Peripheral Neuropathy - Bi Lateral

[hughesnewbie7]

Hey All,

Just wondering if peripheral neuropathy is common in PWP- burning on the soles of both feet, excessive sweating (smelly), weakness of the leg too.

Comments welcome.

P.

[silvestrov]

Here is a study for you: "Peripheral neuropathy in Parkinson's disease."

CONCLUSION:

The frequency of polyneuropathy was significantly higher in PD patients than in controls....

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/264...

[silvestrov]

There are several supplements you can take for PN. First of all acetyl l carnitine is good:

Acetyl-L-Carnitine in the Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

journals.plos.org/plosone/a...

Also, alpha lipoic acid is better:

Alpha Lipoic Acid for Symptomatic Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

hindawi.com/journals/ije/20...

And the combination of alpha lipoic acid and acetyl l carnitine is best:

Combined R-alpha-lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine exerts efficient preventative effects in a cellular model of Parkinson's disease.

"Most notably, we found that when combined, LA and ALC worked at 100-1000-fold lower concentrations than they did individually."

So ALA and ALC are neuroprotective in PD models plus are good for PN and work and very low concentrations when taken together.

B12 deficiency is also a possible cause of PN:

livestrong.com/article/2915...

B12 is a common Parkinson's disease therapy and researchers are trying to figure out the relationship:

Relationship of Vitamin B12 Status and Parkinson's Disease

michaeljfox.org/foundation/...

If you take B12 take it in the form of methylcobalamin - a sub-lingual form (it is better absorbed).

[hughesnewbie7 in reply to silvestrov]

Thank you so much for all of this. I'm surprised more people haven't replied to say that they experience PN also though.

These are all very helpful, thanks.

[silvestrov in reply to hughesnewbie7]

It is my pleasure. I do not have PN but recognize the value of the above supplements and take both of them. I will never forget the first day I took a sublingual dose of methylcobalamin. I put a 5 mg dose under my tongue and within 15 seconds I started to feel energized and for 4 days (each day taking 5 mg) I was energized. My energy levels stabilized afterwards at a higher level (than prior to taking the supplement). I must have been very deficient in B12. My sister and a friend had the similar effect happen after taking methylcobalamin.

This vitamin is important for PWP because a good source of B12. B12 is naturally found in animal products, including fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and milk products. Considering how 'parkies' are often sensitive to protein and reduce their consumption of protein, they unknowingly reduce their consumption of B12. 2 - 2 1/2 mg/day of methylcobalamin is considered a 'maintenance' dose of the vitamin and the highest daily doses of the vitamin were recorded in ALS and Bell's palsy patients. Through intravenous route, ALS patients received 50 mg/day and Bell's palsy patients 60 mg/day - with no side effects. 60 mg/day translates into 5,000,000 % of your daily allowance! Let's just say it is a safe vitamin to take.

The combination of acetyl l carnitine and alpha lipoic acid should be taken on an empty stomach in divided doses, say between breakfast and lunch and lunch and dinner. It should not be taken in the evening because the combo can cause anxiety. When first taking it you will feel it in the stomach then head. Stomach irritation is a possible side effect and if it is uncomfortable take the combo with a protein free meal - breakfast and lunch. Since PWP can be sensitive to protein it is common for them to eat no protein for breakfast and lunch then eat protein at dinner. This combo both pass the blood brain barrier and in addition to being good for PN and PD, they have been shown to slow early to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Parkinson's patients with dementia have a 50 % chance of having the additional diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease so this is an important combination of antioxidants.

Recently I have been investigating the antioxidant astaxanthin, salmon and krill oil, and astaxanthin is 75 times stronger than alpha lipioic acid. But when alpha lipoic acid is combined with acetyl l carnitine it works at '100 to 1,000 times lower concentrations'. In so many words this means this combo is the strongest or one of the 2 strongest antioxidants on the planet. When tested clinically, alpha lipoic acid is used at 600 mg and there are supplements with 300 mg ALA and 500 mg of acetyl l carnitine.

If you take alpha lipoic acid you should take a thiamine supplement because ALA in high doses can deplete thiamine. Sometimes doctors prescribe the drug gabapentin (Neurontin) for PD and Neurontin depletes acetyl l carnitine and can cause memory loss and depression.

I had a friend on Neurontin and this is how I discovered the above combination.

[NumbBunny in reply to silvestrov]

silvestrov

Thank you for your information, i'm sure it will prove invaluable as I was on Neurontin and had what I call an effect not a side-effect after approximately 12 months. Elsewhere on this site someone suggested vitamins B1,B12 and D, plus Alpha Lipoic 300 and my energy levels have improved immensely although I have a long way to go yet. You suggest acetyl l carnitine also - anything is worth a shot. Thanks again

[HeartSong]

The only time that I may have peripheral neuropathy is when my medication isn't taking effect very well (always due to my having eaten too much, too close to medication time, or animal protein). My shins and the tops of my feet will start burning. I've never mentioned it to my doctor.