Alpha Lipoic Acid and Neuropathy

mmglobal · #1 (**permalink**) 05-28-2010, 02:13 AM

I spoke to Katherine234 yesterday. (Her story here: http://www.ispine.org/forum/surgical...europathy.html)

I was so happy to hear that she has made great progress. She's been working since she was a few months postop, but in the early months, it was a constant struggle. Someone suggested a homeopathic treatment for her radiculopathy... Alpha Lipoic Acid. She's been taking it for several weeks and is VERY happy. She percieves great improvement, clearly related to the new treatment. I hope she'll come along and give you her experience with it.

Anyone hear of this? Here is an article about this treatment for peripheral neuropathy:

HowStuffWorks "Alpha Lipoic Acid and Peripheral Neuropathy"

Mark

Maria · #2 (**permalink**) 05-28-2010, 04:48 PM

Mark,
I've not read about ALA for quite some time altho I believe I used this supplement back when I was working out tho before both of my back surgeries!

I'd be very interested to hear how it has been used (IV followed by oral?) for neuropathies as this is something that I had for 5 years post my 2nd back surgery in buttocks and bilat in both extremities and pretty much didn't want more surgery if I thought it'd come back!

While I've gotten good results w/Gabapentin and Methadone I'm open to something that's less mind bending then both of the above so I'd love to hear more from people that may have utilized ALA for treatment of neuropathies.

thanks much for bringing this topic up!

mmglobal · #3 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010, 06:50 PM

Anyone trying this? Dale, have you looked into this?

dshobbies · #4 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010, 08:35 PM

Yes I have, along with several other vitamins as suggested by my PM.

It's been months but so far, no improvement.

Still, I have to be grateful for what I have but every once in a while, like now, I'm wishing for more.

Dale

grantwb1 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-10-2010, 03:11 AM

...ok I am down, where do I get some?

Crystal33 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-10-2010, 06:52 AM

This is another nutritional supplement that may also be beneficial, though it is not cheap to buy. Anyone tried it?

CNS Drugs. 2007;21 Suppl 1:31-8; discussion 45-6.
Acetyl-L-carnitine in neuropathic pain: experimental data.

Chiechio S, Copani A, Gereau RW 4th, Nicoletti F.

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Abstract

Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) has gained clinical interest for its analgesic effect in different forms of neuropathies associated with chronic pain, such as diabetic and HIV-related peripheral neuropathies. The antinociceptive effect of ALC has been confirmed in several experimental models of neuropathic pain, including streptozotocin- and chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, and the sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury model. In these models, prophylactic administration of ALC has proven to be effective in preventing the development of neuropathic pain. In addition, ALC is known to produce a strong antinociceptive effect when given after neuropathic pain has been established. ALC can also improve the function of peripheral nerves by increasing nerve conduction velocity, reducing sensory neuronal loss, and promoting nerve regeneration. Analgesia requires repeated administrations of ALC, suggesting that the drug regulates neuroplasticity across the pain neuraxis. Recent evidence indicates that ALC regulates processes that go beyond its classical role in energy metabolism. These processes involve the activation of muscarinic cholinergic receptors in the forebrain, and an increased expression of type-2 metabotropic glutamate (mGlu2) receptors in dorsal root ganglia neurons. Induction of mGlu2 receptors is mediated by acetylation mechanisms that involve transcription factors of the nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB family.

dshobbies · #7 (**permalink**) 06-10-2010, 07:25 PM

I am taking these plus other supplements as recommended by my pm. They are all included in the supplement Synergy, Women's #5 multi vitamin available at vitacost.com. Sorry but I do not know which is the men's version but a simple comparison on their website should do the trick.

Crystal33 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-11-2010, 08:42 AM

Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2009 Jul-Sep;22(3 Suppl):45-50.
The use of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and rehabilitation in the treatment of back pain: effect on health-related quality of life.

is here........ The use of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), gamma linoleni... [Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2009 Jul-Sep] - PubMed result