★★★★★
NOW brand discontinued the macadamia oil, but PipingRock has excellent oils, including macadamia oil. Macadamia oil has the highest percentage of the antimicrobial, palmitoleic acid, at 18%, which I now believe is antifungal as well.
---------
That dosage for macadamia nut oil was just one measuring tablespoon after meals, up to twice per day.
That way, one 16 oz bottle would last about 32 days since there are 2 tablespoons to a fluid ounce.
However, just a half measuring tablespoon after meals might be enough, though, for the first two months. A half tbsp ended up being my maintenance dose for years, at once per day.
Assuming 13.3 grams per tablespoon of oil, 18% of that is 2.39 grams or almost 2400 mg of palmitoleic acid per measuring tablespoon.
At the time, I was using a flatware tablespoon that holds half of a measuring tablespoon, and I would take two of them after meals for the first two months. I no longer take macadamia oil, but the numbness in fingers and toes has never returned, nor has any fungal toenail.
EC: Thank you, Tom! Cross-posted from this thread: https://answers.earthclinic.com/muscle-and-bone-pain-in-shoulder-and-leg-pains.html
HI U GOOD FOLKS DOIN,,,,,,,, life is interesting these days and old age is at the heart of it all. Today, I got an IV using Alpha Lipoic Acid to help in my leg nerve problems. My doctor recommended one for 4 weeks and see where we are.
We had quite a diverse group in the room today. All had been down the Allopathic Medical route and that was a dead end, so they chose to pay their own way and possibly live to see another year. One 84 year old was consumed with a fungus, another was a mechanic that washed too many greasy auto parts in lead gasoline. One had gotten the mucus from his wife via their grandkids...... he was doing a Hydrogen Peroxide IV and was coming back tomorrow.
My best buddy is doing EDTA Chelation after I had begged him to do this for 5 years. Think his heart scared his mule. These folks use their insurance until they see a dead end and then they start to pay their own way to stay alive.
That is the way it is with most folks on EC. They obey their MD until they begin to see the Grim Reaper out the side of their eye and then they begin to research and find all the helpful folks on EC. Amazin how that works.
========ORH======
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
★★★★★
Since my last post I have learned that taking antibiotics can lower B12 levels and that a B12 insufficiency can be the cause of peripheral neuropathy in up to 7% of cases. I had surgery recently and was on antibiotics for two weeks. This may account for the dramatic improvement I experienced once I started taking a B12 supplement.
As a result of this new information I have returned to my regimen of taking B1- 2X100mg/daily, B6 - 2X100mg/daily, B12 - 2X5000mcg/daily as well as ALA - 4X200mg/daily and Serrapeptase - 10X120,000SU/daily. Although not completely rid of symptoms the frequency and intensity of pain has been reduced by 90%. I anticipate that I will eventually be able to reduce the number of things I am taking but feel certain that the B12 will be the last thing to go as it has been the only thing to give me overnight relief. I wish everyone well on their search for a cure.
B-12 Injections
★★★★★
I fell over 2 1/2 years ago and broke my back herniated some discs, and twisted my leg in the fall. I reached out to Earth Clinic immediately for help and too many to name came to my aid with wonderful advice.
Thank you! Neuropathy pain began to develop my back, bottom, hip, leg, and foot. It was soon diagnosed as RSD commonly called Suicide Disease. I have researched for almost 3 years for a way to alleviate this unbearable pain and other symptoms associated with it. I couldn't complete any tasks and am using a cane.
Over 6 weeks ago, I found a blog about transdermal neuralgia and it sounded similar to my condition but located in the face.
A lady said that she began B12 injections 2 times a week and went into remission after 8 months. I called my doctor right away and he approved the treatment but told me not to try anything new while I am getting the injections. At first, I thought we chose the wrong treatment because I was exhausted and couldn't stay awake. After about 1 month that went away, and now my energy is out of the world and I have stamina. I have accomplished so many tasks in the last few weeks.
But the best part is my mood. I am laughing all of the time. My husband is so happy. He has his wife back.
I did not realize that I was depressed, but I guess I was. Even the cashier at the local grocery store noticed the changes. I am still in excruciating pain with storms and barometric pressure changes. But the overall pain has reduced. Hopefully, with continued use that will improve as well as the other symptoms have.
Thank you for letting me share. I pray someone reads this and will receive benefit as well. God bless.
Benfotiamine, ALA and RLA
★★★★★
BTW, I once used r-lipoic acid to cure my loss of taste (taste only, not smell) from taking an anti-fungal rx (never again). EENT specialist gave me prednisone which helped nothing but gave me road rage and fluid retention. Google led me to ALA and RLA studies. Cured in days. EENT doctor refused to even look at the published research articles. It was a pleasure to tell him "Your services are no longer required."
