What is some experiences that anyone has had with Evening Primrose Oil for neuropathy? I was researching and found this...It seems that everyone that I come across that has experience with neuropathy is constantly seeking help. My husband has been suffering since March after DKA. We are waiting for response from an electromyography to see what the neurologist is going to say...but the waiting is so wearing when he hurts all of the time. So, any experience with this oil?
Bernstein has recommended Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) and ALA for quite some time. He recommends taking a form of R-ALA which contains Biotin and he particularly likes Insulow which is a specific formulation of R-AlA and biotin.
I have a friend with MS who has taken it for years and seems to get favorable results.
Probably be best to check with the doc first, though.
Not sure about primrose oil, but can absolutely vouch for R-ala. I swear by it and am currently taking 800 units per day. I noticed some relief almost immediately. NOT a pain reliever, but seems to be a great help. I've been taking it for 2 years plus and all my doctors are supportive of it. Think I'll check out evening primrose now.
Have you seen any sugar lows from the R-ALA? I read that this could be a side effect? Is this something that your endo or neurologist would approve for care? We see the neuro on July 9th but the endo on July 17th. I am new to all of this and am not sure who handles what and also....my husband is growing weary from the torment. It has been almost debilitating since March and it takes so long to get in to see Dr's and back for follow ups.
According to Bernstein, evening primrose helps to increase the effectiveness of R-ALA. He recommends taking them together, and does so himself.
I started taking ala a few weeks ago and I have had lower bg/hypos, I'm not sure if it is from the ala or from melatonin supplements maybe or a combo, or from something else altogether. I hope he gets some relief soon.
Aside from its other qualities, R-ALA is an insulin mimetic, so it can definitely have a lowering effect. How much of an effect will vary from individual to individual, like everything else about this crazy disease.
I have never been able to directly link ala with my BG. It can mimic insulin, but for me, it seems to be a very subtle affect. I have retinopathy as well as PN and both my retinologist and neurologist were supportive of my taking r-ala. I began with 1200 units per day and have brought that down to 800 as my symptoms have improved. I have run out a couple times and after a couple days of no ala I tend to have more pain and spasms. This clears up within about 24 hours after starting ala again. Don't look for miricles. It does no eliminate the pain and other issues, but it does seem to take the edge off and aid healing. I have gone from not being able to tie my shoes to where I have almost normal control of my hands. The other half of the equation is keeping BG's as normal as possible.
I would advise you to do as I did and research r-ala carefully. There is a lot of good information available to help you make a good decision.
I will ask my endo about it next appointment. I may need to lower insulin a bit.. I'm also on symlin so it could be a combo of all of these.
Also, LunchLadyLiz, I can literally feel your husband's pain. It is debilitating. It is always there 24/7 and then it surges without warning causing you to writhe and brings you to your knees.Unbelievable cramps and spasms in places you never dreamed they could happen. I wanted to die. But I'm glad I didn't. Its a slow process so hang in there. Start the R-ALA and do all you can to maintain normal BG.
Will do ... thanks.
Thanks...I will be looking into this Bernstein. I appreciate any and all help with this.
Thanks so much for your responses. I forwarded them to my husband to let him see that you have been there...know how he feels. I appreciate your insight. His BG has done very well since DKA in March, it is the damage that was done that is the hard part. We are going to try the ALA and primrose oil. Fingers crossed and much prayers too. Thanks again!
I am more than glad to give my support. I would have given anything for some one to tell me there was hope for improvement. I already had complications when dx'd and no one offered any hope that there could be ANY improvement. All I was told was to strive for normal BG and see what might happen. I brought my A1c down from 12.3 to 5.6 in 3 1/2 months, which was too quick and caused my complications to get worse. It took about 6 months to see some real improvements, but things have kept moving in the right direction. At a glacier;s pace as I call it.
There is a study from Johns Hopkins that explains what is really going on with PN. They determined that it can take 2 years for the nerves to truly begin complete healing. I don't have the link any more, but I found it here at Tu or on Science Daily. It;s worth looking up though.
Hang in there, both of you. If I can be of any help let me know. I'm not on here every day, but I'll get r-mail alerts for messages.
Richard K. Bernstein, Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution, 4th. ed. (New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2011)
Readily available on Amazon and elsewhere.
Thanks so much!