I’ve been dealing with small fiber neuropathy for about four years now, and the nights were always the worst part. That transition from standing to lying down seemed to trigger the ‘electric’ burning sensation every single time. After a lot of trial and error, I’ve found a routine that actually lets me sleep. First, I started using bamboo sheets; they stay much cooler than cotton and don’t snag on sensitive skin. Second, I take 600mg of Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) about 30 minutes before bed. My neurologist recommended it, and while it took about a month to kick in, the intensity of the flares has dropped significantly. Lastly, I use a bed cradle to keep the weight of the blankets off my feet. It looks silly, but not having that pressure on my toes is a game changer. Hope this helps someone else struggling to get some rest.
The bed cradle is such a smart idea. I usually just hang my feet off the edge of the mattress, but then they get cold and that triggers a different kind of pain. I’m going to look into getting one.
I second the Alpha-Lipoic Acid. Just a heads up for anyone starting it, make sure you get the R-ALA version if you can, it’s supposedly absorbed better. It definitely helped my numbness.
Magnesium glycinate has been my go-to lately. I take it right before bed and it seems to calm the ‘twitching’ that usually comes right before the burning starts.
Has anyone tried those weighted blankets? I keep seeing ads saying they help with nerve pain but I’m worried the pressure would be too much for my feet.
MilesToGo - Personally, the weighted blanket was a nightmare for my neuropathy. The pressure felt like lead on my nerves. If you try one, make sure it’s returnable!
I’ve been doing the ALA for 3 months now. It didn’t cure it, but the ‘electric shock’ feeling went down from an 8 to about a 3. It’s subtle but it adds up.
Does anyone find that sugar makes the flare-ups worse? I noticed a huge spike after eating dessert or even just a lot of carbs in the evening.
SweetToothNoMore - Absolutely. If I have a high-sugar snack at night, I’m guaranteed to be awake with burning feet by 2 AM. Inflammation is real.