Supplements for arthritis

clairev

My husband has been diagnosed with arthritis of the spine and going to get him onto glucosamine/condroitin supplements. Could anyone out there please advise where to buy etc. Many thanks

Pink.

Hi Claire,

You should get more help with this on the Health board so I've moved your thread across.

Pink

Unity

I bought my glucosamine from The Health Rack as it was cheaper than Holland and Barratt, but try looking on www.iherb.com as they are really cheap - even with the postage from the U.S.A., they beat a lot of the U.K. sites.

I have the same problem and have had a lot less pain since using glucosamine and 1000mg fish oil. I also bought a tub of Pernaton to apply to the skin, containing green-lipped mussel and this also helps.

In terms of medication the best help I've had is from Durogesic Patches applied every 72 hours, as unlike oral medication they don't cause stomach problems. They are morphine based though so only given for really long term excessive pain (in my case over 30 years of it).

Good luck and I hope you find something that helps.

favorito

try www.simplysupplements.co.uk - they do BOGOF and free delivery. Very good value.

feather_2

I'm not sure if it applies to all GPs, but mine certainly prescribes them for arthritic conditions. Depending on the quantity your doctor is happy to prescribe as 'one item' (if you pay for prescriptions) it should be cheaper than buying over the counter.

flossy_splodge

I have to say that I find Glucosamine with Chondroitin absolutely first rate and know when I've been forgetting to take it!
As to price, if you buy when it is in Holland and Barretts better than half price sale I think the value is hard to beat. Don't forget to check amount of active ingredients when you compare prices, rather than just the price alone - there are a lot of products that at first glance look really cheap but you need to take more of them so they can work out dearer in the long run.
Good luck.:D

frivolous_fay

I've been taking H&B's humongous 1000mg glucosamine tablets - can anyone suggest an alternative that isn't quite so much like a horse pill?

blue-kat

try http://www.naturesbest.co.uk/
good quality stuff, quick del too.

you can phone the nutrition helpline and ask for a few to sample to check they suit you. I don't like horse tablets either, sometimes it's easier to take 2 lower dose tabs than 1 huge one.
all their tabs are coated which makes them easier to get down

Lynsey76

Lots of people use Rosehip now as well, capsules or syrup. Litozin has had rave reviews from my customers in Boots, although expensive at £19.99 they buy it on 3 for 2.

Cute_'n'_Quirky

The Glucosamine is available via all GP's at 1500mg per day. It was placed on the prescribing list in April this year.

The Chondroitin has been proven by research to be a waste of money. My Rheumatologist originally told me this then the information was online following the EULAR conference last year. This is how Glucosamine came to be on the prescribing list this year.

Ted_Hutchinson

Cute_n_Quirky wrote: »

The Glucosamine is available via all GP's at 1500mg per day. It was placed on the prescribing list in April this year.

The Chondroitin has been proven by research to be a waste of money. My Rheumatologist originally told me this then the information was online following the EULAR conference last year. This is how Glucosamine came to be on the prescribing list this year.

While all GP's MAY be able to prescribe Glucosamine the evidence, despite all the research that has been done is still equivocal. Because there are almost as many research papers showing it may be only as good as placebo as showing it is marginally better than placebo some practices choose not to prescribe it.

Be aware that if you pay for your prescriptions it will be cheaper off prescription.

Also be aware that the cost to your health authority, (because they don't shop around for the cheapest online providers like keen MSE folk) will be considerably greater the average cost per prescription of glucosamine sulphate is £9.70. So the same stuff you would pay £1.50 -£2 per month or £15-25 a year depending on where you buy will cost the NHS nearly £120

Where glucosamine is indicated, the recommended dose is 1,500mg daily. (It needs to be taken for about one month to exert its full effect). If patients wish to try glucosamine, they should be encouraged to purchase the product “over the counter”.

The best evidence for Glucosamine is for it's use Osteoarthritis of the Knee not
spinal arthritis.

There is a $5 discount code in the Referrals board if you are new to IHERB.