diet and supplements
JD
Have any of you shown improvement in your neuropathy by following a
certain diet or taking certain supplements?
Imran Khan
B-12 supplemt taken under the tounge is helpful.
flossie
I am sorry this is such a long post but this is a subject that is
very important to me and I have spent a lot of time researching it.
Although I still have CIDP I feel much stronger since I have been
taking nutritional supplements. My neurologist has always said that
time and rest were the most important requirements for my recovery
from CIDP; but he is not medically opposed to it if I wanted to
"waste" my money on supplements.
Here is my current list of supplements:
1. Multivitamin in capsule. Pressed once a day multi vitamins like
Centrum use heat in their processing which can destroy most of the
vitamin B potency. Also the compacting can make it harder for the body
to break it down and chunks can be excreted undigested.
2. Calcium with vitamin D3.
3. B complex just twice a week as insurance that I am covering all
the bases.
4. Vitamin B 12 in the form of Methyl Cobalamin which comes in a
tablet that dissolves under the tongue to be absorbed directly into
the blood stream. B12 is crucial to healthy nerves and the methyl
form is the one most easily used by the body. Also, these tablets
taste good so it's no trouble to take one a day.
5. Fish Oil fatty acids (only omega 3) gelatin capsules twice a day.
The Omega 3s are specific anti inflammatories. Studies have also
shown the Omegs 3s are helpful in treating depression.
6. A commercial anti oxidant pill that contains cucurmin (yes,
curry), green tea, grape skin and grape seed plus the usual vitamins
A, C, and E as well as zinc and selenium. All of these nutrients have
been shown to help nerve growth in MS patients.
7. Alpha Lipoic Acid (100 mg) . ALA is a "recharger" for Vitamins C
and E. If you take ALA then the E and C can do their specific tasks
without having to do the ALA work as well. In Europe diabetic nerve
pain is treated with 600 mg of ALA a day.
8. Grape Seed Extract (100 mg). OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins)
have been shown to be even more powerful antioxidants than vitamin C.
9. Coenzyme Q10 (100 mg). CQ10 is important for cell energy and
regeneration. It also helps with my bleeding gums.
10. MSM (sulphur) with Glucosamine (500 mg each). The MSM is for
energy and pain, and the glucosamine is for joint health.
======================================================
Do your research
CIDP affects each patient differently. If you have a slow onset CIDP
it is possible that your body is very depleted in the building blocks
necessary to repair your myelin. I think some unorthodox
experimentation with supplements might be necessary - to augment, not
substitute the traditional approaches.
Always check with your neurologist before you play with herbal
remedies. Supplements - especially herbs - are not benign. Do your
research for your own particular symptoms, avoid over dosing, avoid
toxic prescription drug interactions and purchase only from a quality
supplier. You are responsible for taking care of your health.
Miracles don't happen in the first week of course - but I think you'll
notice a difference within the first few weeks. (In addition, think
"happy thoughts" about learning meditation type breathing exercises to
get you through the tough moments.) I am a huge convert to using
antioxidants to combat oxidative stress. That's a lot more than just
vitamin C. There's a whole integrated system that repairs tissue. I am
constantly tweaking my own supplement package to deal with my specific
nerve damage.
For instance, I found a tremendous difference in pain level and sleep
patterns when I added grape seed extract
to the more publicized antioxidants. On the other hand, GSE did not do
a thing for an email friend with CIDP. This is a highly individualized
process. ( Another example is my friend with arthritis who noticed
immediate symptom relief when she started taking MSM and ALA. )
Take your clues from your own body and symptoms. These will change
over time so be prepared to tweak your supplements. You cannot direct
certain molecules do do certain tasks of course - but you can supply
the necessary materials for your body to work with.
Utilize a "licensed natural pharmacist" if you find one you like. He
has the training to start your program (I don't believe in reinventing
the wheel). Later as you do more reading you will feel confident to
adjust and experiment on your own. Always remember that no single
supplement is a magic bullet for anyone. (Do not go to a health food
store. Ordinary pharmacists are not usually specially trained to help
you either.)
If you read the literature that is available on the various
prescriptions then you can avoid any possible "toxic" combinations
with the vitamins. The worst you will do is flush very expensive pee
down the toilet.
If you are already eating a sensible healthy diet then I doubt you
need to alter it drastically for your CIDP. You do need lots of
protein. Do try to avoid the "whites" - sugar, salt , fat.
Supplements are not substitutes for food; they are meant to provide
the body with extra nutrients to address specific needs.
I do realize that it is a leap of faith to think that nutrients might
be important like prescription drugs - but even medical schools are
beginning to incorporate this idea.
Flossie
JD
Thank you so much for this info. I am going to give some of these a
try. I currently take a daily multi, fish oil and i am also on
cellcept. I just lowered my dosage to 500mg a day. I have been as high
as 1000 per day in the past. My goal is to get off of it completely
and be on an all natual regimant. is there anything else that has
helped you in the past?
> > certain diet or taking certain supplements?- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
flossie
I have sometimes found great pain relief by rubbing emu oil on my
feet.
Keep in mind that no natural product will stop the myelin attacks
caused by ongoing CIDP. You need prescription drugs to halt the
disease process. A healthy diet and appropriate supplements only
rebuild the damaged nerves.
Flossie
blskat1
Since dx with Sjogrens and other immune issues the body seems to go
into a decline. Since TKR in July 2007 the symptoms of CIDP started.
The MD has ruled out Sjogren's Neuropathy.
Thanks
CIDP
on antiinflammatory after TKO.
Please read www.cidpusa.org
If you want to get back to normal read the E-Book the flame within
from cidpusa.org
Ron
Rachad Amiri
blskat1 <bls...@msn.com> wrote:
Is there any connection to Sjogren's Syndrome and CIDP?
Since dx with Sjogrens and other immune issues the body seems to go
into a decline. Since TKR in July 2007 the symptoms of CIDP started.
The MD has ruled out Sjogren's Neuropathy.
Thanks
On Oct 6, 4:03 pm, "Imran Khan" wrote:
> B-12 supplemt taken under the tounge is helpful.
> Diet mentioned inwww.cidpusa.org helps.
Be smarter than spam. See how smart SpamGuard is at giving junk email the boot with the All-new Yahoo! Mail
Imran Khan
CIDP & Sjogren neuropathy are one and the same.
If has ruled out sjogrens, then what is the cause?
Ron
--
I.K