NEUROPATHY - POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Updated: 3 days ago
Neuropathy is a complaint reported daily by people with Lyme and co-infections. I have had severe symptoms of neuropathy, and after treating and learning tools, I had minimal complaints for years. This year, when mast cells became the cause, my usual tools were not enough, and calming the mast cells is what finally helped. Below you will find the solutions most often reported as helpful by members, plus additional resources. I felt the most significant improvement with Lion's Mane and ALA. For immediate topical relief, I always have the Nutrasal on hand.
I greatly empathize with those who feel this. It always scared me, and the intensity of this pain is extremely scary at times. It is also very hard not to react to it, even in public. It was a symptom that was hard to hide for me.
Short on time or energy? A quick-view graphic with the key points is at the bottom of this post.
Want to learn more about what causes neuropathy, including the mast cell connection? Read the education post:
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IN THIS POST
- First, look for the cause
- If mast cells are involved
- Calming stress
- What I learned about shoes and socks
- Supplements and topicals
- Other therapies people ask about
FIRST, LOOK FOR THE CAUSE
A Lyme-literate doctor teaches that healing starts by removing what is hurting the nerves:
- Treat the infections. Lyme, Bartonella and Babesia can all injure nerves.
- Correct low vitamin B12, low vitamin D, too much vitamin B6, and thyroid problems.
- Ask your doctor whether any of your medications could be affecting your nerves. Never stop a medication on your own.
- Address mold exposure if it is part of your picture.
- If you are not improving after several months, ask about testing for heavy metals.
The full list of tests to ask your doctor about is in the education post above.
IF MAST CELLS ARE INVOLVED
This was the missing piece for me. ALA is recommended by nearly every doctor I see, and I was taught it can take months to notice a difference, but it did not help my neuropathy when mast cells were behind it. When my doctor added Pepcid, a stomach medicine that is also an H2 blocker, it shockingly reduced the neuropathy in my feet and hands.
Dr. Leonard Weinstock and colleagues (2023) shared the step-by-step approach they use for MCAS:
- A 3-week trial of a low-histamine, gluten-free and dairy-free diet.
- An H1 blocker (an allergy antihistamine) plus an H2 blocker such as famotidine (Pepcid), twice a day.
- If more help is needed: quercetin, vitamin C and vitamin D.
- For bigger symptoms, some patients also add low dose naltrexone (LDN).
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CALMING STRESS
Stress can set off mast cells, and I have watched it trigger my own flares. Ideas from a Lyme-literate doctor:
- Deep, slow breathing
- Mindfulness or meditation
- Activities that tone the vagus nerve, the nerve that helps calm your body
- Limbic retraining programs, which work on calming the brain's alarm system
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WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT SHOES AND SOCKS
I was wrongly diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, and for two years I wore shoes that aggravated my neuropathy. I was so mad when I realized it. No doctor helped me with this part, so after months of research and trial and error, here is what helped me:
- Loose-fitting socks
- Thin socks so my feet stay cool
- Wide shoes that give my toes room, even though I do not technically need a wide shoe
- High-quality shoes. My foot doctor said I was wearing one of the best shoes for neuropathy, and I still had to add a soft insert.
- Good, cushioned inserts made for diabetic neuropathy. I learned that even expensive shoes often come with basic inserts, because you are mostly paying for the midsole and outer design. I am slowly replacing all of mine.
- House shoes on hard floors, every time
- No plantar fasciitis shoes with built-in massage bumps. They triggered my nerves.
- No warm linings in boots
- Nothing tight
A note to shoe companies: do better, and include the dang cushy insert! (Deep breath.)
SUPPLEMENTS AND TOPICALS
ALA (ALPHA LIPOIC ACID)
Recommended by nearly every doctor I see. It can take months to notice a difference.
Learn more and find products here:
Buy here (Xymogen ALAmax CR: alpha lipoic acid, controlled release, the ALA I use):
B VITAMINS
Look for B12 in the methylcobalamin form.
Learn more and find products here:
COQ10
Part of a Lyme-literate doctor's nerve repair steps. Check with your doctor if you take atovaquone (Mepron or Malarone).
Learn more and find products here:
CURCUMIN / TURMERIC
A Lyme-literate doctor uses it to calm inflammation around the nerves.
