Hi there;
I was just wondering how effective glucosamine is for OA and other joint problems. Also, are there any other herbal or all natural supplements out there that help? I've also wondered about the Q-Ray bracelet - how much of it is power of suggestion, or does it really physically work? Thanks!!
Kelly 
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Anterior Foraminotomy in April 09 for:
stenosis C4/C5, protruding disc at C5/C6 with osteophyte complex, herniated disc at C6/C7
OA in neck, hip, knees
PTSD and Anxiety Disorder
**A Proud Canadian Soldier**
BUT NOT A DOCTOR!!! My thoughts are just that... my thoughts based solely on my experiences, so take them for what they're worth (and sometimes they may not be worth much) 
Glucosamine chondroitin has been studied for a number of years and has been proven both safe and effective. Many rheumatologists recommend it for patients who have arthritis. Mine said they weren't positive it helped, but it certainly cannot hurt, and it does help with pain.
Many people swear by Zyflamend (by New Chapter). It is a combination of 10 herbs. It is widely prescribed by many doctors for inflammation. It is available at many on-line stores. I'm not sure which stores might carry it -- maybe a health food store? In my opinion, it would be worth a try.
spondylolisthesis at L4-5; stenosis at L3-4 and L4-5
radiculopathy for about 3 years
PLIF (L4-L5)in Jan '08 (PEEK cage, rods & Screws, BMP); continued radiculopathy....
Lami-foraminotomy L5-S1 Jan '09; continued radiculopathy;
Bulging discs L3-4 & L5-S1; crazy screwed-up S1 nerve
***** I have no medical training and am in no way connected with the medical profession, other than doing my part to keep them at full employment. My posts are based on personal experience and knowledge gained through the adventures of living. Take them for what they are worth....
Thanks for the info Gwennie!!! Much appreciated!!
Kelly
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Anterior Foraminotomy in April 09 for:
stenosis C4/C5, protruding disc at C5/C6 with osteophyte complex, herniated disc at C6/C7
OA in neck, hip, knees
PTSD and Anxiety Disorder
**A Proud Canadian Soldier**
BUT NOT A DOCTOR!!! My thoughts are just that... my thoughts based solely on my experiences, so take them for what they're worth (and sometimes they may not be worth much)
what is in Zyflamend? I am trying ginger tablets. I am tired of aleve and advil. does anyone know anything about ginger? also heard that tumeric was a great anti inflammatory.
hi kkubsky,
turmeric is a great anti-inflammatory.
i take several a day as part of my pain regiment..
i include Glucosamine daily. there are many vitamins and supplements you can take to help clean the liver of medications, ease joint pain, and strengthen joints and ligaments.
let me know if you are interested.. good luck as you try alternative therapies.
Jenny
Double laminectomy L4-L5, bulging discs, DDD, Bone spurs, nerve damage in left leg and hip, DJD, and that to familiar visitor,arthritis
Hi Jenny
Pls email me at lyndamanoa@yahoo.com regarding this.
Thanks
Lynda
I'm interested!!!
Any info would be great!!!
Kelly
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Anterior Foraminotomy in April 09 for:
stenosis C4/C5, protruding disc at C5/C6 with osteophyte complex, herniated disc at C6/C7
OA in neck, hip, knees
PTSD and Anxiety Disorder
**A Proud Canadian Soldier**
BUT NOT A DOCTOR!!! My thoughts are just that... my thoughts based solely on my experiences, so take them for what they're worth (and sometimes they may not be worth much)
i am very interested in a natural inflammatory. i am guessing that when taking tumeric one cannot also take nsaids?????
I haven't gotten the whole story but my sister was at the ortho the other day for wrist pain. They said she had a condition that was somehow binding up the tendons in her wrist.
Doc told her Glucosomine was the worst thing to take. Not sure if this is just because of what she has or in general.
My husband and I have both had shoulder and knee surgeries. We are 44 and 50 and feel like we should be 70. We both prefer to use external remedies as much as possible. A hot shower is great or a heating pad. There is definately a hot tub in my future.
Too often the so called safe or harmless medicines and supplements are later recalled. With all of the drugs I have to take I am very careful about adding anything else.
Glucosamine was never helpful for me, my mom has taken it for years (shoulder problems & OA). She says she doesn't realize how much it helps her until she stops taking it. Then her pain is much greater. She's a nurse & says it's safe to use. Of course, every day they change their minds as to whether drinking coffee or a glass of wine every day is good or bad for you.
Jay
For help in posting pictures on Spine-Health, see the following posts on using Photobucket and Flickr:
http://www.spine-health.com/forum/water-cooler/photo-installment-1
http://www.spine-health.com/forum/water-cooler/photo-installment-2
Sorry, had to take the email off my signature because of the spam (bob@mypharmajobs.com this means you and I hope every spider and bot causes you to get spammed until your email is smoking!), so if you need additional help with photos I will not hesitate to provide it though via PM.
Also, please do not ask for assistance reading your MRI report, I am NOT a doctor!
===
C3-C4-C5-C6 bulging with stenosis, L5-S1 annular tear and bulge, L3-L4-L5-S1 facet joint syndrome, OA: nothing severe enough to cause problems. Multiple MRIs, EMG & NCS tests, lumbar ESI's, facet injections, medial branch block injections, RF rhizotomy L3-L4-L5, discogram. Scheduled for LP mid October.
Now be a good boy and swallow all these pretty pills..... Ibuprofen, Valium, Baclofen, Avinza. Vicodin & Tramadol for BT pain.
I've been taking that supplement for almost 10 years now. All my doctors have always given me the green light on it and have said that it will help.
The first time I started using it, it took about 3 months before I noticed any difference. I take it on a regular basis.
Now the Q-Ray bracelets. I am now on my third one... Each one has lasted me about 2 years. Wear them all the time, in the pool, in the hot tub, etc.
Do the match their claim to fame????
Heck no, but I did notice less of a strain when I had it on my hand I was using my mouse with. I did some testing with and without it, left hand, right hand and it did make a difference at the end of a week using a mouse 8-10 hours per day.
But still overall, I just like the style of the Q-Rays...
Ron DiLauro (aka PapaRon)


Ron's Story
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I did notice that one part gives me cramps and gas. I was told it is probably the Chondroitin part.
Ron - Swap hands with the mouse. I use it lefty at work and right at home. I switch back and forth. I'm almost as good lefty as righty with a mouse now.
AxiaLIF at L5/S1. Click ID for Medical History.