LymeNet Flash: Alpha-lipolic acid/herx?

This is topic Alpha-lipolic acid/herx? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by elkielover80 (Member # 28368) on :

Curious if anyone has taken ALA and experienced a herx reaction from it?

I don't understand the biology of why it would cause a herx but I started taking it a week ago and couple days after I started it taking it I started getting very intense brain zaps. Also the right side of my face is starting to tingle and go numb.

I know these are sypmtoms of lyme/co but most of my sypmtoms up until now have been related to pain and muscle weakness. I've had the numbness and tingling in arms and legs but the face thing is freaking me out a bit. I'm learning to function with the sypmtoms I've had I don't need any new ones popping up! [dizzy]

I stopped the ALA to see if the numbness goes away. It could just be coincidence but since there are so many people on here much wiser than myself, I thought I'd see what your thoughts are.

Thanks for your input!

Posted by GiGi (Member # 259) on :

Alpha Lipoic Acid moves heavy metals among
a great number of other things. Google it and learn what it does to understand better what you are experiencing. Any doctor that recommended that to you should explain. Also google toxic metal symptoms, i.e. mercury, etc. You will find the explanation.

Good luck to you!

Posted by ktkdommer (Member # 29020) on :

I have not had a problem with ALA. I'm sorry it is giving you a hard time. How much are you taking?

Posted by Marine6624 (Member # 28052) on :

I never experienced any reactions , but that does not mean it can`t happen .

Posted by chiquita incognita (Member # 30381) on :

I ditto Gigi.

Use lots of binders, chlorella, apple pectin, liver support, fluids. Talk to your doctor about how to moderate the dosage and how to support your detox pathways, detox agents, etc when using ALA.

I had soreness in my hands and edema because of heavy metal purge with ALA and had to stop, flush out, step up detox, restart later....

Take care, CI

Posted by elkielover80 (Member # 28368) on :

Thanks so much for the quick responses! I knew you'd all come thru for me once again [kiss]

My dr didn't recommend it. Most of the supplements I'm on, I've added to my protocol on my own. I was re-reading thru Dr. B's guidelines and realized that ALA was the only one of his "must have's" that I wasn't taking so I thought I'd give it a try. I should have looked into it more, shame on me!

I'm taking 250 mg twice a day so I'll back off a bit and add the binders and see how my body responds.

Gigi- I googled the things you recommended. Thanks, it explained A LOT and set my mind at ease a bit.

The symptoms are really bad today and as I was reading the info that I googled I saw that cilantro is a great chelator (not sure if that's the right way to use that word or not). I had no idea! I ate a soup last night that was LOADED with cilantro. I like cilantro and it was even too much for me so I had to chuckle at my ignorance. Gave me a "DUH" moment [Smile]

Chiquita- I was hoping youd add your 2 cents worth! Your opinion is always appreciated, I'll get some chlorella tomorrow!

Posted by mattnapa (Member # 26414) on :

elkielover80- I don't mean to scare you but you should really consider stopping ALA until you either get under a doctors care or that you make sure you do not have significant heavy metal body burden. ALA is one of the few substances that binds metals and crosses the blood brain barrier. So some practitioners fear that ALA could actually carry metals from your body and into your brain if your body load is high. The thought is you need to chelate with DMSA or other substances which do not cross the brain barrier to chelate your body levels before including ALA. Cilantro is also suspected of crossing the brain barrier, so if you want to be cautious you should consider stopping both for now.

If you want I can try to find some refrences for this, but I have heard it directly from my LLMD and have heard it discussed at other times as well. I doubt that you can get a heavy metal provacation test without going to a doctor. Numbness may correlate more with metals than it does to Lyme, but it is probably debateable

Posted by elkielover80 (Member # 28368) on :

Thanks matt! I appreciate the input. Fortunately I have an appt with my llmd this friday so I'm won't have to wait long. I am going to hold off on the ALA this week though until I see her and see what she thinks.

I may take you up on the offer to help find references about it if she doesn't have info on it but so far she seems to be on top of her game so I'm trusting she'll be able to point me in the right direction!

Thanks [Smile]

Posted by mattnapa (Member # 26414) on :

Glad to hear it. I think chelation for most people requires a knowledgeable LLMD type doc.