"Does glucosamine and condroitin work?" Topic

My knees are killing me.

Get a check up – probably just wear and tear, but could be a symptom of other, nastier things…

I swear by it. If I miss a day, I can certainly feel it.

Take 2 a day for the first week or two, then you can cut down to one a day. If you miss a day, you will definately feel it.

An old Army friend turned me onto it about 8 years ago. Been taking it ever since. Especially good for the knees. Pay no attention to those fools who tell you to lift with your knees, not your back.

I had to wear a knee wrap on both knees off and on for years. (I worked outside). Started taking G and C years ago and I got off the knee wraps. And I am 60 and gamer sized!

I give it to my dogs who responded well after a few weeks.

Not as much are releiving stress on the joints, best achieved by losing weight.

Ice and alleve are also your friend…

Reviews are mixed.

If you believe it's going to work, your chances are improved.
-Kle.

They've worked well for me so far.

Took 'em for years – very little if any effect.

Finally took a look at reducing the inflammation-
inducing foods in my (actually, our <wife> diet)
in consult with the doctor.

Much better now, although could stand some more weight
loss.

My knees used to creak and grind . No so much any more . All I can say is they do not hurt as much any more .

Does glucosamine and condroitin work?

Dear Mr Anti-Apostrophe Man,

aka John, there is a major grammatical error here. Please identify and report back.

--
Tim

Not really, Tim.
When I listen to the radio infomercials, "glucosamine and condroitin" are usually treated as a single item.

Anyway, my specialty is the apostrophe. I leave number agreement to specialists.

I have been taking it for about a year now and it has improved my health

I've never tried it, although I've been thinking about it for the last few years. My brother used to take it, since he's been a floor installer for the last 40+ years, and he's told me it helped him. I'd take Bill's advice and check with your doc first, just to make sure nothing sinister's going on. Also, any excess weight will certainly add stress and wear to your knees.

Good luck, John!

What Bill said. Start by seeing a saw-bones.

My doctor says it will relieve my arthritic joints, but it has to be taken every day. It's not a permanent cure. If you skip doses or go off it, your pain and stiffness come back. It's expensive, so I have not tried it yet.

I've been on it and I've been off it. Being on it, I have less discomfort and I think it helps, but as klebert mentions there is no definitive proof.

As mentioned frequently, dropping weight is the biggest help. Ed mentions reducing inflammation inducing foods, and to that I might add that there are a lot of foodstuffs that have strong antiiflammatory properties. I cook with a lot of cayenne pepper and curry powders that have a good amount of turmeric. I don't drink much coffee anymore, but when I do I brew it with cinnamon, which I also add to hot apple cider.

It worked for a while on me.
Then I went to cortisone shots.
Now we are talking surgery.

But I'd give it a go if I were you John.
Costco has them on a coupon sale right now.

Any inflammation or other symptoms that might indicate arthritis? You want to jump on that that with both feet if it is; relief from symptoms is all well and good but arthritis can cause very nasty permanent damage, which can be mitigated if it is treated promptly.

Reviews are mixed.

No, the're actually worse than that. From Harriet Hall's (ScepDoc) blog:

link

My right shoulder has always been prone to aches and pains. A couple of years ago it was really bad, so bad it made it difficult to lie on my right side at night. Tried all sorts – deep tissue massage, acupuncture, physiotherapy. Nothing doing for months. Bought some glucosamine/chondroitin which was on offer in a local health shop. Within two weeks my shoulder was good as new.

Take it regularly now but I'm a sucker for nutritional therapy. YMMV.