The FastDay Forum

Izzy, I think you got it all wrong.
First of all, I would never, ever, advise anybody to RELY on supplements. The word says it itself, they work supplementary to the orthodox medication, not on their own.
Secondly, glucosamine on its own won't do anything. Or it will do few things. To my knowledge, NHS prescribed the sulphate, which is not the "good" one. Glucosamine Hcl needs the chondroitine sulphate plus either vit C or collagen or both in order to it its full job.
There are plenty of studies which prove that, I wish I was good in finding them and paste them here.

Mind you, NONE of these supplements are prescribed here in Greece and they are 3Xmore expensive than in the UK. But when I needed them, I;d rather not eat than not have the money for them.

IMO, and after being able to live a life with less pain, it is worth for everybody with joints/bones/muscle pain to give supplements like the one I took a try. I would do ANYTHING for less pain and stiffness, taking a capsule is almost nothing...

I've had it, and it's miserable.

For me personally, it was definitely inflammation, and I must avoid gluten and dairy. If I get lax, the old symptoms (including the sciatica) kick in, and yes, it's just awful. So if I have to avoid two food choices to feel better, I just do it.

Everyone's different. For me, avoiding gluten and dairy have made a world of difference.

Well of course I got it wrong. I disagreed with you, I was bound to be wrong.

I don't get it. I think you misunderstood what I said.

Julie, I really sympathise with you, I am sitting here with my sciatic nerve driving me crazy but compared to what you are going through this is a walk in the park, which reminds me, when it stops raining I am off for a good walk.

I can offer you nothing in the way of a cure, hey, wouldn't it be great if I could? But, the thing is, I agree with the others, see an expert, SOON! I find heat is lovely, it does nothing for the pain but it is so comforting that I relax and that can help me deal with the pain, so, with that in mind I'm off back to bed for an hour with the electric blanket on full, bliss.

Do take good care of yourself, I know that you are your husbands carer and that in itself is very stressful and hard work so be kind to yourself, big, but gentle hug on it's way................ did you get it? Good!

Ballerina x

My sympathy to you too. I have seen my father suffering with it. He slept kneeling backwards on a high backed lounge chair. For some reason that was the only semi comfortable position he could find.
I see this post started a few days ago. How are you now? I hope you are feeling a bit better.

I'm better, but feel the occasional twinge that's telling me its going to spasm if I don't do anything. So I try to do some squats and other gentle exercises to stretch the buttock out. It hasn't progresses into further spasms so far. I think there is a pilates class nearby, I will ask the doc & physio if its suitable. If not there is a Tia Chi exercise class just over the road that may be right for me.

I went to an ostheopath for sciatica, he worked miracles and showed me some stretches to do at home, since seeing him a few times I haven't had any sciatica problems for over a year, I used to be in pain every month or two before. Hope you can find someone to help quickly, sciatic pain is horrible!

We posted at the same time, glad to read you are feeling better!!

About twenty years ago I had a tumour removed from my spinal column. Made a good recovery since then but have been left with some nerve damage but it is mostly manageable and I am pain free. Before the op I lived in excruciating pain for years and the best thing I found to help me deal with it was using the McKenzie method. He is a Scottish doctor who went to new Zealand and specialised in back pain management and he has written some excellent books on his methods. You can also find him on the net. His advice and methods are excellent and I swear by him. Loads of advice on how to strengthen safely and avoid future episodes. Well worth a look.

just googled the McKenzie method and found that robin McKenzie passed away in May of this year. Also, I always thought he was a Scot, but he was a native New Zealander. So Scots didn't invent every good thing then?! With a name like that there's Scots blood in there somewhere!

No, no, noooooooooo!!!
If your doctor told you to NOT exercise then you have to listen to that advice. Even if a member of this forum were a doctor, they don't have a full image of your condition in order to give you proper advice.

The ONLY sensible thing that you could do is ask your doctor if (s)he would accept to work together with a personal trainer and give them exact directions of what you can and cannot do.

If you feel that your joints are stiff, you could take a supplement. Collagen with glucosamine (others suggest the sulphate, I have seen much difference with the Hcl one) and chondroitine sulphate will help a lot with stiffness and joint aches.

Sorry to hear about this.

jUst to add to TMls suggestion...... this is ONLY A SUGGESTION.....I have found forever living products "freedom" to be an excellent way of taking glucosamine.

I have trouble with my knees and it keeps them fare bit freeer.

It is n't a cheap product but it is high quality and I take it.

I do need to riterate that I'm not a doctor and I think you need to work with your doc in what ever avenues you consider.

Julie, quick note regarding pilates. Before you start, if you decide to, make sure you find out a bit about your instructor. There seem to be a lot of them who don't know what they are doing, they are gym teachers or similar and they somehow end up in pilates classes.
This might be OK for 100% healthy people (although a friend told me that someone was seriously injured at her gym) but fir those of us who have to deal with joint, bone and muscle trouble it can be threatening.