Glucosamine, Chondroitin, & MSM for arthritis?

**pip** · 04-06-2008, 12:12 PM

Anybody use this supplement for their joint pain? It seems to have been around for quite a while, so I'm thinking it's pretty safe, but I'm wondering how effective it actually is. I have achy joints... knee, ankles, wrists, lower back, esp in the morning and in the evening. Anybody have any experiences to share with using it? Thanks.

**thriftymom80** · 12-08-2008, 06:43 PM

I think that the combo of Glucosamine Chondroitin and MSM is really great. Between the three, it works to help build cartilage, increase lubricant in the joint, reduce pain, and reduce inflammation. It works really well for most people, but of course, everyone is different, so you do need to give it a try. It generally takes a while to build up in the system...sometimes even up for 3-4 months. So don't give up on it if it doesn't work in the first week. It's sold where I get my supplements online, at seacoastvitamins.com. Good luck.

**pat in east texas** · 12-09-2008, 11:51 AM

I started taking MSM years ago. I thought I'd try it for 6 weeks or so and see what happened. It didn't take a week before I noticed a definite improvement in range-of-motion in my neck. My hip stopped hurting. My knee stopped hurting. My back improved, although it didn't completely stop hurting.
I'm still taking MSM with the addition of glucosamine.

**Brat** · 12-09-2008, 08:39 PM

I know that this is going to sound funny to most of you but my dog has taken this for 3 years now..He had to have surgery on on back leg for joint degeneration...the vet told us to start him on this medication and now he is doing fine and don't have to have the surgery on the other leg...He takes it daily and he plays with other dogs and kids like he is still a puppy and he is now 7 years old..

**Contrary Housewife** · 12-09-2008, 11:04 PM

I looked into this a while back. While it will not help my arthritis (RA) it can help a lot of people. The only thing is you have to keep taking it. If you go off it, the pains come back. You should talk to your doctor about it.

**pat in east texas** · 12-10-2008, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by Brat

I know that this is going to sound funny to most of you but my dog has taken this for 3 years now..He had to have surgery on on back leg for joint degeneration...the vet told us to start him on this medication and now he is doing fine and don't have to have the surgery on the other leg...He takes it daily and he plays with other dogs and kids like he is still a puppy and he is now 7 years old..

I had forgotten...
When our Springer Spaniel started showing signs of arthritis, we gave her MSM. In no time she was acting like a puppy! We lost her about 3 years ago due to age, but I think her life was so much better than it could have been..

**Greebo** · 12-10-2008, 08:51 AM

Glucosamine has also helped our old dog with her arthritis. It's the only supplement she's on, but she's definitely more active, limber, and in less pain than when we got her almost a year ago.

**SweetCasey** · 12-17-2008, 10:39 AM

It helped one of my late toy dogs for her bad knee (grade 1 luxation). She had great improvement with it and I gave it to her daily with terrific results.

I have not seen the same level of improvement for myself. Periodically I try it for a few months but do not notice much difference. I injured my right ankle many years ago and I have significant arthritis as a result.

**pip** · 12-17-2008, 05:20 PM

You know, I ended up giving it a try last spring for a couple of months, and did not really notice any improvement so I stopped. It's expensive, too.

**Gardengal18** · 12-17-2008, 05:52 PM

My dog is on it too. She has a luxating patella and starting symptoms of arthritis. She's been on it for 4 years now and she's now 12 and racing around the house like a young pup again since she's been on it.

**dcompton** · 12-17-2008, 09:10 PM

Actually I tried it when a veterinary who is a friend suggested I give it a try since it did wonders for her elderly dog. It seemed to help. However, a couple of days ago, I came across an article (referenced in a Mayo Clinic site) that said it is suspected of increasing insulin resistance in type 2 diabetics. Which is me, so I've stopped until I can research it a little more.

It is expensive (and I had just bought more

). But Walgreens, if you have one handy, very often has it buy one, get one free, that cuts the cost in half. I would suggest the "triple strength" or similar disignation, because you take few pills. And they are "horse pills" for sure.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 12-19-2008, 05:26 PM

I take glucosamine sulfate for my joint pain. I dislocated my shoulder back in 1999 and after two surgeries and almost ten years, it still bothers me a lot. The glucosamine sulfate actually relieves the pain and inflammation around my shoulder joint and into my collarbone.

They're massive in size but I'd gladly take them to keep me from being in the doctor's office all the time.

**dcompton** · 12-19-2008, 05:50 PM

I looked into the insulin resistance thing, and as with almost everything medical, some studies say yes, some say no. So I'll probably start it again.

**ri*smom** · 12-20-2008, 10:00 AM

I've been taking high dose fish oil (Coromega from Amazon.com) so I haven't tried anything else like you've mentioned, but the fish oil has helped me tremendously with my RA.

**Ceashels** · 02-16-2010, 12:53 PM

I'm bumping this up with another question. I've had some hip pain due to arthritis since Thanksgiving and I'm getting to the point where I'm considering glucosamine and chondriotin supplements. Even though the research is not demonstrating rebuilding of cartilage, the anti inflammatory effects are worth trying it. Anything to take the edge off the pain that isn't NSAID would be nice.

Since supplements are not "standardized" and I've read some reports where they don't even contain the listed amounts of the active ingredients they claim to have can anyone recommend a brand name that has a good and reliable history for their product quality?

I saw the K-mart label has a B1G1 right now but I don't know if that brand would be any better than Nature's Bounty or other company. Any suggestions while I continue to research?

Thank you!