I take Cosamin DS...it's a mix of glucosamine, chondritin, magnesium and absorbic acid...i've taken it for about 5 years and it works...my hips used to hurt sooo bad and now i rarely have pain...it's been a wonder drug for me!

My doctor recommended I take Glucosamine and chondroitin for the arthritis in my knee. For years, my knee had clicked when I went up and down steps (I'd had a bad fall in my 20's and believe it contributed to my current arthritis problem). By the time I discussed it with my dr., I was practically crippled up with pain. Could hardly walk, was looking for the closest parking spots at stores--was starting to wonder if I should put in for a handicapped plate so I could get the closest ones.

As I said, my dr. recommended G & C, and explained that it's not a 'quick fix' or a pain med--it works by rebuilding the joint, so it can take up to 3-4 months to actually see the improvement it will make. When I went to the store, the first brand I saw was Knox--which included gelatine, bought it. I have some drug allergies, so I started out taking half the recommended dose. Didn't give me any problems and I continued taking half the dose. Within a short time, the intense pain was gone, by the end of 3 months, my knee didn't even click any more. It's amazing how much improvement that OTC drug has caused. Now, I park in the farthest spots and hike into stores--such a pleasure to be able to do so! And I can work around the house, up and down ladders, up and down on my knees, all day long without any problem.

However, I will mention a few caveats. Don't try to talk your mother into taking G&C before she discusses it with her dr. It shouldn't be combined with some other meds, so she needs to make sure she can take it safely. Secondly--I've heard reports that some folks are helped by it, some aren't, and that may relate back to the Knox thing. It was pure chance that was the brand I picked up at the store (I've stuck with it over the years I've been taking G&C). Not long ago, I heard a report that for G & C to be most effective, it needs to be combined with gelatine. That could be the reason some people are finding it helps and others don't. So if you, your mom, and her dr. decide this is the way to go for her, be sure to find a brand that includes gelatine for the maximum chance at it being successful for her, and make sure she knows she has to stick with it for a few months, so that she can actually see if it helps her.

Oh--and I've never upped my dose from the half dose I started with. Bottle calls for 4 pills a day--I take 2, and get full relief with that amount. I figure if things ever 'heat up' in the future, I can always up the dose to take care of it.

Hope your mom finds relief--I can totally empathise with the kind of pain she's in.

I don't think there is a definitive answer. I tried it for 4 months without any apparent benefit. But then I have advanced osteoarthritis and will have both knees replaced when my husband retires. It does seems to help some individuals. My orthopedic surgeon said that even if it's just an improvement due to the placebo effect it's fairly safe and certainly worth trying.

Azzalea is right when she says that your Mother should speak with her physician first. Perhaps there have been more recent studies that show different dosages or combinations.

I started out with 5 daily, and did see a difference. Then I thought of the cost, and dropped it back to only one, over the time of a few month.

The pain came back full power, and I started back up.

Now, I take 3 glucosamine, chondritin daily. One in the morning, one at noon and one at night. Yes, there is a difference for me.

Moni

I felt great when I was taking it but then I got pregnant and I've been breastfeeding so I haven't taken it in quite some time. The creakiness came back soon after I stopped taking it. I used Kirkland brand from Costco.

DH took it, and because he has no cartiledge left in his knees, it did nothing. He now takes Cherry juice (it's really thick, and he uses a spoonful in a glass of water...someone else may know more about this) and says that helps more than the glucosamine. But again, that is because there was no cartiledge left for it to help.

Vickey-Mn

Where do you get cherry juice, Vickey?

I've taken gluc./chondroitin for years. It's just one of those things that you don't know if it's helping or not. I keep taking it. It's not cheap, but I watch at my local chain pharmacy and they have buy one/get one specials from time to time.

I've taken glucosamine for several uears. My doctor suggested it for pain in my knees. She said that it either would work or would not, and that I'd know in 3-4 weeks. It worked for me. If it didn't work for your mom within a few weeks, she could quit taking it.

I have been taking for years the Costco brand Kirkland Glucosamine HCT (1500MG) and Chondroitin Sulfate (1200MG) for the arthritis I have everywhere. I use to have pain in my shoulders, knees and hands and this has really helped a lot. The pain has gone away. I also stopped "clicking" when I walk. I only take one tablet a day right before bed.

My DH was taking it before me and finally convinced me to try it. I didn't believe it would work either until I tried it.
Clare

I guess it is TART CHERRY JUICE...I googled it and there is a LOT of info out there about it, it is suppose to reduce inflamation. Does it...I don't know, but DH says he can tell if he doesn't drink it for a day or two. Like the glucosamine, it's worth trying, if it works and relieves pain..anything is worth it.

Vickey-MN

the brand below. used to be sold at wal mart but no more...dh LOVED it...

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.doccherry.com/

I took it for 9 years and then last year I decided it was just a waste of money. I couldn't tell any difference when I stopped taking it. Exercise works better than any pills or creams for me.

DH and I have taken it for 3 years.I can't tell any difference and just quit taking it a couple of months ago.He says it helps him.Chondroitin didn't help either one of us. If you take it be sure it is Glucosamine Sulfate and the capsules are suppose to be best because they are assimilated better than pills..Dh also takes Calcet,a calcium supplement sold at Wal Mart.He swears it helps his knee pain and that he can tell the difference when he is out of it.
I had completely forgotten about the cherry juice.I took that several years ago and it did help.Don't know why I quit.I need to look for it again.
DD swears by acaci juice.Might want to research that.
I think any of the supplements work for some and maybe not for others.

Like Vickey's Dh, I drink the tart cherry juice. And, boy do I know it when I forget and skip a few days! It takes about two months to get enough in your system to really start working, but I started to notice some improvement even sooner. I buy it in a quart concentrate for about $20. Then mix 1/2 c. concentrate with 3 1/2 c. water. Drink 8 ounces daily. Which reminds me, I haven't had any today! Glucosimine didn't work much for me, and I took it for several years. I quit and never noticed any differenct.

Tami

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.

My orthopedic MD and my internist say it's not medically proven to be effective. I'd guess that most people taking suplements experience a placebo effect. I remember seeing a quote from 'The Lancet' (British Medical Society publication) that said Americans have the most expensive urine in the world. LOL

The rheumy at Mayo Clinic put DH on it---specifically, a brand at WalMart (Spring Valley or something similar?). He notices when he QUITS taking it...