[Stacy2012]

It has been suggested to me to take glucosamine and chondroitin for the knee problems I am having.

I thought I would ask MrsD or anyone here if they have any opinions on these supplements in relation to pn? I do not want to take anything that would make my pn worse.

[mrsD]

I am not a fan of glucosamine products. They just don't work for me.

One thing to try for arthritis is SAMe. I found that helped me greatly, but slowly, for my bad right knee. Start at the lowest dose when you begin if you decide to try it. And also get the Brand name version...by Naturemade. Its price has come down quite a bit now. I worked my way up dose-wise over 3 months to 600mg a day taken in the morning. But this product can cause
tension/anxiety if the dose is too strong for you. I didn't find it
much help for nerve pain however. It is good for osteoarthritis though.

[Stacy2012]

thanks MrsD!!!!

I will pick that up at walgreens today. What dose should I start out at?

[Stacy2012]

MrsD I read that naturmade includes talc as an ingredient what do think about that?

Also, do you have an stomach problems with this? That seems to be the biggest side affect people talk about severe stomach cramps.

[Kitt]

Originally Posted by mrsD

I am not a fan of glucosamine products. They just don't work for me.

Same here. Thanks.

[mrsD]

Smallest dose of SAMe is 200mg a day. Take first thing in the morning and on an empty stomach as it is "energizing".

SAMe was difficult to make into an oral form. That is why I recommend only NatureMade. We don't really have a choice of additives for this product....as when it came here it was injection only, from Europe..mostly Italy used it as injectable at the doctor's office.

SAMe is part of the methylation cycle. People who are poor methylators would do well on SAMe, because the methyl group is already on the homocysteine--to be delivered to the liver where it helps with drug metabolism and toxins, to the joints, and to the brain for neurotransmitter synthesis.

Some people get too hyped up on SAMe and don't do well with it. But for others it is really a neat nifty enabler.
I remember when I first bought it over 10 yrs ago... My son had lost all his HBAs I had packed for first semester college. I stayed upNorth, and his Dad took him and moved him in. He put the bag down in the hall for just a few minutes and someone stole it. So when I got back home I sped over to WalMart to replace his shower gear, and misc. stuff, and there was a sale on the mucho expensive SAMe... I could afford to try it finally. Back then it was over $1.50 a tablet!

I was working several contingent jobs, all with different computer systems, going thru menopause, and really totally stressed out with it all. The SAMe rather saved me! And my knee which the MRI said I had synovitis, was pretty inflamed.
I credit avoiding a knee replacement, and my left knee never joined the predicted 5yr flare up the doctor said would happen.
I kept on SAMe until about 2 yrs ago, thinking I'd done what could be done, and wanted the money for other supplements.

I can still get a flare of pain now, and take the SAMe for about 2 weeks, and it goes away. But I rarely use it anymore.

Take only 200mg a day for a month. You'll discover if you can handle it. If it is too energizing, take 200mg every other day for that month. If you still cannot tolerate it...then you don't need it.

[Stacy2012]

Thanks mrsD!

I really want to try this, but I am terrified of the stomach issues. I read over 100 reviews, most all great but the 20% that were negative all focused on the stomach issues, a few even went to the hospital. Some talk about it causing ulcers, yikes.

I already have acid reflux issues, I still can't take Rlipoic acid so this is scary to me.

One review said its the manitol?? (may have spelled wrong or got wrong dont remember now) They said look for it without that in it. Have you heard of that?

[mrsD]

SAMe is enteric coated and does not even dissolve in the stomach.

The most common stomach thing may be a little nausea, but even then it is not really a common side effect.
Really I know many people who use or used SAMe and the most often complained about issue is the hyper initial effects, which wear off in a few days. Depending on your neurotransmitter status, the hyper thing may or may not happen.

I have a hiatal hernia and a birth defect (twisted stomach and esophagus) and have borderline gall bladder issues, and never had a GI problem with SAMe.

For 10 YEARS!

Everyone is different however. Omega-3's cured my GERD in 3 months. I used to take Prilosec when it first came out. I don't need it anymore!
There are many causes of GERD.

I don't see SAMe causing ulcers... it doesn't even dissolve there.
That person could have had an ulcer already forming, who knows? Internet reports should be taken guardedly.

However, Stacy, if you are the highly anxious type, reactive, etc, SAMe would probably make you more anxious.