Glucosamine/Chondroitin

berry99

berry99

Cathlete
My orthopedic doctor suggested taking glucosamine/chondroitin daily because of my knee issues. I bought some at Wild Oats and haven't taken it yet. The bottle doesn't really say anything, but do you take it with food? Does it matter? Also, has anyone noticed any differences (good/bad) while taking G/C?

Thanks,

Karin
 
Karin-
I swear by the stuff! I take 1 with breakfast and 1 just before bed (pretty empty stomach I guess). About 10 days into it I can Hi/Lo & Step w/ zero pain or discomfort... I ran out last month and within a week I was feeling discomfort again.... That was my little "test" that it works for me.
 
From what I know, it takes about 3 weeks of taking it before you feel results. I ran out once and forgot to get more for 3 weeks... so for me it end up with a 3 week "window" both starting and stopping if I ever forget again. I don't take as much as they want me to on the side of the bottle, but I still feel good at half the dosage. Try out what feels good for you!
 
I "heard" that it is possible that this raises blood cholesterol levels. Any truth to that? I ask because I am considering taking this, although a physician friend recommends glucosamine only.
 
My cholesterol hovers around 163 and I have my total cholesterol done every monthe when I donate platelets. I gave up all types of meat that isn't fish (ask Kathryn for the actual term since I have no idea, LOL) and I gave up drinking cow milk but still eat the worst thing around (cheese) ;) }( .

Which is to say, I haven't had any discernable cholesterol repercussions since starting glucosamine w/ chondroiton (correct spelling too much work) 4 years ago...
 
Thanks ladies. Amy and Traci, I have a question about the dosage for you. My doc recommended 1500 mg daily. It seems like you guys use less than that. Would you mind telling me what you use (just for reference)? Thanks again ladies.

Karin
 
I was taking this and my doctor told me to quite taking as I had some bloodwork done and it raised my potassium. When I went off of it and had more bloodwork done - my potassium levels were normal.
 
No personal experience from me but my DH swears by it. His doc recommended it and it works well for him. I am not sure how much he takes but he really believes that it works for him ,and I don't hear him complaining about pain anymore.
LD
 
Karin thanks for starting this thread. I was just going to post a similar message before I read yours. I have a question regarding either Glucosamine/Chondroitin or Glucosamine/MSM. How old should someone be to start taking these? I just turned 28 a month ago and I'm considering taking these if they really work. Is that too early? Thanks in advance.
 
Hi Rose. I am by no means a doctor, but I am only 32 and dislocated my knee 10 years ago. Currently I am having some issues related to that old injury that are wearing away my knee cartilage and that is why my doc recommended it. I am not sure what your circumstances are but just wanted to let you know what mine are.

Karin
 
I don't have any problems with my joints at the moment, but I've had in the past. I know my dad takes them. He has osteoarthritis and he's in his 60s. I would like to take either glucosamine or something similar to protect my joints (and maybe prevent injuries in the future), but I have no idea if it's too early for me to start taking them.
 
A good friend of mine and I have been taking this stuff for years. We swear by it! I take it twice a day, and it doesn't seem to matter to my tummy if it's full or empty. If I miss a couple days for some reason my knee definitely reminds me! :p

Good luck, hope you have good results!

Connie :)
 
Karin:
Here's the label info on mine
Natrol Brand (drug store- nothing fancy)

Take 1 tablet 3x a day (I do 1 am & 1 pm only=2)

500mg Gluc
444mg Chon
400mg Chon Sulfate
Per 3 tablets
 
I highly recommend Joint Juice Plus. It works WONDERS. I would not take the tablets though as it takes a while to get into your bloodstream and joints. Joint Juice or any liquid Gluc/Chond. will work faster. 1500mg is enough as you'll only take it once a day. If I don't use JJ Plus for a day or so, I'll feel it. I have a slight tear in my cartilage and had dislocated patella for months. I felt better after 2 days of being on the juice when I first started. I normally drink the juice on an empty stomach and I don't have any high level of anything. It depends on the person. Everyone's body chemistry is different. One may be more sensitive than another. Give it a try for 2 weeks and see how you feel. Hope this helps.

Lisa :)
 
Hi Karin, I've taken glucosamine for about one and a half years now. I used to not be able to do Cathe's power moves or IMAXes without a lot of knee pain. Oh and for years I could only do step on a 6" height. With glucosamine, I can do 8" and it has helped tremendously with the power moves. This summer really proved it to me. I stopped taking it for about 3 weeks and my wrists (old injuries) were killing me from lifting weights. I also felt twinges in my knees. I started taking it again and the pain was much less. Unfortunately I developed plantar fasciitis not too long ago, so now I can't do any jumping whatsoever for a while. The most painful day I have had with the PF was when the UPS man delivered Cathe's new dvds. I was so heartbroken. :(
-Jennifer :)

P.S. While I was able to do power moves while taking glucosamine, I should say that I could never go absolutely nuts. I definitely have had to modify some of her moves in the IMAXes and other videos. However, the amount that I was doing while taking glucosamine (before PF) was extraordinary considering the bad tendonitis I had in both knees from too much step back in the day.
 
Just wanted to pop in here real quick to say that my old arthritic dog's vet recommended Cosamine DS for him. So we got him some at Costco (not cheap) and I've been using it myself.

Remember the MD that Cathe was on GMA with? I bought his book Framework and he recommends *only* Cosamine DS also. He says that standards are virtually nonexistent and that many glucosamine/chondroiton supplements have none of the good stuff in them. I don't have time to get the book out for specifics right now but I will later if you are interested........
 
>The most painful day I
>have had with the PF was when the UPS man delivered Cathe's
>new dvds. I was so heartbroken. :(
>-Jennifer :)
>

Mine too :( . My new DVDs are sitting on my shelf staring at me. Who knows when I will be able to do them. Thanks for the info.

Karin
 
>The most painful day I
>have had with the PF was when the UPS man delivered Cathe's
>new dvds. I was so heartbroken. :(
>-Jennifer :)
>

Mine too :( . My new DVDs are sitting on my shelf staring at me. Who knows when I will be able to do them. Thanks for the info.

Karin
 
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