Dietary Changes
★★★★★
Changed my diet because of pain in feet, with a constant battle against Shingles. Taking antivirals too much. No sugar, no wheat products (and of course no gluten) and no milk. Buttermilk and cream, butter, homemade ghee are fine. Results: In one month my husband and I lost our huge bellies. Still some pain in feet, but way less. Increase in energy, less body pain, Shingles seem to be gone. We still have buttermilk and 0 sugar ice cream, buckwheat and other non-wheat related foods.
The Wheatbelly cookbook is very helpful. I can't wait to see what happens next in our changes. My husband's allergies and Parkinson are improving, too.
Milk is high in lactose (just plain sugar). No itchy skin, either.
★★★★★
The following two studies show that Melatonin can be helpful in the fight against Peripheral Neuropathy (PN). I am adding this post because Melatonin is not currently on the EC list for PN supplements, but it clearly belongs there.
In this first study / Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) it is shown that melatonin provides benefits against PN even at the low dose of 6 mg / day :
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00228-021-03170-5
Here is a relevant quote from the RCT :
' At the study endpoint, treatment with melatonin resulted in a considerably higher reduction in the mean NRS pain score in comparison with placebo (4.2 ± 1.83 vs. 2.9 ± 1.56; P-value < 0.001). In terms of treatment responders, a greater proportion of melatonin-treated patients satisfied the responder criterion than placebo-treated patients (63.5% vs. 43.1%). Melatonin also reduced pain-related sleep interference scores more than did placebo (3.38 ± 1.49 vs. 2.25 ± 1.26; P-value < 0.001). Further, at the endpoint, more improvement was also seen in terms of PGIC, CGIC, and Health-related QOL in patients treated with melatonin than placebo. Melatonin was also well tolerated. '
In this next study, melatonin is shown to actually repair peripheral nerves :
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0891584922001691?via=ihub
Here is a relevant quote from the study :
' Collectively, these findings indicate that melatonin upregulates Parkin-mediated mitophagy and promotes peripheral nerve repair. The results provide a basis for the development of effective drugs for PNI treatment. '
Admittedly, a 6 mg/day dose is rather modest considering they are trying to treat PN in the first study. Considering the results obtained in the study, future studies should use higher dosing to answer the question of whether more melatonin will have an even greater and faster effect, as shown in other studies not involving PN. In any case, working toward actual repair of peripheral nerves as opposed to trying to kill the pain, burning, tingling and numbness seems much more important IMO.
Art
I am now up to 960,000SU(8 capsules)per day of Serrapeptase after reading that 1,000,000 SU per day is not uncommon. I am also taking ALA 800mg (8 capsules) per day and continue to see improvement with the pain in my foot steadily decreasing in intensity and frequency. Take note that Serrapeptase needs to be taken away from food, either 1/2 hr. before eating or 2hr. after eating. Search Serrapeptase on Youtube for more information. Good luck to all.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
★★★★★
I also take N-Acetyl-L-Carnite 1500mg/day and Calcium/Magnesium 2X 133/167mg/day.
This protocol has eliminated 90% of the pain and I believe it is the ALA that is helping the most. Best wishes and good luck to all in their search for relief.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
It was so interesting to read your information regarding ALA and the connection to depletion of Vitamin B.
About 4 months ago, I quite literally woke up with symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy - numbness, tingling, weakness in feet, lower legs, hands, and forearms. It was particularly alarming to me as my mother had PN so severe that she needed a walker to ambulate.
After reading the info on Earth Clinic (my first go to! ) and some other sites, I did what I always do - which is use the "shotgun approach". I started on B complex, benfotiamine, niacinamide, sunflower lecithin, passion flower, evening primrose oil, and St John's wort. I also increased my B6, B12, and ....ALA. I have experienced such a lessening of symptoms - many days are symptom free, that I am reluctant to change the regimen. However, I will surely research a bit more on the ALA. I do think the benfotiamine has been really beneficial. I initially took a B1, but after more research, was convinced that benfotiamine is a better choice. Thanks for posting!
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
The following may be of interest to you :
https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/five-supplements-for-peripheral-neuropathy.html
As a substitute for alpha lipoic acid, you might consider benfotiamine and or berberine. All have studies to support their use for PN.
Art
Melatonin
In the study, they used 6 mg of oral melatonin, they didn't apply it topically. Taken orally the melatonin goes systemic fairly quickly and is able to move into tissues throughout the body quickly. Topical application of melatonin moves at a slower pace as it traverses through the dermal layers and then into the system. Generally melatonin is taken at night before bedtime. The time can vary depending on how you react to melatonin. If it seems to cause next day sleepiness, some people have opted to take it earlier in the evening to try and reduce this effect.
Topical melatonin delivery is not required based on the study, but I imagine you can try that, but definitely not in the morning or early afternoon. I believe Zeptil comes in two different concentrations of melatonin and one is significantly at a higher concentration than the other so you will have to take that into consideration if you use it. Oral melatonin is less expensive.
