Glucosamine - Chondroitin

[pet slave]

Has anyone used this stuff? Does it really help?

I've been in a lot of pain recently, along with horrible stiffness.

I was doing Yoga for a while, and it really helped loosen me up. But, the "aftermath" of Yoga was killing me. I would be sooo stiff and sore for days afterward.

I admit I just sort of gave up on any form of exercise.

But I know I NEED to exercise for my overall health, so I was wondering about Glucosamine.

Any feedback or pro's and con's, would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks!

[sweetness514]

I used it, a few years ago. It seemed to help with overall aches an pains, but it's not recommended to be taken for long periods of time, even if some naturopaths would say it can be. Some irritate the stomach, I took caps and not as much as the dosage was recommended on the bottle.

Btw, have you tried swimming and walking, they're the best exercises for not feeling too stiff or in pain afterwards.

[Regina Brown]

special shoes?

Concerning walking,does anyone have any special shoes that they use? I find it difficult to walk on any very hard surfaces,such as concrete,asphalt,etc. as it causes my pain to become very bad afterwards and it affects my rib areas to ,seems they get really sore from the exertion for some reason. Would like to try walking moreso if I could find something really helpful to absorb the shock of the walking on my joints,etc.
any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks very much,
Regina

[sweetness514]

Orthotics

They are the best solution. A podiatrist can see where you need most of the alignment and have them made. Before surgery I had a lot of knee/hip/leg/heel pains, and all the doctors told me that the surgery would cure them, being scoliosis the cause, but it wasn't so, my flat feet were the cause and when all the pains were back after surgery my hubby who has orthotics gave me the idea to have them made.

[Cakedec]

Stationary Bike good with hurting joints

Hi Pet Slave and Regina, others for whom walking is difficult.

I get sciatica like pains from walking for more than a few yards, both before and after my surgery, so that is out. I found a stationary bike works well for a workout as it does not stress your hip joints or upper body. During our brief summers in Michigan, I ride a bicycle outside. We got our first snow here today, by the way!!

Deb
age 47
posterior surgery 7/24/06
for S curve T70,L76
30 degrees correction
DON'T WAIT TO GET STRAIGHT!!!

[Karen Ocker]

sciatica post op???

I had sciatica during the healing process(fused to sacrum). I will occasionally get this if I lay/sit on my derriere a certain way because the sciatic nerve passes through it to the legs and pressure on it for a length of time will cause it to ache.

This can also happen with a new exercise with hip streches which stretch the nerve.

This does NOT necessarily mean something went wrong with the surgery.

[pet slave]

Thanks for the replies!

Actually,walking seems to be the only form of exercise that does not bother me.....as much. I'd love to go swimming, but the prices even for the " Y " are outrageous!

I might give the Glucosamine a try. Is there a particular brand you like better?

I don't want to sound like a whiner,but I've been so stiff and sore lately. I'm sure the change in the weather is causing most of it.

What do all of you do to manage the pain and stiffness during weather changes?

I have a fairly high tolerance to pain, so when I start complaining about it, I know it's gotten bad.

I'm taking Aleve (Naproxen) for the pain, it helps some of the time.

Also, I read that if your Scoliosis is always causing pain,it means it might be getting worse. Any truth to that??

I'm looking for a new Dr, the two I saw earlier in the year were of no help at all.

Thanks again!

[sweetness514]

Exrcise, rest and dressing warmly helps in weather changes for me(like putting on many layers of polyester clothing, b/c it is warmer compared to cotton that attracts humidity).

The Glucosamine I tried is from a local brand, it's probably only sold here, in Montreal(Canada). I liked it best b/c it's in capsules, wich is the least disturbing for my stomach, so any type you could get in caps is best.

[bon]

Oooo, thanks for suggesting Aleve, pet slave! I didn't know that was Naproxen, which was the only thing that helped with edometriosis pain before my hysterectomy--I'm gonna go out and get some TODAY!!! I've been up the last two nights with sciatica....thank you, thank you, thank you!

[pet slave]

Bon, You're welcome,you're welcome,you're welcome!!!

I'm glad I could help!!


Aleve (Naproxen) is the only over the counter pain med that helps my back.

Tylenol (Acetaminophen) and Motrin (Ibuprofen) don't even take the edge off.


I'm trying to stay away from prescription meds, I don't like their side effects or their cost.