Learn more and find products here:
GLUTATHIONE OR NAC
Part of a Lyme-literate doctor's nerve repair steps.
Learn more and find products here:
HOLY BASIL
I usually use the tea to reduce pills.
Learn more and find products here:
LION'S MANE
One of my biggest helpers in the past.
Learn more and find products here:
Buy here (Mushroom Wisdom Super Lion's Mane: lion's mane mushroom):
PHOSPHOLIPIDS (PPC)
Part of a Lyme-literate doctor's nerve repair steps.
Learn more and find products here:
ACETYL-L-CARNITINE
A Lyme-literate doctor suggests it especially for people who do not eat red meat.
OMEGA (COD LIVER OIL)
Adds vitamins A and D, which makes it double duty for me since I cannot take vitamin D.
Learn more and find products here:
VITAMIN C
I use magnesium ascorbate, a buffered form that is gentle on the stomach and a good choice for histamine issues. Camu camu is another option.
Learn more and find products here:
NUTRASAL MAGNESIUM/ARGININE CREAM
My go-to for fast topical relief. It is the only topical that worked for my dad's diabetic neuropathy.
Learn more and find products here:
Buy here (Nutrasal Magnesium L-Arginine Cream: magnesium and L-arginine):
JADIENCE PAIN RELIEF CREAM
Another topical that works really well for me and my dad.
Buy here (Jadience Herbal Formulas Pain Relief Cream for Muscles, Joints and Nerves: East Asian herbal blend):
FIND RELIEF
One I personally love: Find Relief, formulated by my doctor, Dr. Thoring.
OTHER THERAPIES PEOPLE ASK ABOUT
My Lyme doctor taught me to be cautious about what I try, because my neuropathy and my mast cells go hand in hand. Because of that, I have not tried many of these myself. Most research on these was done in diabetic or chemotherapy neuropathy, not Lyme or mast cells, and many studies are small. I am hoping future research will show stronger results, but for now I remain skeptical about most of them. Talk with your doctor first and go slowly. I keep my feet cool, so I would be careful with anything that heats the skin if burning is part of your neuropathy.
- Red light or laser therapy: a 2023 review of 8 studies in diabetic neuropathy reported less pain and better nerve signals.
- Acupuncture: a 2024 review of 9 studies with 751 older adults with diabetic neuropathy found it might improve symptoms, but the evidence was rated low certainty.
- PEMF: a 2026 review of 13 studies did not find clear pain relief for peripheral neuropathy, though it did help pain from spinal nerve roots.
- Vibration plates and foot massagers: there is not enough good research yet to know. Since massage bumps triggered my nerves, I would go gently.
- Cupping: a 2023 review found no high-quality evidence for any type of pain, and the only nerve pain studied was after shingles, not neuropathy.
BEFORE YOU START
- Read the warning on each bottle, and talk with your doctor before trying any of these, especially if you take other medicines. Never stop a medication on your own.
MY EXPERIENCE
- Even though I am not convinced ALA helped my mast cell neuropathy, I still stay on it. I use ALAmax CR by Xymogen.
- Glutathione has been in my protocol since day one.
RELATED POSTS
INTERNAL VIBRATIONS, TREMORS, BRAIN ZAPS, ELECTRIC SHOCK SENSATIONS AND CRANIAL NEUROPATHY
PAIN / INFLAMMATION - POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
FOOT PAIN
SOURCES
Neurology International, PEMF for Nerve Pain Review (2026)
Frontiers in Medicine, Acupuncture for Diabetic Neuropathy Review (2024)
Current Diabetes Reviews, Light Therapy for Diabetic Neuropathy Review (2023)
Frontiers in Neurology, Cupping for Pain Review (2023)
Weinstock et al., Journal of Personalized Medicine (2023)
Oncology Reviews, Vibration Therapy for Neuropathy Review (2015, older source, still worth reading)
Dr. Jill Carnahan, Hormones and Histamine (2026)
Dr. Marty Ross, Neuropathy guide (updated 2026)
Disclaimer: Rise Above Lyme makes no claims about any possible benefit of using any product mentioned within this site. Always consult with your doctor before adding anything. The information shared is based on personal experience, years of accumulated researched resources from Lyme Literate doctors and polls conducted within Lyme groups from actual patient experience using these solution ideas.
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