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Permalink Reply by Sara on July 9, 2011 at 11:44am

I do agree that Dr. Oz is only for entertainment purposes but I do appreciate his forum and the questions that he asks on his XM radio show. I don't watch his TV show. As with anything you have to do your own research, as well as with your own personal doctors. Anyhow, the gentleman noted that some people have problems with rashes or itching in general and I think that is what I started to experience after about 2 weeks. It seemed that I always thought something was crawling on me, even though nothing was there. I do think that I will try spacing it out though. I appreciated the difference it made in my bloodsugars and will put up with the itching if I can just get over the side effect hump.

In terms of how you take it...I've talked to some who say its works better on an empty stomach and others who take it on a full stomach and still see good results. I am bad about remembering to take things an hour or two before I eat. How do you take it?

I got mine from Whole Foods and so far they work pretty well. I usually get things like that from Swanson but they had too many different brands without enough info about the differences. Where do you get yours from?

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Permalink Reply by BadMoonT2 on July 8, 2011 at 5:21pm

I take R-ALA and Benfotiamine for my neuropathy and I believe they help. R-ALA is a form of ALA that is supposed to be more effective, it's also more expensive. Here's an article about neuropathy that explains what is going on and why healing can take several years.

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Permalink Reply by Peetie on July 8, 2011 at 5:55pm

That's a good article BadmoonT2. It's encouraging to read that the tingling may mean healing.

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Permalink Reply by Sara on July 9, 2011 at 11:45am

Thanks for the article!

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Permalink Reply by heather mallett on October 6, 2011 at 8:57pm

i was doing some research on : http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy/detail_peri...
and the site mentioned lack of Vitamin E adn some of the B vitamins cause neuropathy so i'm guessing taking them mighthelp reverse?? also during my surfing i learned fish oils seem to help

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Permalink Reply by karabea on July 7, 2011 at 9:18am

I have been diabetic since the age of 11 and was diagnosed in 1989. I had my first heart attack in Aug 2008...only symptoms that I had prior was increased fatigue, a little short of breath and nauseated on quite a few occasions. PLEASE have this checked out by a cardiologist. 20 hours after my heart attack I had a perfectaly normal EKG...the ER doc (bless his heart), ran some blood work and it was only then that they discovered that I had a minor heart attack. Two and a half years later (this March) I had 5 vessal bypass surgery (at the age of 33) after my second heart attack. I am not saying this to scare you, just for your peace of mind, get it checked out TRUST your instincts...I had a nagging feeling that something was wrong both times, but could never put my finger on it. That is one of the signs of heart problems, increased anxiety.

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Permalink Reply by Sara on July 7, 2011 at 9:46am

Wow! This is what I have been worrying about. I keep seeing all of these commercials on TV about women and heart disease and how it doesn't look the same for us as it does in men. I have great confidence in my cardiologists but it is always possible to miss something. They aren't God. Did you ever have an echocardiogram (sonogram) of your heart? I have had two with nothing of significance.

The pains that I have been having are very brief like a pulse and I will feel a few of these "pulses" through out the day and sometimes not at all. I am never short of breath unless I am working out or otherwise exerting myself. I am not trying to conceive right now due to some other things going on but I do want to start again this fall and this has me completely freaked out. I would hate to get pregnant and then find out that something is wrong with my heart.

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Permalink Reply by Zoe on July 7, 2011 at 10:00am

Hi Sara. I don't have any knowledge about your symptoms, and my experiences are very different but I want to tell you I understand the fear about anything to do with heart. I have had an arrythmia for many years that just seems to get worse, is exacerbated by acid reflux (I can't tell them apart) and doesn't respond much to the meds. The first cardiologist I saw did all the tests and told me that arrhythmia is uncomfortable but not dangerous as long as it was not symptomatic of underlying heart disease which the tests showed it was not. Each time it seems to change or get worse I will go to a cardiologist and do the whole process again to hear the same reassurance. I believe that it is just arrythmia and not dangerous....that is my head believes it...but when the symptoms are bad or increase I get scared. Over my life I've used cognitive therapy techniques to deal with my fear. That is, telling myself, it is ok, it's normal to be scared but you are not dying. It sort of works but then I get scared and need to do it again.

I like my current cardiologist. If you've read any of my posts on here you will know that I don't rely on doctors much for treatment of my diabetes....well, ok, not at all..lol. My experience has led me not to trust their knowledge as much as I trust my own. But heart is different. I can read a little about it, but it's too complex for me and I have to trust my doctor. I do trust him, and when I need to I go back for tests or reassurances. But at 3AM when I'm alone in my bed and I'm having symptoms that won't let me sleep, the fear comes back. This is my heart. So I understand how you feel and all I can say is trust your cardiologist, and make lists of questions for your visits and ask about treatments and explanations of what is going on. Do what you can, that is, to make yourself safe and reassured. Then just go on with life. Kind of like we all do with our D.

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Permalink Reply by Sara on July 7, 2011 at 10:13am

Thanks Zoe. Sorry to know that you have the same fears but it is good to know that I am not alone. Your case sounds all too familiar.

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Permalink Reply by Sara on July 16, 2011 at 11:45am

So, my stress came back normal and I am going to just try an relax, continue to eat well and exercise and not worry. Thanks for your help. I will still, of course, stay aware of how I feel but no more digging for what it could be that I am feeling. I am ready to put this baby to bed! Thanks for your feedback.

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