arthritis-glucosamine-glucosamine-sulfate2

Q. After 9 years of incorrect diagnoses, it was finally determined that I suffered from a torn acetabular labrum in my left hip. This deteriorating condition has substantially altered my life. Last year a hip arthoscopy was performed, wherein 50% of the cartelage was removed (the boney surfaces were in excellent condition). The syptoms are somewhat improved (now I can finally sit down), but I still suffer from significant ongoing pain in the joint location. I am wondering how much benefit I can reasonably expect from optimal usage of glucosamine
products, in conjunction with rehabilitation exercises. Does glucosamine actually rebuild cartilage?. If so, how long does it take? Thank you for your excellent web-site!
A. Glucosamine does help rebuild cartilage in osteoarthritis patients, but it is unclear whether it would help in surgically removed cartilage. However, since glucosamine has few side effects, it would be worthwhile to try 1,500 mg per day for three or four months.
Q. I am 34 and have had Ankylosing Spondylitis since I was 19. I am sure you already know that AS is a form of Arthritis that affects the SI joints, spine, and knees mainly. Would I benifit from taking Glucosamine and in what
doses? Do you know of other natural remedies for AS and/or some of the side problems associated with AS like Iritis, etc. I am sure there is nothing to remedy the damaged already caused, like fusion.
A. I am not an expert on SI but I have not come across any studies testing the effectiveness of glucosamine in this condition. You may consider taking more omega-3 oils in the form of cold water fish and fish oil capsules, and doing mild forms of yoga to stretch joints. Restorative yoga poses could be helpful.
Q. I started taking Glucosamine (500mg) Chondroitin (400mg) 2 pills a day for about 10 days now, hoping that it will ease my joint pains after playing tennis. I'm also taking Acupril for my hypertension. I feel like my blood pressure came back high when I started taking GS. Can GS have such side effect?
A. Unlikely. However, the best way to find out is to stop the glucosamine, check your blood pressure, and restart it after a few days and recheck the blood pressure again.
Feb 2001
Q. Are all pharmaceutical companies making glucosamine the same? My daughter tells me to use only Natrol products, but I have trouble finding it and have purchased Schiff Glucosamine 500 plus MSM 500. She says that
chronditin has not been proven yet. What do you think?
A. It's quite likely that most of the glucosamine products on the market by established vitamin and pharmaceutical companies are of good quality control. The studies on chondroitin are still in the early stages and not as convincing yet as are the studies with glucosamine.
Q. Would glucosamine have any effect on a frozen shoulder? I have had physical therapy on my shoulder now for 3 months, although it has improved, it is not back 100%.
A. I doubt glucosamine would help, I think PT and and stretching are your best options.
Q. I have costochondritis in my chest which radiates to my shoulders and neck. I have been taking prescription anti inflamatories for 1 1/2 years now. I am a 37-year-old aerobic instructor. I was thinking about taking glucosamine sulfate. Do you think this (or chondroitin sulfate or both together) will help me?
A. Glucosamine is mostly for osteoarthritis, however a small percentage of people find that it helps with other minor musculoskeletal problems. The chances of glucosamine or chondroitin helping you costochondritis are slim but worth a try.
Q. I am writing to ask a question for my mother, who is diabetic but does not take insulin, controls by diet and excercise, she suffers from osteoarthritis, and wonders if glucosamine, and chondroitin sulphates are safe for her to take with her being a diabetic.
A. Probably. No firm data are yet available regarding glucosamine and blood sugar levels, but it seems for the time being that 1,500 mg of glucosamine and chondroitin should not interfere to any significant degree with blood sugar levels.
Q. My wife, who recently turned 54, has experienced some pain in her joints over the last year or so. She began taking a Glucosamine/chondroitin supplement. Her joint pains went away. However, she also began experiencing menstrual periods again. She feels that, given that she had not had a period for over a year, this is not natural. Since she started having periods again soon after taking the glucosamine/chondroitin, she was concerned that this might have caused the recurrence of her periods. Is this possible? She is also taking estrogen/progesterone. Could there be an interaction between the supplement and the hormones?
A. It's more likely that estrogen/progesterone is menstrual changes and not glucosamine. But the best way to find out is to go off the glucosamine and retry again after a couple of months to see if it caused it. I doubt that glucosamine/chondroitin were responsible.
Q. Is glucosamine sulfate beneficial for the joint pain associated with Lupus? What is considered to be the maximum daily dosage of GS, can it be taken all at once or should it be spread out over the day.
A. I have not come across studies evaluating glucosamine in Lupus. Maximum daily dose of glucosamine is about 3 to 5 gm, although most people do well with 1.5 gm. Studies have been done giving glucosamine all at once and spread out, both ways seem to be effective.
Q. I take Glucosamine sulfate as a supplement, and recently developed an irregular heartbeat. Have you ever heard of any symptom like this being caused by Glucosamine sulfate?
A. I have not, and I would suspect glucosamine is not the cause.
Q. I take glucosamine to maintain my joints. I have been told that taking glucosamine increases cholesterol levels in the blood stream. Can you comment on this, is there evidence that this is true?
A. I haven't come across any studies that showed glucosamine increases cholesterol levels.
Q. I love your web site and have two questions: I am a 22yr old otherwise healthy male who sustained some sort of injury in my sternum while cliff diving (not broken, cartilage/inflammation) for which I was prescribed Naproxen, which helps to some degree. Would glucosamine be useful here?
I eat a lot of shellfish, shrimp especially. Would consumption of the shells provide any significant amount of creatine???
A. Thanks. I doubt if glucosamine would be helpful, it's mostly used for osteoarthritis. Naproxen is a good medicine when used temporarily. Shells don't contain creatine. Creatine is only available made synthetically or through meat, fish, and poultry.
Q. I am taking 500 mg of Glucosamine Chondroitin complex once a day. The arthritis has not improved, but I am hesitant to double the dose because I have hyperglycemia. Are there any contraindications?
A. There are no known contraindications to taking glucosamine in those with hyperglycemia; however, no formal studies have been done. The dose of glucosamine, one or two grams a day, is minimal as a sugar source compared to the amounts of carbohydrates found in the foods we consume.

Q. I have searched the web and cannot find any information as to whether or not glucosamine is safe to take whilst breastfeeding. Please help, I am dying to try the product my knees have taken quite a beating during pregnancy.
A. I am not aware of any research done with glucosamine in regards to pregnancy. There are no indications, based on glucosamine's very low risk and side effect profile, that it would interfere with pregnancy or harm a fetus. However, we won't know for certain until actual studies are done on rodents and humans. Therefore, you may wish to ask your obstetrician whether the benefits would outweigh any minute risk of potential of side effects.