intention of taking just one pill a day of that along with my regular 300mg of lone ALA at night. The first day I felt fine.

But I noticed a very frightening thing happening to me. The "prickling or needle-stings pains as I call them, have increased in frequency since then, clearly spreading to my scalp, arms, face, legs and back.

Prior to taking this, I did notice an increase on my back and a bit on my scalp, but now it has increased in pain and frequency.

I don't know if this is a side effect of taking the ALA/ALC combo pill, as I have taken both separately before with no problems.

And there was also record breaking levels of high humidity and rain over these very same days.

Today, I feel quite a bit better, noting that some of the prickling has reduced in pain and frequency some (as the weather has gotten much better as well).

But I'm wondering if anyone else here has had the same problem with this mix?

"I'd like to keep taking this ALC/ALA combo, but I'm scared that it might be causing this serious spreading of Neuropathy as some type of side effect -though oddly - it should be doing quite the opposite.

So, I stopped taking the AL Carnitine, specifically the combo pill (ALA/ALC mix) to see how I feel in a day or so. I am still taking 1 300mg of ALA though. Do you think this is a wise thing to do?

Is there any known side effect from ALC/ALA that produces this type of thing???

Please help!!!:eek:

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There is no way of knowing for sure.

I refuse to purchase any GNC product... but you might look at the
inert ingredients listed to see if a filler or something else is in that combo pill.

I don't use combos....I buy single supplements so I can tailor my doses etc. I took ALA many years ago, and it did nothing for me.
I don't recall any side effects but it was a low dose. It used to be ferociously expensive back then, so I gave it up.

I haven't had spectacular results from R-lipoic stabilized either, so I have cut back to twice a week on that one. I had to buy the enteric coated Bromelain for my HAE problem instead with that money. I've also cut back on Benfotiamine, and have seen no difference with that one either. I just bought a new refill bottle of that for vacation, as I sometimes get burning from fish and the sun.

edit to suggest.... you need to keep a journal...and since you love to write, that should be easy for you. You may find a food or alcohol trigger by doing so. Not all symptoms from food come immediately...some are delayed, and a journal might reveal that for you.

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Thanks. I do keep a very detailed and accurate journal. I certainly have this problem listed and monitored in it. In fact, I found a period where I had a very similar problem with increased prickling and such that bothered me for over a week in months past. Long before I took the new ALA/ALC mix.

Just yesterday, I finally found a Primary Care doctor that will help me manage my PN and give me the tests I need, as well as read the results to me clearly. This is a huge breakthrough for me. As I did not have this before.

I have noticed that the prickling pains have lightened some and are a bit less frequent, since a couple of days go. Though I still feel it spreading to other parts of my body that I have not felt since my PN first started.

I'll keep the changes updated on this, as I feel this knowledge and experience might help others suffering from similar issues.:)

Life Extensions's rebuttal
 

Here's Life Extension rebuttal to the latest attack on carnitine:

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/...e#/acd795ee/72

You may have to page through the magazine to get the article (page 72)

Yes, I get the magazine in the mail and saw that as well as online. So many flawed studies on good supplements as well as hormones.

Dr. John Hayes, podcast on alpha-lipoic acid and acetyl-l-carnitine in treating peripheral neuropathy:
http://www.beatingneuropathy.com/ala-and-alcar

note to Jesse
 

I see you feel you got neuropathy from taking 3 drugs at the same time. I was using only .5 klonopin for yrs at nite and now am again to get sleep dealing with pain. I was taking naproxen 2x a day. Oh you were on Cipro as well. I was wondering what was not the right combo aside from the fact Cipro can cause neuropathy. I don't see any info on taking the first two drugs together as being a problem. You probably were taking higher doses than I have been as well. Just real curious. Thanks