glucosamine and chondrotin

[rempop]

I suffer from osteo arthritis due to a lifetime of sport. I have tried just about everything for pain relief from tens machines, acupuncture, chiropractice etc etc.I have recently started taking glucosamine and chondrotin one a day capsules, sadly no relief as yet, has anyone tried this with any success ? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Rem.

[Sqad]

In my opinion I have yet to read any properly conducted therapeutic trials which convince me in any way that glucosamine and/or chondroitin are effective in the treatment of Osteoarthritis.

[karenmac60]

I don't know, but my mum has recently bought mussel extract from Holland and Barrett - bizarrely for her cat which has arthritis - and he's had a new lease of life! Previously he lay in his bed all the time and had a permanent scowl on his face and now he's like a kitten again, running and jumping about and generally happier.

[jno]

so glucosamine and Felix then... I'm waiting to see if anyone has any good news about this myself as my old bones are starting to creak.

[craft1948]

I take glucosamine liquid every morning, not capsules,,,,,it takes about 3 months before you feel the benefits.

[jno]

and how well does it work, craft? Any special reason for taking liquid not pills?

[craft1948]

I just read that the liquid is more effective but the only place I can seem to find it is on the Healthspan site.
I pooh poohed it to start with as I'm not a herbal remedies person but tried this in desperation, and can honestly say it's made a huge difference to my knees.

[LoftyLottie]

My GP has told me recently that there is considerable medical evidence that Glucosamine and Chontrotin are beneficial and has recommended that I take then. I have been taken them for a couple of months and I do seem to be somewhat more mobile. He has also told me that their is absolutely no evidence that fish oils help with arthritis so I have slung them.

[LoftyLottie]

The vet has also recommended it for my dog and her dodgy hip.

[alavahalf]

Some years ago I tried it ... as I suffer with arthritis after injuries received in sport and accidents. At that time I must say I seen no benefit.
But after a my last visit to an orthopeadic surgeon, who has been telling me for years that my knee joint needs replacing ... he told me to try it again, but to make sure I was taking an ample dosage ... at least 1500mg per day.
I then started taking it and as my daughter was working at Holland and Barrett ... I was getting it in the half price sale along with the staff discount ... I bought a years supply.
Taking the larger dose, I have got to admit that my aches and pains did ease while I was taking it.
You have now reminded me I had better get another supply in and give it another go..!

[shaneystar2]

I take it .But you have to give it a chance to get into your system .Few months at least .
I get mine from Zipvit . One a day capsules . Don't know really if has any effect .I have RA factor as well.Some days I think it's great but most of the time I wonder why I bother to swig pills .
To be honest I don't think anythng helps except to keep buggering on with it .

I used to play a lot of sport and I curse Miss.Green ( her of the loose hairpins and three times round the hockey pitch on a freezing cold morning ) on a reguar basis:))

[askyourgran]

MrAsk has glucomsamine on prescription from his doctor, he has been taking it for a while, and it has eased the pain in his knees.

[LoftyLottie]

Yes, I was told to take a large dose as well.

Hi Shaney x

[pastafreak]

I also started on 1500mg daily of Glucosamine for my knees after reading that studies showed it to be beneficial in cases where arthritis is already present. It HAS made a difference,I know because my knees feel worse if I forget to take it for a week or two.
I may try the liquid...I have seen it in Boots.

[shaneystar2]

How do you get it on prescription askyourgran ? My GP recommended I take it but said he couldn't prescribe it .I've spent mega money on it :))

[askyourgran]

My OH asked the doctor about it as he has arthritis in his knees, and he'd been told that it could be obtained on prescription. I have to say it is the 'supersaver' version that the chemist gives him (I've seen him take it from the shelf in the shop). My oH plays crown green bowls and the doc is happy to help him keep playing. He's over 70 now, but I don't know if that makes a difference.

[midagetrolop]

My husband took it for years - then decided to stop to see if it made any difference - no if didn't - no benefit at all just a waste of money!

[pastafreak]

It's not a cure-all...and I suspect it varies according to what condition you are taking it for. I read of some new studies that say that powdered rosehips have even more effect on arthritis pain-with no side effects.

[overthetop]

I've been taking glucosamine on and off for a while and more regularly recently with chondrotin. I don't have any diagnosis of any problems, but the leg joints are stiffening now that I'm not running around all day at work. I didn't notice any improvement but hoped it was more of a preventative rather than cure. Was due to buy more today and checked the dosage. I was taking only about 330 mg glucosamine. So, on Alavahalf's suggestion, bought 1500 mg glucosamine and 1200 chondroitin - at a cost of £22 (Boots own brand) for 30 days supply! I'll give it two or three months. If it makes it any better it's money well spent. And I'm blindly assuming that it can't do any harm.

[Chickadee]

overthetop - next time try Healthspan, they are much cheaper. My hubby just bought 6 months supply of glucosamine for £12.95 at 1000mcg, two tabs a day.

[boxtops]

I take G&C tablets every day, my sister recommended them to me, and I suffer much less from pain than I did before. I also take a cod liver oil capsule daily.
However my old mum, who had severe osteoarthritis, used to swear by New Zealand Green Lipped Mussels capsules and you could see them working for her. If she ever ran out and didn't take them for a few days, she stiffened up and became much less mobile. I would say, give them a dry.
As has been said, there are many different dosage levels out there - make sure you are taking enough, some tablets are a third the strength of others.