2751 arthritis

I have been taking Glucosamine for many years, it was recomended by a friend who had found it was very helpful. I now take a Chondroitin Glucosamine complex as well as cod liver oil, which helps me use less of the stronger medications I am perscribed. By trial and error the best dose for me is 1000mg Glucosamine and 800mg Chondroitin. I have not noticed any difference whether I use tablets or liquid but tablets are much better in warm weather as the oil can go off. When I have run out it takes a few days for their effect to wear off before but they do make a noticable difference to the pain I get in my hands, hips and knees.

Yes the weather does affect me and in warmer weather I am generally much better. Therefore, Italy is an ideal place to be and I can't wait to get back in April. Janet

I too have been using a Chondroitin Glucosamine complex and have found I don't even need it in the warm weather in Italy - the UK is still too damp to give it up altogether. Buy the strongest Holland and Barrett have to offer but its not as strong as yours Janet - do you get it on line and can you get it in Italy?

I use the Glosamine/chondroitin pills - recommended to me by my Chiropracter [dodgy knees] - most effective.

Thank you all for your advice - I really appreciate it. I will now look at ordering some soon as possible. Cant wait for spring to come and the weather to warm up - its been a long and bitter winter here in Piemonte - many mornings its been about -5/-8°. Its a different cold from the British one (which is damper) its a cold that penetrates right through your bones!
Thanks again
Karen

Fiona I use to buy on line but now I have the dose levels correct for me, I have found that Holland and Barret is as cheap as anywhere, especialy when they have their special offers. I just take two of their complex tablet each day. I have also found that taking them at night seems to derive the best results.

Hi again
Just to say that looking at different sites I came across one which seems to be really economical. The reason I looked it up was because its based in my homeland (Guernsey, Channel Islands), and it piqued my curiosity. The prices seem to be good - so if you want to take a look then try Healthspan.co.uk
Ciao
Karen

[QUOTE=Karen]Hi
I was just wondering if anyone has any info on the supplement "Glucosamine". I've just been trawling through google and there are literally just hundreds of sites and I'm really really baffled by all the different views and sales-talk etc. I have osteoarthritis in my hands and I'd much rather take something like this than conventional painkillers. I already take Cod Liver Oil capsules religously, and they help with the stiffness. Also if anyone does take it - the big 64,000 dollar question is .....tablet or liquid form ? Any advice very gratefully received.
Karen
PS: does anyone have any views on weather - I mean is this sort of thing affected by cold weather or maybe improves by living in a warmer climate (just checking - maybe I can get my other half to move from chilly Piemonte to somewhere a bit hotter :) )[/QUOTE]

Humidity/dampness seems to have more impact on arthritis than hot or cold climate. The more dampness/humidity there is about the more acute the arthritis seems to be.

[QUOTE=Karen]Hi again
Just to say that looking at different sites I came across one which seems to be really economical. The reason I looked it up was because its based in my homeland (Guernsey, Channel Islands), and it piqued my curiosity. The prices seem to be good - so if you want to take a look then try Healthspan.co.uk
Ciao
Karen[/QUOTE]

Used to work at the Old Government House Hotel in St. Peter Port. How are things on the island?

Goodness me Sano
It really is a small world isn't it ! I can't believe you know Guernsey - I've got so used to all the italians pulling a face and then saying "where is?". I even carry a little map so that now all my students know exactly where it is. Well I dont know when you were last there, but its changed an awful lot and not particularly for the best. (Hence our decision to move back here.) But as with everyone I'm sure - your birthplace always holds a special place in your heart.
The OGH Hotel is still going strong. The island is now a strong financial centre and full of banks due to its independent laws and government. Bit like a mini Monte Carlo I think! But you're right about the dampness - the islands are much damper than here.
Ciao
Karen

My mum has artritus and has been taking cider vinegar with clear honey every morning for the last year, which has made an incredible difference. She's also much better when we are in Italy, more mobile, not discomfort or pain and she thinks its because the atmosphere is drier.

Hope this helps

Pam

Thanks Pam
I must admit - I haven't come across this combination on any of the arthritis sites - can I ask a daft question ? (my husband would say - why change the habit of a lifetime :rolleyes: How exactly does she take it - I mean warmed up or just a spoon of cold vinegar with a bit of honey in - i'm intrigued ! Another odd one I read was someone selling tubs of Emu Oil to rub in the skin. Not sure about that - bit smelly me thinks !
Karen

Hi Karen, not such a daft question. She takes 1 teaspoon of runny, pure honey with a desertspoon of cider vinegar mixed together (cold). This remedy came from another friend of mine who has arthritus in his neck, in turn he had read about an ex nurse who had become severely affected and had done lots of research. If I remember rightly, the combination helps to break down calcification on the bones and stop more building up. He also gave mum a list of foods that are not good for the condition. All I can remember are peas, tomatoes, shellfish, strawberries and loads more, plus a list of things to eat. If you are interested send me an email and I'll put you in touch with him.

Can't stress enough how much its helped mum and she's 77! Like a spring chicken now.

