This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

There's been some talk of Vinpocetine for MS (mainly by JackD). I just started taking 2x10mg a day though I haven't seen much difference. If anything, a few symptoms may be exaggerated, but I doubt it's from this.

Anyway, here is a nice monograph on it: http://www.thorne.com/altmedrev/.fulltext/7/3/240.pdf

ikulo,
I take vinpocetine at a much lower dose for its neuroprotective properties. It was recommended to me by a physician (not a neurologist) as part of a long-term set of supplements to take to help limit microglia inflammation and neurodegeneration. I take 5mg once-a-day, along with several other supplements, like DHA, n-acetyl cysteine, bromelain, etc.

Neuroprotective Benefits of Vinpocetine

My goal with this regimen is to not look for symptomatic improvement as validation (I don't expect any, as my day-to-day symptoms vary so wildly that a benefit would be hard to pinpoint), but to continue with it long-term for neuroprotection. I take Copaxone in the same way. I've taken it for 12 years now, and have never been aware of any benefit in day-to-day symptoms, but the science points to a neuroprotective benefit which is the reason I continue with it.

For CCSVI enthusiasts, vinpocetine is also associated with increased blood flow to the brain, see the link above about Chronic Cerebral Vascular Ischemia.

--Tracy

_________________
CCSVI Procedure 9/16/2009 at Stanford
Stent in left and right IJVs
SPMS
Copaxone and Ampyra user

ikulo,
I just read the link in your original post about vinpocetine from the Alternative Medicine Review, very interesting and informative, especially the statement about possible benefits related to tinnitus:

Disappearance of tinnitus occurred in 50 percent of those who started vinpocetine within one week of the trauma. Regardless of the
time since the incident, 79 percent of patients had improved hearing and 66 percent had a significant decrease in the severity of the tinnitus. Vinpocetine has also been found to be effective in treating Meniere’s disease and in visual impairment secondary to arteriosclerosis.

--Tracy

Thanks for your posts Tracy! Good to know other people are using this supplement. How many mg's do you take? Also, remember to take it with food, as the article says that absorption reaches almost 100% when taken with food.

JackD has done a good job posting some information, but I'll keep dumping other research in this post regarding Vinpocetine and its activities.