Glucosamine chondroitin

I took it for years, especially while I was working out on a regular basis.

My best friend's hubby (a veteranary surgeon) suggested it to me...I think that it worked ok but not spectacularly...I am chugging NSAIDs  right now for joint and back pain due to severe inflamation...nothing else helps (and even that doesn't do much good)...but for mild joint pain and inflamation they say that it works well. It more of less preserves the joints from what I remember but I can't remember if it heals them.

I know that he even prescribes them to animals with hip pain.

Worth the try...

Sharon

It has the same effects (supposedly) as NSAIDs, but not the same side effects. It is safe. Could have some anticoagulant effect, especially taken with other anticoagulants. I tried it for a year. Saw zero improvement with my joint pain.

Jan

The key with glucosamine/chondroitin is to get the sulfate variety, not hydrochloride. Unfortunately, grocery stores and drugstores usually only carry the latter. Health food stores usually only carry G and C sulfate. 

I am a retired chiropractor and have noted that about 2/3 of users have reduction in hip or knee pain caused by osteoarthritis (the wear and tear type of arthritis). Clearly, inflammation reduces, but it is not known why yet. I'm not aware that G and C are helpful with other joints. 

I take it for my right knee, which has had a torn medial meniscus cartilage for 25 years. It now also has mild osteoarthritis and started hurting 5 years ago. G and C sulfate reduced the pain completely in weeks. I walk 1/2 hour several times/week without problems. I did, as an experiment, use G and C hydrochloride for 2 months initially with no benefit.

G and C are normal substances found in the bodies of infants, and are used in forming the cartilage in joints. However, the amount we have in our bodies decreases with age. 

Best wishes,

Scott

Thanks Scott

Your response is very helpful. I finally understand it a bit better. I usually buy my G&C at GNC or Vit world so that, I am guessing, would be the good kind?

My knees and hips have been giving me more trouble lately (feels like my knee is going to pop out sideways, like the ligaments no longer wnt to hold it in.) so I am hoping that the G&C will help with that.

Any other suggestions for supplements to help with joint problems?

Could you suggest any movements for sciatic nerve pain?

Thanks for the help

Sharon

Hi Sharon,

I'd check your supplement bottle to see if it says it is the sulfate variety of G and C.

I should mention, the original studies showing benefit were done with glucosamine, not including chondroitin. But they usually come together in supplements and that's fine. 

Regarding your knees, if their trouble includes osteoarthritis, G/C is worth a try--my Mayo orthopedists say they hear this from osteoarthritis patients all the time and advise staying on it. Start by getting a good diagnosis if you haven't yet.

Joint problems do their best when their area is kept as strong as possible and obvious aggravating factors are avoided. The problem is, to avoid aggravation in a troubled area we tend to not get needed exercise for it, and the area becomes deconditioned and even more problematic.  A trainer can be helpful in selecting appropriate exercises. If weight bearing exercise, for instance, aggravates knees, often a cycle will work.

For sciatica, a good diagnosis of its cause, appropriate treatment and exercise training are all important.

Wish I could recommend more supplements, but the studies aren't supportive. 

Best of luck to you Sharon!

Scott

Good points Scott. My arthritis pain turned out to be inflammatory, not osteo, so probably one of the reasons I did not see relief with G&C. I found that it is important to find out what your underlying conditions are.

Jan

Thanks Scott,

I am wating for the end of the Feb vacation period for my Rhumy and PT to get back so that I can have an appt.

Will seek diagnosis (I tend to be inflamatory) but this knee thing is different...I suspect that while walking over cobblestones to work I sort of slip sideways and overcorrect putting undue pressure on the knees.

Am presently icing everything for 1/2hr at a time  and using anti-inflamatory creams and patches.

I can't change my activity level because it is the only way to get to work (walking a mile over a cobblestone sidewalk, uphill! It is very picturesque but not very easy to navigate.)

I have reduced to nothing my exercise routine (very uncharacteristic of me) because everything hurts lately due to a severe flare. 

How do you get flares under control? How do you stop them? No vitamins for that?

I used to use silicium for healing, have you heard of it? Have you ever used it?

Sharon

Hi Sharon,

The flares could easily be caused by all the walking to work you are doing. Ice is important in reducing them, but their cause is likely the biggest issue to remedy somehow. An elastic wrap for support during walking may help some. Glad you have appointments with your docs soon.

Best wishes,

Scott