Glucosamine and Chondroitin instead of Meloxicam

[flowr]

Would a like to try Glucosamine & Chondroitin for my mild hip arthritis. Anyone have good results?
Dr prescribed Meloxicam 15mg but am hesitant to start taking it.

[TheLightSeeker]

My drummer is... Hippocrates!

“Let Food be thy Medicine and Medicine be thy Food.”

“Wherever the art of Medicine is loved, there is also a love of Humanity.”

“As to diseases, make a habit of two things — to help, or at least, to do no harm.”

“Primum non nocerum. (First do no harm)”

“The natural healing force within each of us is the greatest force in getting well.”

All the best for the Holiday Season!
Niko

[Tuckamore]

Thanks Niko,

Your information and opinion is always welcome and helpful. We all dance to the beat of our own drummer!

Best Regards,
~Tuck

[TheLightSeeker]

The Council for Responsible Nutrition has a report titled:
Glucosamine, Chondroitin and Joint Health.

A very low carb diet, specially avoiding simple carbs from refined grains,
sugary foods, sodas etc, supplementing daily with Glucosamine, Chondroitin
MSM powder and Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar have made a dramatic difference for my wife.
She also takes pastured gelatin powder daily and she swears by it!

Another thing that I believe helped probably has to do with the fact we never use any cooking oils which are pro-inflammatory.
We use only coconut oil in cooking which does not degrade in high heat and cause free radicals. Coconut oil  also has great medicinal properties, like antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial and antiparasitic.

I'm afraid my opinion on medications might be considered biased, as I don't
take any meds, not even aspirin, lol!

My forte is in preventive and alternative medicine, which has helped my family stay fairly healthy & medication free so far.

Best wishes!
Niko

[Tuckamore]

Hello Flowr,

I understand your hesitancy to take Meloxicam. Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with analgesic and fever reducer effects. It's often used in Arthritic and inflammatory conditions. However any NSAID comes with concerns - including OTC NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen.

Several years ago Glucosamine & Chondroitin was popular with medical providers. It was hailed as the new and one of the best "treatments" for restoring cartilage and reducing pain. I know an abundance of ppl that initially took the supplement - and very few that take it today.

There are still ppl that take glucosamine and chondroitin, alone or together, for osteoarthritis. Some people believe this helps. But an analysis of studies looking at glucosamine or chondroitin for osteoarthritis in the hip or knee did not show that these supplements slow joint destruction or relieve pain. It's kind of gone by the wayside. It was found to not be the wonder supplement it was once thought to be.  Multiple studies revealed that they will not help you more than a placebo.

However there are still ppl that swear they help them. Is that because they believe they will - or because in that particular person it is effective? Research would say it's the placebo effect. I say if you believe it works - it does.

There is no serious harm in taking the supplement. However remember that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate dietary supplements in the same way it regulates medicines. You never know exactly what you are getting when you take one.

Last but not least discuss this option with your medical provider. If he/she is agreeable and you really want to try this supplement before you begin  Meloxicam it's my guess he'll agree. Our health care - including medications and procedures should always be our choice. We only have one body and no one cares about it as much as we do.

I have one caution - be sure you are controlling the destruction that arthritis can do to our joints - as best you can. Once a joint is destroyed we have few choices.

I wish you the best - and hope you'll let us know how you are doing. I'll look forward to hearing from you again and hope you'll be active in our community.

Take Care,
~Tuck