On a related note, you may also be interested in this if melatonin still makes you feel to sleepy during the day or in addition to melatonin for better effect :
Sunil T. Pai MD, in Integrative Medicine (Fourth Edition), 2018
Benfotiamine: Vitamin B1
Benfotiamine, also known as S-benzoylthiamine-O-monophosphate, is a lipid-soluble derivative of vitamin B1 (thiamine) and is absorbed up to 3.6 times more than water-soluble forms. Vitamin B1 is associated with a 120-fold greater increase in the levels of metabolically active thiamine diphosphate. Its lipid solubility allows it to penetrate the nerves more readily. It has been found to provide a higher bioavailability of thiamine than its water-soluble counterparts.292-294 Benfotiamine reduces advanced glycation end-products (AGE) by 40%, which has been shown to prevent macro- and microvascular endothelial dysfunction in individuals with type 2 diabetes.295-300
Studies have shown that benfotiamine improves neuropathy scores significantly, 301, 302 increases nerve conduction velocity, 303-305 and reduces HbA1c and pain.306 On the Russian market, it is one of the most studied drugs for neuropathic pain.306 In addition, it lowers inflammation and may be useful for ameliorating the analgesic effect of mu-opioid agonists on neuropathic pain.307-309 In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind pilot study and phase III clinical study, investigators demonstrated a pronounced effect on the decrease in pain310, 311 in conjunction with the previously described benefits. Benfotiamine may also be beneficial in preventing diabetic nephropathy312 and retinopathy.313 Therapeutic benefits can be seen as early as 3 weeks, with the most significant improvements occurring in patients taking the highest-dose of benfotiamine, that is, 600 mg/day at 6 weeks.310, 311, 314
Dosage
The recommended dose of benfotiamine is 150–300 mg twice daily specifically for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Art
Physical Therapy Exercise
★★★★★
Magnesium
★★★★★
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
★★★★★
★★★★★
I have also discovered, that the main reason that I am so magnesium deficient is because my body is too acidic. Most people (myself included) consume a Western diet that consists of a of processed foods, meat, dairy, etc. , all of which are acidic. In the body's attempt to neutralize the acidity of the blood, it takes copius amounts of calcium, magnesium and potassium from different places in the body (bones, etc) and uses them to buffer the blood (make it more alkaline). If your problems persist, you may want to try an alkaline diet. You can also drink water with 1/2 tsp of baking soda dissolved in it (on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes prior to eating), as this greatly helps to alkalinize your body. Hope some of these suggestions help. I know how miserable it can be to experience these symptoms!
Art
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Magnesium
★★★★★
Evening Primrose Oil
I too suffer from nerve issues in my feet. Hurts like hell at night, the rest of the time it is numb and feels like electric flowing around my feet. Calcium and magnesium helped me. The pain and numbness is there but manageable. Reflexology every other week really helps to as well as a good deep tissue massage once a month or so.
Take care,
Bob R
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
★★★★☆
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Dietary Changes
It may, if your peripheral neuropathy (PN) is caused by nerve damage related to high glucose levels. This is typically seen in diabetics who have chronically high blood glucose levels that can damage the nerves among other things.
If your PN is caused by something else such as chemotherapy as a basic example, then stopping sugar may not resolve the problem.
Art
Macadamia Nut Oil
★★★★★
Probably 10 years ago, what got rid of numbness and tingling (I assume peripheral neuropathy, PN) in my toes was taking unrefined or virgin macadamia oil.
It took about 2 months and one 16 oz bottle at 1 or 2 measuring tablespoons per day after a meal. Interestingly, my fungal great toenail dropped off or lifted off of the nail bed at the same time the numbness and tingling stopped in my toes. Then the toenail grew in healthy over the next year.
It was the NOW brand 16 oz unrefined macadamia oil, but NOW discontinued the product at the time.
So I now take PipingRock's 16 oz virgin macadamia oil or the Carlyle 16 oz virgin 3 bottle pack through Amazon.
However, the fungal toenail came back recently, so I have restarted taking the macadamia oil internally with good results. I take a flatware tablespoon of the oil, which is about a half measuring tablespoon, every 6 hours or 4 times per day. So that is about 2 measuring tablespoons per day, which is 1 oz per day. So I take it (plus or minus 2 hours) at 6 AM, 12 PM, 6 PM and 12 AM.
Macadamia oil is the highest food source for palmitoleic acid, at about 18%. Palmitoleic acid is antimicrobial, so that is what I think extinguished my fungal toenail and PN.
The macadamia oil internally also works wonders for some jaw-related pain that I have.
Next I may order a gallon of virgin macadamia oil from TheSulu.com in Chicago. That would be 16 pints which, if ordering a gallon, would save about 2/3 of the cost if ordering 16 separate pints.
