December 20, 2011 New Treatment Available for Diabetic Neuropathy Pain
Diabetic Neuropathy pain is a common but little known condition affecting of type-2 diabetics. It is estimated that 60-70% of people with type-2 diabetes will have some nerve damage from neuropathy. Foot complications are the number one reason why people with diabetes go to the hospital and every year 225 diabetics endure lower limb amputations.
Until recently the only relief for patients suffering from the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy were medications prescribed for pain. There is no relief available for the tingling and numbness or helped to repair the damaged nerves.
PamLam, LLC a company based in Covington, LA believes it has the first possible treatment, a prescription strength medical food called Metanx. Metanx contains high doses of three types of vitamin B that are found naturally in food. Recently six double-blinded scientific studies were done across the U.S. to test Metanx, including Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
According to Dr. Fonseca, the Chief of Endocrinology at Tulane Medical Center and lead investigator for the research, that while the placebo showed a small improvement, the Metanx patients showed a significantly better improvement with this drug.
One such patient is Susan Doell, a mom and school teacher who was diagnosed with type-2 diabetes just before Hurricane Katrina. Within a year of her diagnosis, she started to notice tingling sensations in her feet. The tingling progressed to stabbing pains which made everyday activities difficult.
For Susan, walking is easier and as a school teacher Susan can now stand longer in front of her class without pain. She describes the effect as a marked improvement from before she started Metanx.
PamLam LLC’s Senior Vice President of Scientific Affairs and Chief Science Office, Harold Koch says that PamLam wants to increase improve the lives of patient suffering from diabetic neuropathy. Patients taking Metanx were starting to feel their feet again after suffering from almost complete numbness.
Dr. Fonseca is hoping that the results of his study will be published in a scientific journal. One such journal is currently reviewing the study for publication.
Tags: diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, nerve damage, neuropathy, type 2 diabetes
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