Until recently most treatments for diabetic neuropathy have been painkillers that helped some people but not others. Even if they helped control the pain, they did nothing to reverse the neuropathy. My web page on “Diabetic Neuropathy” describes many of these treatments.
About half of us have...
Diabetic Neuropathy and the Anodyne Therapy System
12/11/05 11:02pm
I found the information in this article very valuable. It opened up my eyes to take better care of my feet. Thankyou.
12/20/05 4:19pm
Hi,
I wanted to make you aware that Healthlight Therapy Sysem manufactures a system thatis a s good as or better than the Anodyne and cost quite a bit less. The infrared diodes are rated higher, andmany clinics are seeing better results on Neuropathy patients than the Anodyne.
Editors note: Adam is a distributor of Healthlight
1/ 1/06 4:33pm
1/ 1/06 4:38pm
I believe that the mild diabetic neuropathy of my feet was improved by Alpha Limpoic Acid and Oil of Primrose as described by
Bernstein. Has anyone else had success with this? My feet used to tingle all the time but now do not do this but just feel different.
12/12/07 12:04pm
Last year, I happened to be in Trader Joe's (who has a line of vitamins called Trader Darwin's). I was looking at the products and started talking to one of the other people in the store. Her father has diabetes and she was buying Oil of Evening Primrose. I asked her why. She said it was very helpful in ridding him of the burning pins and needles sensations in his feet and also the pain. I tried it and it works. She told me to take at least 4,000 mg daily, so that's what I've been doing. I don't know why it works, but it does work! 
I hope other people can get the same results. Whether or not it actually works to increase the circulation or to what degree it does is a question I'd like to see answered.
I hope other people can get the same results. Whether or not it actually works to increase the circulation or to what degree it does is a question I'd like to see answered.
12/12/07 12:40pm
Dear Emma,
That's great!
Evening primrose oil is gamma-linolenic acid, one of the two main types ofessential fatty acids. These are "good" fats that are as necessary for your health as vitamins Specifically, GLA is an omega-6 fatty acid. Very little GLA is found in the diet. Borage oil is the richest supplemental source (17% to 25% GLA), followed by black currant oil (15% to 20%) and evening primrose oil (7% to 10%). Borage and evening primrose are the most common sources used in studies. GLA has shown some promise for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. This condition consists of pain and/or numbness due to progressive nerve damage. However, supporting evidence that GLA is effective for this use is quite limited. Diabetic neuropathy is typically treated with about 400 to 600 mg daily (about 4 to 6 g of evening primrose or 2 to 3 g of borage oil).
1/ 2/06 12:54pm
Interesting. I just read a report from Reuter's Health that says Infra red treatments were no better than placebo.
What gives?
David’s Response
The Reuter’s Health report is based on a study reported in the December 2005 issue Diabetes Care. The abstract of that article by Judy Clifft and others is online (http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/28/12/2896).
This is the second double-blind, placebo-controlled study of Anodyne Therapy (http://www.anodynetherapy.com/). The first such study appeared in the January 2004 issue of same journal (http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/27/1/168) . These two studies reached diametrically opposite conclusions.
The first of these studies showed “a significant decrease in the average number of sites” that were insensitive compared with those receiving a placebo. The second didn’t.
How could that be possible? The main difference that I can see was the treatment protocol.
Each participant in the new study received half of the amount of photo energy that those in the earlier study received. That’s like comparing studies showing that there is no benefit from 400 units of an anti-oxidant but great benefit from twice as much.
1/26/06 1:20pm
5/13/06 8:48am
I had SEVERE neuropathy pain in my feet and hands. Monochromatic Infrared therapy worked extremely well eliminating pain in my hands and halved the pain in my feet. I am currently seeing if I can get the same results as Anodyne with Revitamed as I do not have to travel a great a distance to get these M.I.R.E. treatments & not due to scientific concerns. The negative studies are FLAWED. Do not believe them. Definitely worth the effort to try. Lasting results occurred after 6 weeks & 15 treatments, but I had immediate relief after very first 45 minute treatment.
8/25/06 8:02am
In my state, treatment at home by a therapist for foot circulation is paid by Medicare with a co-pay of $15. Medicare also pays part of or all of the fee for treatment at a medical site.
I submit this because I read online that Medicare does not pay for treatment at all. It may vary area to area, but check it out before you make decisions to buy your own equipment or not to have treatments.
David's Response:
Thanks for your comment, Barbara. It is important to check first to see if Medicare will pay for treatment. Right now, for example, Medicare is threatening not to pay for the Anodyne Therapy System.
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