Or The Sulu on Etsy:
Peripheral Neuropathy Supplements
★★★★★
You listed 5 vitamins that are good for peripheral neuropathy. Are there any combo pills out there so that I would not have to take so many pills at once?
★★★★★
You can buy both products on Amazon, but I found the pure liquid is cheaper at " Pet Meds". The gel is 70% DMSO and 30% aloe. From all I've read, and that's quite a lot, it is more effective at the 70 / 30 ratio when applied toppically.
If you want to learn more about DMSO, there is a good but short book available online from "HOOPLA". I don't remember the authors name, but the book is, "What Doctors Need to Know about DMSO."
At present time, I am also using it topically to treat my 'shingles', and it is working unbelievably well. I simply apply the gel several times a day. It has stopped the spread and kept the rash to limited space, as well as reducing pain.
★★★★☆
Cure? No :-(
But I am working on it :-)
Gabapentin 300 mg 1x/day. If I forget to take it before going to bed, while usually not excessive, the symptoms keep waking me up.
While during the day I often don't notice the symptoms, around 5 pm they start getting bothersome. At that time I rub some Chinese liniment called Zheng Gu Shui (avalable on ebay) on the ball and sole of my feet. It increases blood flow and the result its less sensitivity. It contains camphora among other ingredients, so wash your hands afterwords or your eyes may water :-)
Before going to bed, I use another Chinese liniment, called Shaolin I-Ching Ling. I used to get bruised while practicing Tae Kwon Do karate and had some remnant in a bottle. Sure enough, it calmed my nerves. Available on the Internet, just search on I-Ching Ling. I now make my own. Takes about 3 months but it is worth it. When my shoulder, knee, finger etc ache or I pulled a tendon or my muscles ache, a small application usually helps within minutes.
Somewhat less effective, but still useful for neuropathy pains is a gel called Diclac. I bought them in Hungary but seen it on Internet. That one was made in Germany.
All of the above are effective shortly after application.
Since I am using several remedies simultaneously, I can not prove the effectiveness of the following 2 remedies. But they seem to slow the progress of neuropathy.
Twice a day I take 150 mg Benfotiamine. Read https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10219465. Appearently it has been used in Europe for a long time.
Twice a day I take 1300 mg Borage (for LA, GLA OA) + 300 mg timed release Alha Lipoic Acid + 500 mg Vitamin C
Read https://www.diabetesdaily.com/forum/neuropathy/29911-harvard-article-neuropathy-gla/ and do search on GLA
I know it may be boring BUT it is worth reading:
http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/28/1/89.full
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00641953?term=neuropathy&rank=105
Ok the above is what I practice right now in December of 2017
So what else is there?
TENS unit helps. I used to attach it to my feet while working at the computer. Check the Internet. Not too expensive. I had it handy since I originally used it for my lower back pain.Successfully I might add.
I have a toilet brush :-) With it I keep hitting the sole of my feet for a couple of minutes at night to increase blood flow. Yes it helps.
Capsaicin in any form (liquid or cream) works but the skin gets sensitized after a while so I dropped it.
Physical theraphy felt good but helped none. Acupuncture did not do much good either. But the Chinese massage I received after the treatment was worth going for :-)
Future?
I am looking into MSM, stem cells but do not hold out much hope for either right now. And please, believe in valid research not wishful thinking cloaked in scientific sounding mambo-jumbo!
Well, have a Merry Christmas and no pain!
Multiple Supplements
★★★★★
Next; after considering several options I settled on the following protocol: B12 5,000 mcg/day, Acetyl-L-Carnitine 750mg/day, R+Alpha Lipoic Acid 100 mg/day, Calcium Magnesium D3 333/167 mg/day 2:1 Ratio, Enhanced Absorption. This combination worked fast and very well for me, eliminating 90% of my pain.
Fortunately, I am one with a B12 deficiency brought about by a series of diets including Paleo, Vegan, Starch-based and finally Low Carb, Moderate Protein. I am now back on track thanks to members like Al and Art who have shared their experiences here. I hope this information is helpful to those who are new to the site and trying to find their way. There are several causes for Peripheral Neuropathy and not everyone is B12 deficient but it should be worthwhile to try to determine if you are by trying this simple plan. Hopefully you are one of the lucky ones.
All the best,
Gord
I have been taking R+ALA (600mg/day) and it's working.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
★★★★★
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Peripheral Neuropathy Supplements
Unfortunately, Benfotiamine, Melatonin and ALA do not come with the B vitamins in them except you can find melatonin with B6 in it, but it is the wrong form of B6. You need the form of B6 called P5P.
You can find a vitamin B multi that will have B1, B6 and B12, but these do not have the more desirable form of B1 which is called Benfotiamine, they generally contain vitamin B1 in the hydrochloride form.
Art
Medications
Borax
