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Glucosamine

21 years ago

Anyone tried this? My chiropractor suggested it and I started it today.

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Comments (15)

PeaBee4
21 years ago
It can do wonders. A lot depends on which joints are bothersome. It seems to work best for the large ones like knee and hip, but not as well for the tiny ones like the fingers and toes. You may not notice any difference for about four weeks. Don't give up!! Give it at least six. If you cannot detect any change after six weeks, it probably won't help you.
PB
marie26
21 years ago
When I had surgery on my big toe, my doctor had me take this. He swore by this medicine.
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There are also other, herbal products that might help, instead of or in conjunction with the glucosamine/chondroitin, which may allow you to use less of the expensive stuff. I don't remember all the names off hand, but if you look for products with Boswellia, Devil's Claw, Turmeric, these will also give anti-inflammatory effects. There's a product for horsess called Bute-less (or, it USED to be called that, may have changed) for those horse owners who were worried about the long-term effects of bute on the gastric system - I can attest to that one working for my brother's horse - and I think it can also be used for dogs, adjusting the dosage. There's another called DGP, which originated in Australia, but can be found here - the anecdotal evidence says it works. They all will probably take at least 3 weeks to work, maybe 4-6 weeks for the full effect to be seen. They might be less money than the glucosamine/chondroitin. Try googling Hilton Herbs products - I think they also make products for dogs as well as horses.
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There is still no evidence that MSM does anything to help with arthritis. It is supposed to have an anti-inflammatory effect, but this has never been documented. It doesn't appear to cause any harm, but it also doesn't appear to do any good. Glucosamine and chondriotin are both substances that are required for healthy cartilage. The most effective forms are glucosamine HCL and chondroitin sulfate; they are most readily absorbed and used by the body. The most effective ratio is glucosamine HCL 500mg/chondroitin sulfate 400mg. The most common dose is 3-6 times that ratio in humans, starting with a higher dose during a 6-8 week loading period then decreasing to the lowest effective dose. If there is no improvement after 6-8 weeks, there is no use continuing to supplement. I use it and it helps with my knees, which I injured many years ago. I recommended it to my FIL and it didn't help him at all. It helped my husband, and I also give it to all of my dogs to prevent cartilage break-down (they are large breed dogs). In humans and animals, it seems to help about 50% of the time. I think it depends on how much cartilage-producing cells are still in the affected joints. Glucosamine and chondroitin appear to have a better effect when the cartilage damage isn't severe. Glucosamine and chondroitin are not pain releivers, but work by building up the cartilage in the joints. This helps protect the bones in the joints from rubbing against each other, which is the source of joint pain. One major problem with supplements in general is that there is no government regulation on them. Many brands have been tested and some have almost no glucosamine or chondroitin in them! Look for a symbol on the packaging that says USP, indicating the manufacturer follows guidelines from US Pharmocopeia, which is an industry self-regulatory board. The link below has more information on glucosamine/chondroitin. Here is a link that might be useful: Info on glucosamine and chondriotin
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For the last year, I have been taking a glucosamine and chondroitin mix and have not noticed much change, but then, my joints were in pretty good shape when I began. My wife claims is best used as a preventative, rather than to cure after the joint is damaged. In other words, don't wait until you have painful joints; begin at the first sign of joint discomfort of before. I get mine at Sams Club. The quantity is a bit large, but it is less expensive than at a convential drug store. The only caveat is a warning: do not take if you are allergic to shell fish. Recently, I read that a company is close to releasing a version without shell fish content and that should be safer for the allergic. The bottle label also discloses that this product has not been through study trials with the FDA. The FDA's position is that it may work, and again, it may not. They have no comment. Apparently, there has been no danger in taking the drug provided that you do not have an allergic reaction to it.
