Glucosamine, etc. Anyone tried it.

[cjgauthier]

        I was wondering if anyone tried any of these supplements for joint or muscle pain.  I keep hearing about supplements that are supposed to help these tired old joints and muscles but never wanted to spend the money. Ibuprofen and Naproxen are OK but not so good for the organs or with some other meds. Snake Oil or for real?

[Formerly Known as Bigfoot]

I used them for some time and saw no relief.  Then I saw a study released which showed the benefit was not was being touted.  Not sure who did the study.  

[TuffguyF4i]

What are you trying to do?  Joint or muscle pain?  They are not caused by the same things and they are not solved with the same supplements.  

For joint pain, you want to try  the glucosamine and conjointin (sp).  They're usually in one tab.  I think prolab makes joint fuel.  Has worked for me in the past.    I helps reduce inflamation and that helps your joints repair.

For muscle pain, you want glutamine.  I use every day when hitting the gym hard.  That and creatine are all i really use for sports supplements.  

[jay547]

i tried glucosamine and chondroiton many times, different types, brands, etc. and for long periods of time, just to make sure. none worked for me. my brother and mother swear by it. i know many who do but it just never worked for me.

[SuperHans]

Simply taking Glucosamine and Chondroiton is not as simple as it sounds. You have to take the right amount the right frequency for an extended period to realize the benefits. Simply taking one or two pills a day will not be enough. Plus you need to make sure the brand you are taking has the right levels of the supplement you are taking.

I took Glucosamine and Chondroiton some years ago and found that it was quite expensive to take the quantity I needed but it did provide relief for my joint pain.

[MrMoto]

I tried it for some time and got no relief. I work for a mid-sized orthopedic practice, and mentioned it in passing to our pain management specialist. She recommended 50 mg of hyaluronic acid twice a day.

Although it didn't relieve my chronic knee issues 100%, I feel confident in saying I've seen at least 85% improvement in a problem I've had for 30 years. I highly recommend you try it.

[1000lbs]

I've used glucosamine/chondrointine a few times in the past.  I saw mild improvements while dealing with injuries, but nothing ground breaking.  As a side note these supplements have an impact on blood pressure, so if yours is on the high side, I'd look else where.  Also, shellfish is used in the ingredients, so take caution of allergies.

[Bender]

Glucosomine and chondroiten works for my 13 y.o. dog... he runs around like a spring chicken again.  

[county]

I gave it to my dog for a while.

[kevin_stevens]

Glucosomine and chondroiten works for my 13 y.o. dog... he runs around like a spring chicken again.  

Try feeding him some ghost pepper - he'll really take off!

KeS

[greench440]

It's great for alleviating hip pain by lightening your wallet.  Works as good as any other snake oil.  

FDA has found no benefit.  Kind of like all the other crap on right wing radio like Ginko Biloba, Garlique, Saw Palmetto.....

http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/04/briefing/4045b1_05-conclusions.htm

[kevin_stevens]

It's great for alleviating hip pain by lightening your wallet.  Works as good as any other snake oil.  

FDA has found no benefit.  Kind of like all the other crap on right wing radio like Ginko Biloba, Garlique, Saw Palmetto.....

http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/04/briefing/4045b1_05-conclusions.htm

Awesome unexpected introduction of politics from, er, left field!  Three stars!  

KeS

[blackwing]

 Didn't help me worth a shit.

[maddjack]

 Don't know if it works but heres something to think about. If you have high blood pressure STAY AWAY , it cranks up BP bad.

[zer0netgain]

Like most any product, it might not work for everyone.  I used it and it worked some for me.  I think it's worth a try, but you might need to be on it for 6 months or more and the improvement could be so gradual that you don't think it's working but you are better a year later than you were before...you just never noticed a significant improvement over a short time.

You might also benefit from colloidal mineral therapy, but as much as some people call that snake oil science, I know a lot of people (including myself) who saw radical improvement from using it.

Just because a therapy helps others doesn't mean it's what's needed to help your specific condition.

[SuperHans]

Just because a therapy helps others doesn't mean it's what's needed to help your specific condition.

Very true. This is true with pharmaceutical medications too.

[bomber]

I tried glucosamine/chondrointine (and fish oil) on the advice of my medic -- I'd always figured it was snake oil (I mean, if it had a block of infomercials schedules at 4AM, how good can it be), but they helped me greatly in trerms of lessening joint pain.

You can find some that ISN'T made of shell fish (and avoid not only allergies but potential mercury intake as well) . . . like anything else, just because it helped me down't mean it'll help you.

[Tejasbusa]

I have been using it for about 15 years.  It works for me.  I do know others who it does nothing for them.  The key to using it tho is to not stop.  If you can not remember to take it religiously, then it will probably not give you good results.  The fellow who talked me into trying it said that you needed to take DOUBLE the recommended amount for a month, then for the next month take 1 and a half the amount and then the 3rd month take the recommended amount.  He also told me to not expect any results for a month or so.  He was almost right.  I had normally been taking ibuprofen by the hands-full and about 2 weeks into it I slowed down on the ibuprofen and after a month I was just barely taking any when I over exerted myself.  I do know that when I forget to pack the bottle with me on my travels and try to make it for a week without taking any, by the time I get home I am hurting real bad in the joints.  So I have made it a point to go find a store if I run out or forget to pack the pills on a trip.  I have not found any one brand any better for me, so I watch the sales and buy the cheapest stuff out there that can give me the recommended dose with just two pills a day.

My mom doesn't like the pills so she goes to Sam's and buys the liquid stuff they sell.  I tried it and it just tastes too nasty for me, kinda like an orange that you first rolled around in the dirt and then just ate it like an apple, rind and all.

An yes, some may say it is expensive, but to be able to walk with less pain is worth it to me.  I spend about a dollar a day, unless I can get a good sale on the pills.

[UFO]

I take a joint supplement, but I believe the best thing for your joints is to just keep them lubed (ie. exercise).

When I take an extended time off form working out I find my joints start to feel a little "loose" (not sure how to describe it) and I get minor aches once in awhile.  When I am working out I never feel any of that.

[Snowbird]

I gave it to my dog for a while.

I bought some for my elderly dog that had begun having difficulties getting around and after about two weeks, I could not believe the difference it made. I then looked into it and started taking it myself-- glucosamine with MSM-- and have continued taking it for about ten years. The only problem is that I now hump legs, wet the carpet and chase cars.