Glucosamine?

[Cyrenatee]

Hi,
I'm wondering about your experience with Glucosamine. I met someone who has RA today, and she asked me if I was taking it to ease some of the lupus symptoms. I don't know very much about it.
She takes the liquid and says that it makes a huge difference.

How do you find out about how MUCH to take and if it is okay?
Should I check with my rheumatologist first?

I have been diagnosed with systemic lupus for about twenty years. Moderate.
I take plaquenil and synthroid and atalat (calcium channel blocker for high blood pressure). Since Vioxx was pulled, and I don't like Celebrex or Bextra, I've been taking at least four 200 mg. of Advil (Motrin) and six 200 mg. most of the time.

If something could mediate that level of anti-inflammatories my body seems to need to maintain the quality of life and function, it would be great.

Please let me know.
I don't post often enough, but have always valued the forums as a place where the experts give the best information and trust it.

Thank you.
With love, Cyrenatee

"What do we live for
If not to make the world less difficult for each other?" George Eliot

[jude mack]

Hi Cyrenatee I take Glucosamine with MSM and it helps, but I recently read that it doesn't work. I take 3,000 mgs a day. Mind I still take alot of pain meds as well. I only notice the difference when I haven't taken it for 3 weeks and it isn't much of a difference. Everyone is different, so I guess it is worth a try. Have a great day. Jude. :thumbs:

[Tom]

Me and my wife both take Glucosamine with Chondroitin and it works well for us. For my wife, it makes all the difference with knee pain. For me, I just simply feel better, move easier, and don't crack and pop as much. I also take a multivitamin which gives me more energy telling me that I need it. We asked a specialist what he thought about it one time and he said it definately makes a difference in the wearing of your joints. Keeps the cushions between them healthy and bones too. I havn't heard anyone say that it caused problems, just that some didn't notice a difference. I think of it like vitamin C (I feel better and don't have a cold, so it must be working). All I can say is try it and see if it works for you. I'm glad that we did. Take care. :flowers:

[belladonna]

I tried Glucosamine with Chondroitin for over a year and nothing... I also tried the copper and the q-ray bracelets, nothing... What can I say but 'sucks to be me' :shrug:

[Wolfenstein]

Sorry to hear you're in so much pain all the time. I've been taking glucosamine with chondroitin for about 5 years because of knee pain. It really does help with that. I've noticed that if I slack off on it the pain comes back within a few weeks. Have also tried just the glucosamine and found that it seems to work much better when combined with chondroitin. The combo I use is 500 mg gluc and 250 chond. Can take 3x day but usually I get along with 1-2 day.
From what I've read, it seems best suited for those with knee pain. Doubt if it would do much for generalized joint pain. It's always best to ask your dr about taking anything because a lot of the supplements out there can interfere or interact with other meds or conditions. btw, could you tell me about the synthroid? I don't remember ever hearing about that.
:hello:

[alobreto]

Hi, all! ;)
I don't take Glucosamine-Chondroitin, but my husband does and he swears by it for the pain in his arms. Both bones in his forearms were shattered and the elbow bones were amputated by a serious fall from a height several years ago. Fortunately the docs were able to rebuild and replace with hardware most of the injuries, although his right arm never did completely heal.

I've got a book on alternative remedies that was written for nurses and published by Mosby, a respected medical text publisher, that says there have been clinical studies that prove that it IS effective in MOST, but not ALL, people who take it for at least 6 weeks. Apparently it takes that long to get the therapeutic blood level.

I agree that you should talk to your doc or pharmacist about possible interactions.

I also think that if you're having chronic pain problems you should get a referral to a pain specialist physician, a doctor of anesthesiology with additional training in symptom control. Many docs think that pain docs are only for cancer patients, but that is absolutely NOT the case. They can offer you options for pain control besides just meds, and they aren't afraid to do what it takes to improve your functioning and quality of life.
Regards,
Angela :flowers:

[JosieSue]

I have been taking Glucosamine / Chondroitin supplements for approximately one year. Last year I fell and had to have my knee and ankle x-rayed. The orthopedic surgeon told me that I have severe arthitis and was likely headed for knee replacement surgery. He showed me all the spurs on my x-rays. He told me to start taking Osteo Bi-Flex Triple Strength Glucosamine - Chondroitin because that is the one that studies have shown to help inflamation and possibly help generate cartilage to grow again. I have read alot of studies about whether it works or not, but I am convinced that it works and helps me a great deal. My doctor said it is very important to buy a reputable brand and not a store brand or generic. He mentioned a couple of them but the Osteo Bi-Flex was tops on his list. It is expensive but I have noticed in the sale flyers that most drug stores have them on sale buy one get one free from time to time. My mom swears it works for her too. OH!! the doctor said it takes at least 3 full months before you will feel the full affects. The dosage on the bottle is two tablets a day.

Good Luck!
Josie

[Cyrenatee]

Thank you for all your replies!
I do so appreciate your taking the time and sharing the experience.
It sounds like I'll talk to my rheumy about taking it in combination with
chrondritin. He doesn't object to other supplements that may or may not be proven to help. His argument is that they don't hurt. Things like enzymes and fish oils, etc.
BTW, Wolfenstein, synthroid is a thyroid drug. Low thyroid levels frequently seem to accompany autoimmune diseases. Interesting, huh?
Hope everyone has a good weekend and holiday. It's Canada Day today, and the 4th of July, of course, here in the U.S.
Take care. Find those moments that fill your soul.
Love, Cyrenatee