The ideal dose of gluc sulphate is 750mg x 2 a day for 1 month reduce to 1 a day as a maintenance dose...you should notice a difference in 12 weeks if its going to work for you.
EPA+DHA are the active ingredients in fish and borage / Flax oil ( if you are a veggie) that works as natural antiinflammatory. You should have at least 180mg EPA and 120mg DHA daily...cheaper tablets are always low in the active ingredients so be aware!
One note of caution is EPA thins your blood so not a good idea to take if you are on anticoagulants such as warfarin or heparin
finaly a natural anti inflammatory is devils claw extract

Scruffythe dog thanks and Pam thanks again!,
I will get my daughter to bring me over a bottle of cider vinegar next time she comes. I think it would be very hard to find here - also because we can't even find cider. Amazing if you think that in the nearby area of Pinerolo/Cavour, there are huge apple orchards and a big festival which goes on for about a week called TuttoMele. They make juice, fritters and create wonderful menus with all the apples. ( oh dear - I always end up talking about food..... :D )
Karen
OOPS apologies - I just read that TuttoMele has reintroduced cider, there was an article on the Piemontenews site.

Osteo-Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis have different causes and in the main require different approaches.

Osteo Arthritis is due to aging for the most part, and weather is a definite factor. However, Rheumatoid Arthritis is caused by inflammation of the joints, and weather has little or nothing to do with it. But, diet has.

First see a doctor and have him perform specific tests to decide which one is the problem. Only then look for alternative remedies.

I was diagnosed with the more critical Rheumatoid Arthritis, and the tests (RA factor and settling test) all confirmed the problem. The doctor wanted me to go on low dose chemo for the rest of my life, or take Malaria medication, which could distroy the Retina. Not very good choices.

I decided to use natural remedies instead, with great success. But formost, I went on an elimination diet, eating only fruit and vegetables, raw or just shortly cooked, for about two weeks. This removed most of the ugly pain. Then I started to take:
1) Complex dose of Glucosamine 300mg, Chondroitin 300mg and MSM 200mg
2)Also, I take about 1000mg of deep-sea fish oil for omega - 3 essential fatty acid
3) In addition, I take 500mg of Calcium with 200 I.U. of vitamin D, to help absorb the calcium.
4) Also, small doses of Vtamin E, Selenium and Zinc are helpful.

I bought, at the time, 8 books about Arthritis, read them all, and applied my usual test. When two or more authors agreed on a course of action I went with it. Any contradictions were eliminated from consideration.

I am happy to say, for more than six months I have been without the ugly pain associated with this problem.

As far as Osteo-Arthritis is concerned, a good fruit and vegetable diet will not hurt, also rest your joints, because the cause is the wearing out of them.
Light exercise is OK, but running and fast walking is not. Warm pool exercises are extremely beneficial. Also take Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM to, if not rebuild, protect the joints from further rapid deterioration.

Hi,
New to the forum----today infact but already worth it all just to read the interesting comments about athritis.
Like you Pam, my Mum is also suffering badly from athritis and she is the same age too.
Anyone who would like to put me in touch with someone who could offer alternative remedies, advice would be more than welcome.
Thanking everyone from the bottom of my heart.
Mo

I've just had a friend with me who does Reiki - and of course, did some on Mum. The results were outstanding, if you want to know more, send me a pm - but for Mum, she has made an incredible difference.

Pam,and everyone here. I have read the replies and the article also,and it is very good information to know. I have osteoarthritis and i drink a Apple Cider Vinegar Cocktail each day and take a Garlic Capsule with it and my Omrega 3 acids too. I was told that the Apple Cider Vinegar needs to have the Mother in it or it is not the real Vinegar. That is the settement that settles at the bottom of the Vinegar which is the Mother of Vinegar. This has really helped me a great deal. everyone else's remedies are wonderful information too.
Thanks to everyone here.

Friend, Claire.

here's 2 sites that may be helpful:
[url]www.healthspan.co.uk[/url]

[url]www.hollandandbarrett.com/[/url]

My husband has ankolysing spondelitis - an arcane type of arthritis and the apple cider vinegar was also suggested to him by a medical doctor who specializes in nutrition. My husband takes ibuprofen when it's bad or before he plays tennis but it must be taken with food. If he doesn't do some sort of exercise, it gets worse.
For hands, I would suggest squeezing a soft ball - don't let them get stiff. even though it seems to hurt at first, working them gently will help keep them in shape. typing on the computer unfortunately doesn't help.
For knees, learning to strengthen the muscles that surround the kneecap can help keep the knee strong.
francisM seems to have good advice and experience as do the others who responded.
being in constant pain is no fun.
sarah

[url]http://www.simplysupplements.co.uk[/url] Might be useful to you.

I use them for all my Glucosamine needs! Free delivery aswell.

I'm going to have to try the cider vinegar and honey. Been doing 1200mg of Omega3 fish oil capsules and it has taken me off of 'daily' ibuprofen, I feel like I died and went to heaven! No morning pain unless there's a major weather front moving thru.