Neuropathy Webinar Expanded Q & A

Wonderful insights and wisdom shared by our panelists and the webinar audience who wrote in with questions and advice. While several people reported not being heard or receiving help from their healthcare providers, panelists encouraged us to keep communicating and to share the ZBC neuropathy factsheet with our providers. Below we have a summary of the responses from our webinar panelists and participants, with some extra questions answered.

Prescription medications:

Survivor Deborah found that duloxetine stopped her symptoms from getting worse
A webinar participant uses gabapentin
Survivor Regina did not get relief from any of the medications prescribed

Supplements:

For information about dosage and potential interactions with drugs, check out this database. Unfortunately, supplements are not regulated in the U.S.
Turmeric (curcumin):
- Black pepper helps the body absorb turmeric
- Regina’s doctor recommended she get Turmeric Platinum Bioperine 1300 mg (Science Natural Supplements, Bioperine is a black pepper extract)
- Oncology nurse practitioner Eva Meyers recommends using turmeric as a spice in food; she adds it to coffee, veggies, noodles, everything
- Donald Abrams, MD of UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine recommends turmeric supplements
Vitamins:
- Deborah takes vitamin B6 (note: either too little or too much vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, can cause neuropathy)
- A webinar participant takes B12
- Eva noted that research is still unclear about the role of vitamin D or B vitamins in neuropathy

Topical medicines (non-prescription):

Deborah uses peppermint lotion (Dr. Bonner’s) on her feet for blood flow
Regina uses CM Complex Cream (Nikken)
Deborah also uses a rubbing oil with frankincense and myrrh
A webinar participant found that Topricin Cream decreases the sharp pain

Cannabinoids/marijuana:

Researcher Alyce Adams noted that we have limited evidence because of long-standing legal restrictions on research and use.
Some people report that cannabis products help with pain and/or sleep
Dr. Abrams recommends that people who have had cancer avoid CBD (cannabidiol) and choose products with THC (presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2021)

Other treatments:

A participant asked about Sanexas, an electric cell signaling treatment; no good evidence about whether it is effective was found in a short scientific literature review
There is some (limited) evidence of benefit from TENS (transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation)

Links shared during the webinar: