B6 May Reduce Carpal Tunnel Symptoms

Thanks for posting this :-)

(mystique) wrote in message . com...
(Sorry for cross-posting)


AANP: Pyridoxine May Reduce Carpal Tunnel Symptoms

By Bonnie Darves

ANAHEIM, CA -- July 3, 2003 -- A daily dose of pyridoxine HCl (vitamin
B6) might relieve significantly the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome
(CTS) soon after starting treatment, according to a new study
presented here July 1 at the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
annual meeting.


Use of pyridoxine is not associated with any toxic effects as are the
treatments commonly used for treatment of CTS symptoms, such as high
doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Pyridoxine is
also easier to use than is another standard treatment for CTS -- arm
splints.


"That is really the main point -- that there is no risk for
non-Parkinson's patients in taking [pyridoxine]," said study author
Gregory Holm, MD, an assistant professor of nursing and medicine at
the University of South Florida, in Tampa, Florida, United States.
"And if there is an effect, it will be seen within 3 weeks."


Dr. Holm cautioned that pyridoxine is contraindicated in patients with
neurologic disorders who take the drug levodopa.


In the pilot study, the first part of a multicenter, randomized,
double-blind clinical trial, the researchers compared the effects in
29 subjects treated with pyridoxine 200 mg daily and 31 with placebo
who had similar severity of CTS at baseline, based on the Hold-Moody
Carpal Tunnel Severity Scale. All subjects also received NSAIDs and
night-splints.


Patients in the pyridoxine group experienced a significant positive
effect compared with the control group (P=.022). In those who achieved
a response to pyridoxine, the effects were seen within 3 weeks of
starting treatment, Dr. Holm said. Nonresponders did not experience
improvement between Weeks 3 and 6.


"If it is going to be effective, improvement will be seen within a few
weeks. So if it isn't working at 6 weeks [of treatment], it's time to
move on to other options], Dr. Holm said.



[Study title: Effects of Pyridoxine on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A
Randomized Clinical Trial Pilot Study. Poster 26]

FWIW, I would recommend not staying at 200 mg for very long but to
taper down to no more than about 50 mg per day if deciding to use this
on a continuing basis.

Overdose is not supposed to occur until about 1000 mg or so,
but apparently that really depends on one's sensitivity. I started to
develop symptoms of peripheral neuropathy (ironic, but that is one of
the side effects) in my feet after taking 200 mg daily for a prolonged
period of time. Just an FYI.

Mariette
To reply, remove first 'com' from address

On 5 Aug 2003 20:52:44 -0700, (mystique) wrote:

(Sorry for cross-posting)


AANP: Pyridoxine May Reduce Carpal Tunnel Symptoms

By Bonnie Darves

ANAHEIM, CA -- July 3, 2003 -- A daily dose of pyridoxine HCl (vitamin
B6) might relieve significantly the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome
(CTS) soon after starting treatment, according to a new study
presented here July 1 at the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
annual meeting.


Use of pyridoxine is not associated with any toxic effects as are the
treatments commonly used for treatment of CTS symptoms, such as high
doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Pyridoxine is
also easier to use than is another standard treatment for CTS -- arm
splints.


"That is really the main point -- that there is no risk for
non-Parkinson's patients in taking [pyridoxine]," said study author
Gregory Holm, MD, an assistant professor of nursing and medicine at
the University of South Florida, in Tampa, Florida, United States.
"And if there is an effect, it will be seen within 3 weeks."


Dr. Holm cautioned that pyridoxine is contraindicated in patients with
neurologic disorders who take the drug levodopa.


In the pilot study, the first part of a multicenter, randomized,
double-blind clinical trial, the researchers compared the effects in
29 subjects treated with pyridoxine 200 mg daily and 31 with placebo
who had similar severity of CTS at baseline, based on the Hold-Moody
Carpal Tunnel Severity Scale. All subjects also received NSAIDs and
night-splints.


Patients in the pyridoxine group experienced a significant positive
effect compared with the control group (P=.022). In those who achieved
a response to pyridoxine, the effects were seen within 3 weeks of
starting treatment, Dr. Holm said. Nonresponders did not experience
improvement between Weeks 3 and 6.


"If it is going to be effective, improvement will be seen within a few
weeks. So if it isn't working at 6 weeks [of treatment], it's time to
move on to other options], Dr. Holm said.



[Study title: Effects of Pyridoxine on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A
Randomized Clinical Trial Pilot Study. Poster 26]

Yes, my doctor has recommended this to me

Sue

wrote in message . ..
FWIW, I would recommend not staying at 200 mg for very long but to
taper down to no more than about 50 mg per day if deciding to use this
on a continuing basis.


I agree;-)
D