Trying2Cope
05-09-2008, 01:30 PM
Hello everyone,
Some of you might remember my numerous posts about glucosamine/MSM, and how it has helped me become pain-free. I don't visit the board much anymore because after 2 or 2 1/2 years (I honestly can't remember how long it has been) I am still in remission.
I thought I would post some info because I still receive quite a few private messages asking me about dosages and brand names and various other questions, so I thought I could cover more ground by making a public post.
1. I am still in remission, and I still take glucosamine/msm, but not every day. I'm down to 2-3 times a week now.
2. I don't think the brand name of the glucosamine/msm matters, but do make sure there is no chondroitin in the supplement. I have heard it causes flares. My supplements contain ONLY 500 mg of glucosamine and 500 mg of MSM (plus some fillers, but NO other supplements like willow bark, vitamin C, chondroitin, etc.)
3. The pain meds I was taking caused low testosterone. I am on hormone replacement therapy, and my testosterone levels are considered normal now, although still on the low end (I am in my 40's, so that could have something to do with it, too). Still, I am feeling "normal" and pretty much like I was before I started having IC symptoms.
I would never use the word "cure", but I think I am about as close to being "cured" as one can get with this disease. I have been in long-term remission, and that's good enough for me, as long as my symptoms don't return.
I recently quit smoking with the help of the patch, so I'm sure that has also helped!
Some of you might remember my numerous posts about glucosamine/MSM, and how it has helped me become pain-free. I don't visit the board much anymore because after 2 or 2 1/2 years (I honestly can't remember how long it has been) I am still in remission.
I thought I would post some info because I still receive quite a few private messages asking me about dosages and brand names and various other questions, so I thought I could cover more ground by making a public post.
1. I am still in remission, and I still take glucosamine/msm, but not every day. I'm down to 2-3 times a week now.
2. I don't think the brand name of the glucosamine/msm matters, but do make sure there is no chondroitin in the supplement. I have heard it causes flares. My supplements contain ONLY 500 mg of glucosamine and 500 mg of MSM (plus some fillers, but NO other supplements like willow bark, vitamin C, chondroitin, etc.)
3. The pain meds I was taking caused low testosterone. I am on hormone replacement therapy, and my testosterone levels are considered normal now, although still on the low end (I am in my 40's, so that could have something to do with it, too). Still, I am feeling "normal" and pretty much like I was before I started having IC symptoms.
I would never use the word "cure", but I think I am about as close to being "cured" as one can get with this disease. I have been in long-term remission, and that's good enough for me, as long as my symptoms don't return.
I recently quit smoking with the help of the patch, so I'm sure that has also helped!