Anyone using Osteo Bi Flex?

[NY65912]

I started Osteo Bi Flex to try to do something positive for joint pain from arthritis. I can't say that it has made any difference.

Anyone out there use this stuff? The reviews were glowing.

TIA

[IROC]

There is no definitive evidence that glucosamine or chondroitin do anything at all to help with arthritis. They may reduce the load on your knees by making your wallet lighter, but that's about it. One discussion:

Does Glucosamine Really Work? « Science-Based Medicine

I have knee arthritis (and now suspect arthritis in a hip) so I would be all over these things if they really worked.

[NY65912]

I was suspect as well. I figured what the heck, give it a try.

[LeeH]

I take glucosamine. I was having knee issues that were affecting my quality of life. Had these issues off and on for a couple of years. Couldn't run, couldn't hike.

My wife brought home a bottle of glucosamine, opened it, said, "There... we can't take it back so you might as well try it." I thought it was a complete waste of time and money. I expected nothing.

At the end of the bottle (90 days), I was surprised and had to admit that I had seen some improvement. Decided to try one more bottle. By the end of that bottle the pain and mobility issues were probably 80% gone. That was years ago. I still take it and have virtually no knee issues at all. They can get a little tight after running 3 miles, but nothing like what I had going on before. Hiking down hill? No problem.

Was it the glucosamine or did an issue I'd had for 2-3 years suddenly clear itself up? Honestly don't know. If you do take it, commit to 6 months or more before giving up.

[GH85Carrera]

I started taking glucosamine and chondroitin when my hip started hurting. After spending a LOT of money for a year on the pills the pain just got worse. The only fix was a new hip and that was not cheap but it indeed was a cure. The really think the glucosamine or chondroitin is pure placebo. I don't think it hurts anything except your bank account and it only helps the bottom line of the pill sellers.

[74-911]

Originally Posted by LeeH

I take glucosamine. I was having knee issues that were affecting my quality of life. Had these issues off and on for a couple of years. Couldn't run, couldn't hike. .......
Was it the glucosamine or did an issue I'd had for 2-3 years suddenly clear itself up? Honestly don't know. If you do take it, commit to 6 months or more before giving up.

My experience exactly. Knees ached, occasionally ballooned up, particularly if I kneeled down on them. On the advice of a chiropractor I gave them a try. Have been taking it for nearly 20 years (1 per day now) and no issues at all with knees. Have several friends who gave it a try per my experience and all say it definitely helped. Placebo effect ?? Who knows but it worked for me.

[Hugh R]

Started using the G&C six months ago, pharmacist said it takes several months to start working on about 1/2 of those who try it. I had slight knee pain, now none.

[fintstone]

As the testimony here indicates, It generally does not help with the inflammation of osteoarthritis or a damaged joint. It seems to he helpful when cartilage is a bit thin in the knees, allowing some minor bone on bone contact.

I have used it off and on for at least 10 years for my knees with reasonable success.

[stomachmonkey]

Used to do just Glucosamine and Chondroitin and it helped me. Added MSM to the mix and works even better.

As noted

1) Does not work for everyone
2) Takes time to start seeing results, need to give it at least a month. It's a gradual thing.

I take the stuff religiously, have been for years.

Occasionally I'll forget to stock up and will run out.

If I'm off it for as little as a week I start feeling the stiffness, crepitus and general discomfort return.

I use Triple Flex from Nature Made. Get it at Costco.

[kach22i]

joint pain from arthritis.

For regular joint pain, it has helped me to go on a low gluten diet and take saw palmetto twice a day.

Burbon taken orally can help too.

[NY65912]

Bourbon, now that's my cure all for sure. This past Sat my knees, back were aching terribly.

2 fingers of Woodford and all was well.

[dan88911]

The only thing that helps my knee pain (arthritis related) due to my age and years of jogging/running and martial arts.
Has been low impact exercise (biking and eliptical machine) and more resistance training.
I still jog once week nothing else sames to hit the cardio high for me. Hope to get in some swimming.