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Don't ever give your dogs human painkillers without consulting with your vet first! They can be toxic and extremely dangerous for dogs. Besides there are so many painkillers and anti-inflammatories on the market that are especially for dogs. Why don't you look into them before just giving your dog a human advil? Also if your dog is limping, it could be a sign of a torn ACL and that's a serious issue that needs to be treated and looked at by a medical professional! If you just give your dog a pain killer and try to mask the pain, what you may very well end up doing is making the problem worse and creating further complications down the line. My dog tore her ACL and it was a long recovery process (without surgery). We give her this Inflamex all natural anti-inflammatory for dogs from the online store ortocanis and we also use their knee brace for dogs, during her recovery as well as after she recovered to give her that added bit of stability to her knee. While doing your research into products for dogs if they're experimenting pain and mobility problems is a good way to go, nothing is going to to substitute the opinion and diagnosis of your vet. That's where you really need to start.
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Pawprint
Original Author
21 years ago
ItÂs for a degenerative disk, L4 to be exact. I hope it helps as it always hurts.
abreeze
21 years ago
A friend says she was told to take vitamin C with it. Anyone else hear that?
Pawprint
Original Author
21 years ago
I take vitamin C anyway so I'm okay.
Meghane
21 years ago
Been on it for the last 3 years and my knees don't hurt even with exercise. Also give it to my dogs, one of whom has severe rear limb deformities and it's helped her a lot.
Get the glucosamine HCL 500mg and chondroitin sulfate 400mg- that's the best chemical composition and ratio of drugs. I get it at Costco 250 tablets for $20 (Kirkland brand).
jenn
21 years ago
We had dinner with friends tonight who told us that after they started taking it, their aches and pains were MUCH better. Hubby suggested it to them several months ago. The wife said she felt much better over all (fewer aches and pains). It didn't help Hubby's shoulders much so I guess his problem is different than theirs.
Pawprint
Original Author
21 years ago
I wish it didn't take so long to work. I'm ready now!
PeaBee4
21 years ago
Please keep in mind that it isn't a pain killer like Tylenol or Advil. It works by helping the body rebuild damaged cartiledge in the joints. This takes a few weeks for you to tell the difference. Be patient! If it is going to work for you, it will. It just takes time for the body to do it's thing.
Pawprint
Original Author
21 years ago
Shoot, I forgot my dosage last night! I'm so mad at myself!
cheerful1_gw
21 years ago
Would it help the lower back?
gandbb
21 years ago
I just started taking it, but against the advice of my neighbor who took it and had an allergic reaction that has left her hands in a painful, cramped, constriction. I haven't a clue if this is at all common. I assume not and decided to take the risk, but I guess as with all things, nothing is good for everybody.
Pawprint
Original Author
21 years ago
It's starting to work! My lower back is feeling a little better each day!
Ina Plassa_travis
21 years ago
:) I tore that disc 4 years ago in a car accident...

the anti-inflammatories were important for pain control...but I think it was the calcium/maganese and glucosamine'/chondriton combination that actually did the healing...along with being pretty dedicated with the pilates to give more support to my back.

the unexpected side effect was that my ankles don't hurt so much- and 'crunchy' describes them pretty well. which has made biking (that and swimming are the only aerobic exercises that don't do more harm than good in my life) all that much more fun :)

my mom has degenerative disc issues, and I just nagged her into giving it a try- I'll keep you posted :)
chicagoerin
21 years ago
I am proof positive that it works. I am 34 and in good health but have achy knees and one finger that must be getting arthritis because it aches all the time. I started taking it and felt great. I fogot to bring it on my week long vacation and didn't think anything of it. Approx 7 days into my vacation I felt SO ACHY. My knees were killing me. I thought I might be coming down with the flu or something and then I remembered I hadn't taken it for a while. Started back on it and the pain left. My dog is on it for arthritis and if I forget to give him his he limps! It's very easy to pay good money for glucosamine pills that have little or no glucosamine in them, so buy only the best brands. I know the best for both humans and dogs through lots of research..EM me if you are interested.
Erin

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