Do any of you use Glucosamine/Chondroitin Supplements? If so, what has been your experience? Have any of you with Fibromyalgia used it? Thankyou, In His Grace, Sissy

-- Sissy Sylvester-Barth (iblong2Him@ilovejesus.net), January 06, 2002

Answers

I take glucosamine sulfate 600mg a day. No side effects of any kind. Seems to help my sciatica from bad discs.

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), January 06, 2002.

My 73 year old sister takes it, and has for some time now - swears by it. Says it helps with aches and pains, back problems, etc.

-- Bonnie (chilton@stateline-isp.com), January 06, 2002.

they sell it for dogs too. to help with arthritis

-- js (schlicker64@aol.com), January 06, 2002.

Diabetics take note, and any one else watching insulin levels, that glucosamine can raise your insulin resistance. I don't use it for that reason.

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@nospammail.com), January 06, 2002.

I am not a pro supplement person. But, my left hand was so painful I gave G&C a chance. It has helped.

-- pc (me@me.com), January 06, 2002.

My hubby & I swear by it------neither of us would be able to work some days if we didn't take it!!!!!!!

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), January 06, 2002.

Wonderful stuff! Both my hubby and I use it with great results. We also give it to our dog that has hip dysplasia - same pill we take, except we put a dab of peanutbutter on his :-). It has helped all three of us live more mobile and less painful lives. I know it doesn't work for everyone, but for those of us that it does, well its a life saver.

-- Jane (jwagman@mail.com), January 06, 2002.

I have been taking it for a little over three years and would not be without it as it has really helped. I am also diabetic and have not had any adverse effects.

-- Joe (CactusJoe001@AOL.com), January 06, 2002.

I took it for several months for my hands. I can feel pain after knitting for awhile. The stuff had absolutely no effect at all. I quit wasting my money. I use Tiger Balm now instead.

-- Patricia Ramsey (WOOLSPIN@AOL.COM), January 06, 2002.

Sometimes MSM works better. I think it depends on what the problem is. One is good for lubracating joints, another for inflamation. My father-in-law has really bad knees and took Glu, Chon, MSM combination and did really well on it but decided to stop because it made him constipated. I said eat prunes. I give MSM and yucca to my horse with arthritis and it helps alot. With her I found the glucosamine made no difference.

Doctor thought I had Fibromyalgia but it was a Candida infestation and chemical overload. An excellent book available in all health food and book stores called, Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Drs Balch and Balch has an informative chapter on Fibromyalgia and it's treatment with a list of supplements and recommendations to help and possibly HEAL Fibromyalgia, instead of just treating the symptoms.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), January 06, 2002.

Sissy. I have arthritis and take a glucosime supplement for it. It has not had any measurable effect in three months, but I was told by an elderly woman friend that she took it for over a year, and at around a years time it did have an effect, or something did. You see, once there is damage in a joint, cartilage, or any connective tissue, it takes a long time to repair since there is little blood flow (as compared to muscle) and a high proportion of scar tissue for the camaged area. It is also generally needed in a place of inflamation, so there is even less blood flowing. It is a difficult place to mend, and it takes time. An important thing for you to do is meet your diatary needs with as much fresh food as possible, and clean your system of toxic residue, so that your blood is in the best state to help you heal. Eat your greens.

-- roberto pokachinni (pokachinni@yahoo.com), January 07, 2002.

If you are allergic to beef don't take it. One of the two, I forget which is made from cow's tracheas.MSM works for me.

-- VickiP. (countrymous@webtv.net), January 07, 2002.

my thumb joint was so painful to bend. It clicked when I bent it and got stuck and when I moved it to unstick it the pain was pretty bad. I was desparate. So I saw it at Costco and bought it. In one week I noticed a major difference. Now after taking it for a month I have no pain in my thumb any more.

My dogs food has it in it already so I don't have to suppliment it for them.

Now for FMG, take a look at the herb "Feverfew". It takes from 2 weeks up to 3 months before any noticeable difference as it needs to accumulate but it does help inflammation at the cellular level.

-- westbrok (westbrook_farms@yahoo.com), January 07, 2002.

What is MSM??

-- MissJudi (jselig@clemson.edu), January 08, 2002.

Have any of you ever used DMSO for joint pain? Leaves a kinda yucky taste in your mouth, like oysters, but does work for arthritis in some people. My vet said he had as many people using DMSO for themselves and the folks used it for the horses.

We used DMSO on several horses that had joint problems and they got better, however, the label says it is sold as a solvent only. I have used the DMSO gel with good results on my bad knees, but don't like the taste. The MSM is supposed to be refined further than the DMSO is. Anyway it is cheap and does work on some people's aches and pains. However, wash hands thoroughly before applying as it will take whatever is on your skin right through to the tissue underneath.

Cindy

-- Cindy (colawson@mindspring.com), January 08, 2002.

I take a glucosamine & MSM for my joints it helps alot. MSM is methyl- sulfonyl-methane it is the form of sulfer as in the cells of the body thus is bio-avalable and absorbed from the digestion easly.

-- Thumper (slrldr@yahoo.com), January 09, 2002.

My mother-in-law swears by glucosamine with chondroitin and MSM. She is 84 years old and about 3 years ago, she threw out all the drugs the doctors were giving her for rheumatoid arthritis. She started on these and gets along great. She can still shop till I drop!!! She knits, does yard work and about anything she wants to do. I really think the MSM is the miracle thing. One word of advice. Make sure you buy good quality. There are a lot of Junk ones out there.

Good luck!

-- Sherry (venturememe@yahoo.com), February 12, 2002.