Anyone take Glucosamine & Chondroitin?

[Liz]

If so, what is your opinion of it and does it live up to its hype?

Thanks!

[iluvorlando]

My FIL does, said it really helped his hands, which he was having some serious pain with. Took about a month for it to kick in though. DH and puppy dog are trying it now. DH for some shoulder pain and the dog because the vet said it would help with his hip dysplasia.

[nativetxn]

My sister takes it for her knees and says it helps a lot. It took at least two months before she could see a signifant difference in her pain, though.

[snuggles]

My dh took it for his knees and he says he didnt think it helped much. I know he took it for 2 or more months. I guess its like everything, helps some, doesn't help others.

[ucralum]

I have seen a huge difference in the knee that was bothering me. Also, I take it to ward off future problems, since it's supposed to help maintain healthy joints. When I told my doctor I was taking it, she said she recommends that people try it and see if it works for them. BTW, the first time I tried it, I quit--it was a three-times-a-day formulation, and I was always forgetting to take it in the middle of the day. I found a twice-a-day type at Costco, and as I said I've been very pleased with the results.

[iluvorlando]

Right...don't forget if you do try it to look at the dosing schedule and try to get the best value and fit for you. I think my FIL takes the chewables twice a day.

[piratesmate]

I've had doctors laugh at me for taking it, but my orthopedic surgeon recommended it for my knee. (I had all of the cartilage removed 30+ years ago & it's bone-on-bone.)

I wasn't sure at first that it was doing anything because my knee was sooooo bad at the time I started. I stopped after ~2 months & was surprised at how much worse my knee was in about a week or so.

As others have said, be sure to read the dosing instructions. You need to take more the first month or so, but after a while you reduce the amount you need.

Deb

BTW - Around here we've found that Wal-Mart has the best price on it.

[Jenzebelle]

Dh takes it and has noticed a definite improvement in his joint pain - especially his knees and hands.

I have mild arthritis in my hands and just started taking it.

[Dan Murphy]

I take it after being nicely admonished here on the DIS by so many caring DIS'ers, for my knees. :) I also take Vioxx. My knees do seem better, (still sore, but better) but I could only tell if it was the Glucosamine/Chondroitin if I stopped it for a time.