glucosamine chondroitin | Arthritis Information

 

Does anyone take this?

My Orthopedist suggested it.    I think I will give it a try.

My "bad" knee.. the one he wants to operate on is REALLY yelling at me today..  and I am not prepared to do anything about it at this time... too much coming up.. holidays and a new grandbaby.

So.. I am wondering if any of you have found any relief in your joints.

I don't expect that it does anything for RA.. but for the bone on bone stuff ... maybe/?  a little help?

Thanks for taking a moment to reply.
I take it daily (NatureMade TripleFlex to be precise).  I've found a big difference in my back pain if I stop taking it.  Definitely worth a try.I also take this,and have found that it really helps me with my osteo arthritis in my knee... I say give it a try :)

 

This may seem strange but maybe 4-6 oz of dark red wine like a merlot once or twice a day. May be a plecebo effect but seems to work for me. Anyway, here's some reading to take up you time and mind space.

 

LEV

 

Two popular supplements taken by millions of people around the world to combat joint pain, do not work, finds research published on bmj.com today. The supplements, glucosamine and chondroitin, are either taken on their own or in combination to reduce the pain caused by osteoarthritis in hips and knees.

The researchers, led by Professor Peter Jüni at the University of Bern in Switzerland, argue that given these supplements are not dangerous "we see no harm in having patients continue these preparations as long as they perceive a benefit and cover the cost of treatment themselves."

However, they add: "Health authorities and health insurers should not cover the costs for these preparations, and new prescriptions to patients who have not received treatment should be discouraged."

Osteoarthritis of the hip or knee is a chronic condition which is mainly treated with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs but these can cause stomach and heart problems, especially if used long-term. Treatments that not only reduce pain but slow the progression of the disease would be desirable, say the authors.

In the last decade, GPs and rheumatologists have increasingly prescribed glucosamine and chondroitin to their patients. And many individuals around the world have purchased them over the counter. In 2008 global sales of glucosamine supplements reached almost bn, which represents an increase of about 60% since 2003.

The authors say that results from existing trials about the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin are conflicting. A large scale review of studies was therefore needed to determine whether or not the supplements work.

Professor Jüni and colleagues analysed the results of 10 published trials involving 3,803 patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis. They assessed changes in levels of pain after patients took glucosamine, chondroitin, or their combination with placebo or head to head.

They found no clinically relevant effect of chondroitin, glucosamine, or their combination on perceived joint pain or on joint space narrowing.

Despite this finding, some patients are convinced that these preparations are beneficial, say the authors. They suggest this might be because of the natural course of osteoarthritis or the placebo effect.

"Compared with placebo, glucosamine, chondroitin, and their combination do not reduce joint pain or have an impact on narrowing of joint space. Health authorities and health insurers should be discouraged from funding glucosamine and chondroitin treatment," they conclude.

Source: BMJ-British Medical Journal

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