By Paul H on Friday, December 14, 2001 - 02:51 am:

Hello, I recently purchased 2 bottles of glucosamine/chondrotin plus MSM. I have a pretty severe case of hypermobile joints and I am worried that the MSM, which "promotes joint flexibility...and range of motion" will actually make my condition worse.

Are my fears justified? Did I just pour over $40 down the drain?

P.S. My condition has gotten worse since I started taking them but it has gotten steadily worse anyway.

By Michael Baumgarten on Wednesday, December 26, 2001 - 11:19 am:

To paul: I had taken glucosamine/chondrotin and i also felt it made me worse. Actaully, i know it made me worse. I tried the product on two different occasions. Everything tightened up to the point i was in pain. I stopped taking it and I was back to what i consider normal. MIKEB
I have not found any supplemets that have worked as of yet.

By Robyn on Thursday, December 27, 2001 - 09:43 am:

This is interesting. Perhaps the G&C therapy works so well for arthritic patients because it truly promotes more ligamentous laxity....not what we hypermobiles need at ALL!!

Does anyone know about the use of magnesium...and other nutrients that specifically impact muscle.? I would think this is a better avenue since our muscles are in overdrive - and need all the support they can get. The joints themselves aren't the issue - but more the defective ligaments..and the overworked muscles... does that make sense?? Interested in anybody's experience here - or insight.

By Paul H on Wednesday, January 02, 2002 - 01:35 pm:

Robyn:

That's a great point. My prolotherapist Russ Hauser provided a natural supplement called MSCLR which is supposed to help build muscles. It contains Amylase, burdock root, citrus bioflavonoids, catalase, cellulase, and lecithin. I believe it contains an enzyme that breaks down food so as to promote muscle growth.

It is distributed by Enzyme Formulations, Inc of Madison, WI 57319.

I'm thinking of buying something stronger from a health food store.

By Greg on Wednesday, January 02, 2002 - 04:07 pm:

All,

I have been using G&C and MSM for almost three years now. I feel as though it has helped some. Obviously, it will not tighten our ligaments, but these substances can help our body from prematurely breaking down our cartilage. Remember, these substances are just raw materials- ot's what your body does with them that makes them useful to some people.

Greg

By Rosemary Small on Wednesday, January 09, 2002 - 01:23 pm:

I have used G&C and MSM for 12 months. After so many years of dislocation and joint "overmovement" I have early onset arthritis in all my pelvic joints. These food supplements have significantly reduced the grinding sanding sensation in my hips, knees, neck, scapula, toes and tail bone. I occasionally run out of G&C. After 4 or 5 days the muscles, in my legs especially, tend go rigid. Very unpleasant and destabilizing. I wish it was my tendons tighening up. Generally I feel very good about the G&C, as long as I keep taking it.

By Lucy on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 10:19 am:

Hi All

A late addition - I found that taking copper & chromium supplements significantly eased swelling & stiffness in my hands. I now take a complete A-Z multivitamins & minerals and have rarely been stiff or swollen since.

Lucy