[pavulon]

I believe formal studies have shown no improvements associated with taking Glucosamine.

[74-911]

Originally Posted by pavulon

I believe formal studies have shown no improvements associated with taking Glucosamine.

Formal studies have also shown eggs, coffee, etc. etc. are bad for you. No wait, they are good for you? or ????

"They" can formal study it to death. From my personal experience it worked wonders for my knees.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by pavulon

I believe formal studies have shown no improvements associated with taking Glucosamine.

It won't cure arthritis. It does indeed help many others.

[kach22i]

12.5 million dollars of our tax money went into this study:

Questions and Answers: NIH Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial Primary Study
Questions and Answers: NIH Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial Primary Study | NCCAM

I like the Wikipedia entry on Saw Palmetto (blood thinning aspect), but this is a government source (below):

Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto: MedlinePlus Supplements

This is what I was talking about.

http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/gluten-and-arthritis#3

Celiac Disease Mimics Arthritis

Symptoms of arthritis, which include joint pain and stiffness, are also symptoms of the immune response caused by celiac disease. People who are gluten sensitive or who have been diagnosed with celiac disease may experience joint pain, swelling, and stiffness if they eat foods with gluten.

These similar symptoms make celiac disease difficult to diagnose. In fact, it’s commonly confused with other conditions, such as arthritis.

As such, if you tell your doctor you’re experiencing sore joints, they first may look to your bones, not your intestines.

I have additional information on the above topic, see below for wheat and "Roundup" connections.

http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/2012/01/a-wheat-farmer-weighs-in-on-wheat-belly/

http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/real-reason-for-toxic-wheat-its-not-gluten/


Not to hi-jack the thread, but self diagnosis is a complex thing, and if it's outside what the pharmaceutical companies allow doctors to share with their patients, then you are really on your own anyway.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by kach22i

Questions and Answers: NIH Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial Primary Study
Questions and Answers: NIH Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial Primary Study | NCCAM

Interesting study.

Seems to validate some things I've heard, that glucosomine/chondroiton is effective for people with moderate to severe pain and does not do much for those with minor pain.

It's something they find odd, kinda like water will put out a large fire but not a small one.

[JavaBrewer]

I am 53 and arthritis is taking me over in lower back, knees, shoulders, and hands. I'm gonna go with booze. Will kill me sooner but I won't be in pain and can function during the day.

[IROC]

Originally Posted by kach22i

Not to hi-jack the thread, but self diagnosis is a complex thing, and if it's outside what the pharmaceutical companies allow doctors to share with their patients, then you are really on your own anyway.

My knee arthritis was diagnosed by an orthopedic surgeon. When I asked about glucosamine and other treatments, he actually laughed out loud and told me not to waste my money. He drew me a chart of treatments (exercise, etc.) that ended with "total knee replacement".

I have looked into this a lot (arthritis treatment) and it seems to me that unless you're the kind of person that just wants to try stuff for the heck of it (and potentially waste a lot of money), there simply is no evidence that any of the snake oils on the market provide effective treatment.

I'm going with booze also.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by IROC

...diagnosed by an orthopedic surgeon..........."total knee replacement".

That's what he does for a living, he's a "cutter" he replaces knees.

The other doctors are "druggers", their solutions are mandated to follow a script developed by the drug companies.

If you take your car to a shop which does mostly transmissions, they might be prone to saying you need a rebuilt transmission. Same for the engine shop, the solution is always rebuild the engine.

These are all business (including doctors), they take your money in exchange for providing a service.

Often a little selling is in order, pain or loss of transportation are strong motivators.

Diet is the key, and you can quote me.

I'm not selling a thing, no money for motivation either.

Get off the gluten, it's poison to your body in more than one way.

If you have a hammer in your hand, everything tends to looks like a nail to you.