Glucosamine.

[sandrathecat]

Hello everyone, I read in the newspaper yesterday that scientists have concluded that taking a daily dose of glucosamine reduces inflammation in the body and also has the effect of reducing CRP readings. Has anyone heard anything if this and is it worth a try I wonder?

[Soraya_PMR]

Not necessarily in men!

This from 2012 medscape.com/viewarticle/77...

See comments from Eric Matteson!

[Soraya_PMR in reply to Soraya_PMR]

This from 2014 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[sandrathecat in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Thank you for that Soraya. Interesting article. I am working on the principle that anything is worth a try!

[Hidden in reply to sandrathecat]

I think it was touted as working better with chondroitin and given that it is made from cow or shark, I tried a veggie version but didn't seem to.help much but that was 10years it so ago. I think that if it doesn't harm or interact with meds it's worth a try. If nothing else it helps you feel pro-active.

[sandrathecat in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for telling me about the chondroitin as I was going to buy some and did not realise that it contained animal ingredients as I am veggie also. I will give the glucosamine a try because as you say it feels as though I am doing something.

[Hidden in reply to sandrathecat]

Check that is veggie. The capsules might not be. I got my dog the vets version for the arthitis she has in her shoulder/front leg and it seemed better. But with dogs it could be anything?!

[sandrathecat in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, I have fallen into the trap before of not checking the capsules so I definitely will this time. If it works for your dog it might work for me!

[maria40 in reply to sandrathecat]

I get vegan glucosamine capsules from Just Vitamins. I think they do help.

[sandrathecat in reply to maria40]

Thanks for that advice Maria.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The last time I read work on glucosamine it said it achieved not a lot ...

[sandrathecat in reply to PMRpro]

I think I was just clutching at straws!

[Soraya_PMR in reply to sandrathecat]

I took G&C when my discs were bad, chiro’s advice. Didn’t do me any harm, might have done some good.

[sandrathecat in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Everything is worth a try I think. Thanks for replying to me.

[piglette]

I have been taking glucosamine for a long time and it certainly has no effect on my CRP. It is known to reduce inflammation though. I bought some from eBay which was probably a con and I really felt the difference and went back to my expensive supplier, so it does work for me.

[sandrathecat in reply to piglette]

Thanks for the info. I will give it a try and will call into Holland and Barrett tomorrow for some.

[Hidden in reply to piglette]

Iwas looking at vitk2 online to get sense if it's price etc and was thinking that unless it was from a place like boots or handb etc (other shops are available) I don't think I could buy even from Amazon that I trust for non meds. I would be too scared. 😂😂😂

[sandrathecat in reply to Hidden]

I think you are right in this. I have bought vits from Amazon and don't feel 100% sure about their origins.

[piglette in reply to Hidden]

One lives and learns!

[Hidden in reply to piglette]

I got stung with makeup for Xmas present off eBay that was fake a few years ago. Not used it since 😂😂😂

[piglette in reply to Hidden]

I think I have been knobbled in the past too. I had one woman who had a stroke in the middle of the payment and kept saying I had not paid her.

[Hidden in reply to piglette]

Oh dear. 🙄

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

When I first went to my GP about arthritis - he suggested I took it - allegedly it’s supposed to help 60% of people.

Told him I already took it, so he said stop it and see if it makes any difference without.

I stopped, noticed no significant difference in anything - so decided I must be in the 40% it does nothing for!

But if you don’t try, you won’t know!

[sandrathecat in reply to DorsetLady]

The trouble is that these days if I feel a bit stiff etc I don't know if it is my PMR, reducing the pred or old age! So will give it a go.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to sandrathecat]

It’s worth a go - but it takes about 6 weeks to know if it’s working.

[HeronNS]

I've used glucosamine (in a capsule not a hard tablet) for many years. I believe it has helped stave off the damage of osteoarthritis which I was diagnosed with when I was 40 but probably had earlier. Considering that is over 30 years ago and I am in remarkably good condition (minus the PMR and fatigue) for someone with such a longstanding diagnosis of OA I'd say it's been helpful. I take two 1000 mg doses a day, which is high. My theory is the studies do not go on long enough. Also people don't take enough, nor for long enough. It's something which keeps your joints healthier, not a painkiller, not a fast fix for anything. I have never heard that it helps inflammation. I actually stopped taking it when I was sickening with PMR because I thought it had stopped working and I might as well save my money. After I got sorted with pred I started taking it again. I've never used the version with chondroitin.

[sandrathecat in reply to HeronNS]

I found your message very helpful and I shall definitely start taking glucosamine.

[HeronNS in reply to sandrathecat]

I've heard some people say it's hard on their stomach. I have not found it so, but note I take the capsules (a powder in a capsule) not a solid tablet, and it just so happens I always have taken them with a meal.

[sandrathecat in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you. I will look for the capsules you mention. Very best wishes.

[kathleen18]

I have arthritis in wrists and hands, and Consultant recommended I take Glucosamine with Chondroitin. I also take cod liver oil capsules. I don't know whether they make a difference, but anything is worth a try!

[Kaaswinkel]

I would rather spend my money on hemp oil tablets, or fish oil tablets...Alida.

[Noosat in reply to Kaaswinkel]

I am taking CBD oil three times a day. I don't know yet if it helps, but cannot hurt as a natural substance without harm to body