Thursday, October 07, 2004
PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY (PN)
& RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME (RLS)
I'm adding information on treating Peripheral Neuropathy (PN), a tingling and numbness of the fingers and toes that can progress to shooting pains and in severe cases, make it difficult or impossible to walk or use your hands. This is typically a result of certain chemotherapies, most notably Thalidomide and/or Velcade, although there are a number of other causes.
This regimen is known as the Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) regimen, although it was actually put together by a physician at DFCI, and is not officially sanctioned by DFCI itself. It has worked well for me in reducing my PN and others have reported success in reducing the intensity as well. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR ONCOLOGIST BEFORE EMBARKING ON ANY REGIMEN, INCLUDING THIS ONE. (Not ALL of the prescription medications will necessarily be needed; your doctor should assist you in determining which make sense in your individual case.) Please be advised I am NOT a doctor, and am NOT dispensing medical advice. CHECK FIRST WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE UTILIZING THIS REGIMEN.
NEUROPATHY TREATMENTS
VITAMINS
Always take with food
*MULTI-B COMPLEX VITAMIN with B1, B6, B12 (at least 400mcg), folic acid and other
FOLIC ACID 1 to 2 mgFolate
B6 VITAMINS 50mg in AM, 100mg in PM
MAGNESIUM 250MG twice a daymay cause diarrhea in large doses
POTASSIUM 2 teaspoons Apple Cider VinegarBananas, Oranges
VITAMIN E 400 IU daily
*AMINO ACIDS can be obtained at Health Food Storesor Bread and Circus supermarkets. Take with food.
L- CARNITINE 500mg twice a day with food.Can take up to 2000mg a day. Acetyl-Carnitine is best if available.
ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID 400mg to 600mg a day with food
*L-GLUTAMINE Start with 10gms a day for 1 week,Then 1 gram 3 times a day with food.Dissolve in 8oz. Liquid.
MEDICATIONS - Prescription needed
NEURONTIN (gabapentin) Start with 100mg three times a day.Gradually work up to 600mg three times a day.*Can dose as high as 2700mg total dose with Physician permission. Neurontin comes in 100mg and 300mg pills. Use with extreme caution in doses above 1,200 mg/day total.
*ELAVIL (Amitriptyline) 25-50mg at bedtime.
*ZOLOFT(Sertraline) 50-100mg at bedtime.
*LIDODERM PATCH 5% 1 ½ patches to each area of pain. Remove after 12 hours each day.
MISCELLANEOUS
TONIC WATER (Quinine or Seltzer water)Drink one glass in evening and any other time cramping occurs.
CAPSAICIN CREAM (Zostrix) Over-the-counter in pharmacy.Apply to fingers or toes and feet once a day.
COCOA BUTTER (rich in Vitamin E and other emollients) Apply to affected area twice a day with gentle massage.
STEROID SYMPTOMS
*SEROQUEL 25mg at bedtime.
*RITALIN 5 to 10mg twice a day.
*ATIVAN .5 - 1mg before bedtime andevery 4 hours if needed for anxiety.
RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME (RLS)
I have a fairly severe case of RLS. My legs tend to "twitch" a fair amount when I get tired and while I am sleeping. You could also describe it as "flailing", with both my arms and legs. My doctor has prescribed Mirapex, which is a drug also used to treat Parkinson's Disease. I started out with .25mg per night, then bumped to .50 after several years. In the past year, I've found it necessary (with my doctor's blessing) to increase the dosage to 1mg per night. I generally take .5mg about 2 to 3 hours before going to bed, then take the remainingn .5 when I go to bed. My wife appreciates it, as it minimizes the bruising resulting from her being kicked while I sleep! AGAIN, CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE OR THINK YOU HAVE THIS MALADY. MIRAPEX REQUIRES A PRESCRIPTION AND IS NOT PRESCRIBED LIGHTLY.
