Acetyl L-carnitine for the treatment of peripheral neuropathies
 

Here is a link to an interesting article, I guess I may start using it again but for a longer period this time....


http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4751242.html

thanks for the reminder, Mark.
 

It has been about a decade now, that HIV patients have used Acetyl-Carnitine
for their neuropathies caused by the drugs they take to suppress the virus.

Also, carnitine is helpful to prevent, or help repair chemotherapy induced neuropathies.

It is still rather expensive however. That is its biggest drawback. It is available on RX as Carnitor, so some insurances may pay for a portion of the cost leaving you with a copay. Carnitine fumarate is the same OTC version as the RX and made by the same company. It is available at www.epic4health.com

I only use carnitine when I am working out heavily. It really helps with muscle pain and helps me avoid that discomfort.

Hi Mrsd
 

Do you know how long it would take to work if it was going to do anything? The link I posted above states that it was taken for 30-60 days but im sure I read elsewhere that it has to be taken for longer... Also any idea what the best dose would be, again I have read elsewhere that the dose ranges between 1000mg and 3000 mg a day, im not sure what the optimal dose would be...

http://www.vitacost.com/NSIAcetylLCa...nitineArginate

Here is a link for the HCL + Arginate version, which is claimed to target the nervous system and promote nerve growth. However, I wasn't aware that there were different forms of this... Also the price isn't too bad if you just decide to go with the HCL version which can be found here for a reasonable price:

http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Acetyl-L...g-300-Capsules

I think 3000 would be the optimal dosage. No big side effects were reported at that dose.

For those wishing to try acetyl l carnitine the link below is for a very reasonably priced product,if you live in the uk though I would think carefully about purchasing from them if the amount totals £18 or more as the charges added by the courier company as well as the added VAT does not make it nearly as cheap as it would be otherwise...



http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Acetyl-L...g-300-Capsules

How Strange!!!!
 

Just as I posted the above comment aloneouthere posted the same link a few minutes before!!!!! What a strange coincidence lol :)

A little bit lazy to post links but.. if you search up acetyl-l-carnitine or ALC or ALCAR and regeneration, you'll find a wealth of studies that showed that ALC actually reverses nerve damage over a year. And this was for all sorts of neuropathies, diabetic, HIV, cancer, trauma. So I think ALC can work for anyone with PN. So even though it may be quite expensive, around 50 dollars a month, I think it's well worth it. I think I remember reading that it's best for people with small fiber neuropathy (painful neuropathies). I guess I can post a few upon request...

May I add
 

a potentially useful reference to the thread. This is a recent (2005) study of the beneficial affects of Acetyl-L-carnitine for diabetic neuropathy and nerve regeneration - may be worth a look - blinded placebo controlled study - 52 weeks, 1000+ patients. Most dramatic improvement seen in pain for classical diabetic PN.


Acetyl-L-Carnitine Improves Pain, Nerve Regeneration, and Vibratory
Perception in Patients With Chronic Diabetic Neuropathy

http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi...t/full/28/1/89

Alkymst

I think i am going to give it a try. I went to a nutrition shop today and bought something called "L-carnitine", without acetyl, so i am wondering if it is the same thing. Also, theres a GNC in my city and right after i visited the other shop, i realized they sell Acetyl L-cartinine, should i buy this one better??, do you know this GNC (General Nutrition Center) products?? Are they good???
I also bought Magnesium, and Fish Oil.

So, as off tomorrow i will be taking:

Imuran
Novotiral (pill for the thyroid)
Methyl b12
Lyrica
Fish Oil
L-carnitine
Magnesium

So i am also wondering, isn't that too much????? Won't that affect my liver or kidneys???? Is it safe???

Monica.. I think the L-carnitine will not give you the same benefits as the acetyl-l-carnitine... GNC products are good but they are also quite expensive. You might be better off buying it from the internet if you can.