How Benfortiamine has helped me
 

About a month ago I was REALLY having a flare up and came to my friends here on the site and it was suggested that I try Benfortiamine if I had not already tried it. I hadn't heard of that one before (I take lots of different supplements and B complex injections each week) and I thought I'd give it a try. I had to order it on line, but started it right away 250 mgs twice a day on an empty stomach. It is just over three weeks now and I can't believe the difference! I can't say so much that the "pain" is better - but for those of you that are pre-diabetic like I am - the whole thought is it helps balance your glucose. So for me, so far, I feel more energetic! And I'll take that any day!! My usual life of over 10 years now with small fiber pn - is to do what I can in the am and rest most of the afternoon and then make dinner - back to resting! But I have had days where I am not resting at all till after dinner and a few days ago I went till like 8pm - decorating the house for Christmas!! Which hasn't been fun for years. Not sure what is happening but I like it. Yesterday I added Chromium which is suppose to help with glucose balance and I already take Alpha Lapoic Acid. I am really watching my diet and eating small meals throughout the day - and maybe I am on to something!! Thanks everyone for the direction AGAIN. It is here where I found Lyrica many years ago which changed everything for me -- it is here where I learned about the need for B's no matter what your test results show -- (thanks Ruth) and it is here I get all the love, support and advice I need. THANKS:grouphug:

that is AWESOME!!

I had the same great results with benfotiamine. Except it kinda wore off :( The first month was awesome, the burning was completely gone. However as time went on the burning came back but it is sill soooooo much better with it even though its come back. I love benfotiamine.

There was something I read about niacin that I decided not to take it, and I cant remember what...and I know the dr told my mom to stop taking it too. wish I could remember why...

I am considering starting this for my severe dysautonomia. However, I am concerned about reading the harmful effects of excess B vitamins...especially B6, but also negative consequences of too much B1.

Are you (and others) getting tested before starting these? How else would you know current levels and whether toxic levels might be an issue?

Benfotiamine is great... I think it works well for people who have some enzyme errors in the metabolism of alcohols and aldehydes. Also it is used for carbohydrate metabolism.

It stays around in the body longer than plain thiamine does.

Here is a monograph: for regular thiamine.
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/thiamin/

I had B12 tested though I dont know why cuz I take it anyway even though I am high.

Not tested any other B but from what I have read, there are no known sida affects from benfotiamine, though everyone is different.

I may even be deveoping an allergy or something to B12 and have stopped taking it for awhile but who knows what my skin rash is from...I just cant figure it out.

Where do you get yours? I wrote down name and asked pharmacist at Walgreens. He said they don't have it and that he never heard of it.

I use Life Extension brand Benfotiamine. My doctor finds the brands he likes after researching each one. Pure Encapsulations, Designs for Health and others. I get the Eye health supplement from LEF also.

You can buy benfotiamine at iherb.com or Amazon.com.

Mostly online sources only. It used to be extremely expensive and hard to get. We had a fellow many years ago on the other board location who imported it from Germany, which was the only source back then. (about 10 yrs ago)

I use Doctor's Best brand. It is now affordable for most people.

Mrs. D,
 

I also order my Benfotiamine from Iherb.com as well. Also, Use Doctor's Best brand. I have been taking two 150 mg's in the a.m. and about 4:00 p.m. take two 150mg's again. This is a total of 600 mg's a day. (I had been taking for about 9 months.)

I do believe this has given me more energy; but have been a little more jittery lately and now wondering if this dose is too high. I have been taking this, along with one R-Lopic acid per day and one to two Methylcobalamin B12 a day (both on empty stomach)

Two months ago had surgery and was in hospital for two weeks and was not taking any of these vitamins/ supplements. Also, forgot about them for a few weeks after getting home from hospital. It has been a little over a month since starting to take these vitamin/supplements again. I know I previously had a problem with taking two R-Lipoic Acid because seemed to be feeling more jittery and lowered to one a day. Taking one of the R-Lipoic seemed to be okay; but have been wondering if the Benfotiame dose is too much.

I remember you also had the same problem with R-Lopic Acid and were taking one a day as well. Are you taking a lesser amount of the Benfotiamine than I am or about the same?

Thanks so much for all the info you provide for NT.

Gerry

I guess I am lucky cuz my local health food/vitamin store sells Dr's Best. I like to purchase local and avoid internet if I can.