125-lb or so women in the group: What dosage of Glucosamine/Chondroitin have
you found works for your knee pain?
I'm mid-40s and have had knee problems for a little over a decade, due I
think to bad alignment, resulting I think from being a fairly serious female
runner in my younger years.
Last week one of my knee joints felt like it was coming unfastened during a
softball game. This was after a week where I was doing a lot of hard running
in the outfield with my various teams. I've had this feeling (bone slipping
out of knee joint) before. I am certain that I can easily do serious damage
to my knee if I don't sober up and start taking preventive measures,
including not pushing it as much in my athletic endeavors. (Damn, and I'm
soo fast on the bases. The 20-somethings are envious.)
I have had the characteristic (I think) burning in my knees in the past ten
years after strenuous athletic activity. One-half ibuprofen relieved the
pain.
I figure I've lost cartilage. The studies on Glucosamine/Chondroitin suggest
to me that it isn't at all placebo effect and that, at least for the
short-term, it's a safe treatment and worth a try.
I started with a 1500/1200 milligram(?) dosage of Glucosamine/Chondroitin
yesterday. This is the dose that seems to be used in a lot of clinical
trials. Plus I am now wearing a brace on my right knee (the one that gives
me more trouble). I feel better already. Really. That placebo effect is a
wonderful thing... I realize it's supposed to be eight weeks or so before
improvement might actually be noted.
But surely a 125-lb female doesn't need the same dose as a 200-lb male.
Women, would you please share your experience?
TIA
Karen P - 13 Jun 2005 12:07 GMT
Elle,
you are doing an awful lot of self diangosing. You think you have a
misalignment, you think you have lost cartilege. Get yourself to an
orthopedic and find out what the heck is going on. If you have a
misalignment then glucosamine won't do a thing. But physical therapy with
exercises designed to work on your weaker muscles might. If you have
ligament or tendon damage you could be wearing a brace that puts pressure in
the wrong areas. Find out what is going on and then you can figure out what
to do about it.
Karen
PS: Glucosmine is not sex or weight specific. Effective dose is 1500 mg
> 125-lb or so women in the group: What dosage of Glucosamine/Chondroitin
> have
[quoted text clipped - 38 lines]
>
> TIA
Elle - 13 Jun 2005 15:45 GMT
> PS: Glucosmine is not sex or weight specific. Effective dose is 1500 mg
Do you have a citation for this?
Just because many clinical trials have used this number does not mean a
lower one would not suffice.
Nicole H - 14 Jun 2005 01:59 GMT
Many meds are the same dose for a 125lb woman and a 200lb man. 125 lbs
isn't emaciated. You're a grown woman not a child (dosing can sometimes be
different for children despite weight)
My husband and I have been rx'd the same dosage for many antibiotics, nsaids
and supplements and he weighs 190lbs and I'm 120lbs. In fact, I was taking
50mgs Vioxx and he was only taking 12.5 mg. It depends on how much pain is
involved.
My father who is obese isn't rx'd a higher dose of a nsaid than I am even
those I weigh over 200 lbs less.
I agree with the other poster, you've diagnosed yourself (mis-alignment;
cartilage breakdown and missing; bone slipping out of knee joint) and that's
impossible. An orthopedist who has many years of experience can't even
diagnose you without running tests. You need x-rays and possibly a ct or
mri to see what's really going on. Find an orthopedist. The orthopod will
determine what's going and what treatment is needed if any.
Glucosamine/chondroitin is supposed to be a preventative... it won't regrow
cartilage- it would be a miracle supplement if it did.
You've had this same pain for 10 yrs and 100 mgs of ibuprofen (1 tablet is
200) stops the pain? My 8 yr receives 200 mg ibuprofen when needed... that's
the dosage according to her weight-70 lbs.
Doesn't sound like there's too much of a problem and the situation is hardly
emergent. Hope the doctor takes you seriously. When I've gone to the
orthopod for my knees, I had problems for weeks and not years and even then,
physical therapy was one of the first treatments along w/ibuprofen 800mg 3 x
day. If that worked, there was nothing else to do at the time.... I don't
know if I'd waste my time if 100mg ibuprofen solves the problem... good luck
finding a doctor
> > PS: Glucosmine is not sex or weight specific. Effective dose is 1500 mg
>
> Do you have a citation for this?
>
> Just because many clinical trials have used this number does not mean a
> lower one would not suffice.
debbie m. - 13 Jun 2005 17:36 GMT
Elle,
It would be a good idea to get things checked out with a doctor to see
what is going on.
My doctor told me that 1500mg a day is the standard dosage. Hope this
helps a little.
debbie m.
> 125-lb or so women in the group: What dosage of Glucosamine/Chondroitin have
> you found works for your knee pain?
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>
> TIA
Athena - 13 Jun 2005 22:40 GMT
> Elle,
>
[quoted text clipped - 40 lines]
> >
> > TIA
CaptCook - 14 Jun 2005 15:38 GMT
Has there been any recent information on Chondroitin? Last I heard it
was of questionable value.
Athena - 13 Jun 2005 22:43 GMT
The Arthritis Foundation has a Booklet on Supplements. In the booklet
it talks about different supplements, studies and dosages. They are a
good resource.
Elizabeth
d'huit - 15 Jun 2005 16:58 GMT
> 125-lb or so women in the group: What dosage of Glucosamine/Chondroitin
> have
[quoted text clipped - 38 lines]
>
> TIA
actually, that is the correct dosage for all weights and genders. sounds
like you need to have that knee evaluated, before you do it permanent
injury, since you are so active. the brace might help it feel better, but
it isn't necessarily dealing with the underlying reason. in many cases,
reliance on a knee brace can actually worsen/weaken the knee. there are
proper alignment exercises that can help stabilize your knees. it might be
very wise to see a sports oriented physical therapist to get you started on
those and to check your body's ergonomic form for the activities you
participate in, once your knee has been looked at and cleared by a doctor.
kate