glucosamine/chronroitin/MSM

[heiwalove]

are these supplements available together, in a formula, or do you need to purchase them separately?
also, any info on experience and dosage?

[sleepyangel30]

It's true sulfate can cause some problems. I can't tolerate some sulfate's. It increases my frequency.

[heiwalove]

thank you so much.
i know you're not allowed to link to sites, but is it cheaper to order this stuff online, or can you find it at health food stores?

[heiwalove]

bigdog:
i looked at the glucosamine product and noticed it had vitamin c and some other stuff in it? aren't these irritants?
thanks for the info!
:)

[sleepyangel30]

I have nothing against the medical community. I don't place my trust in my doctor that is why I reasearch and treat myself. I just come from a family that are mostly into alternative medicines. I remember when I was young I used to get little red bumpy rashes on my wrist. My grandfather giving me some alternative medicine and the rash never returned after that. My grandfather had a eye disease called glaucoma he never used any treatment at all he treated hiself and never went blind. I believe some alternative medicines work. It depends on what kind you get. Many traditional and alternatives medicines have side effects. A pain medicine my mom was taking almost killed her this happend why she was in the hospital. It wasn't her fault it was her pain doctor fault she kept telling him she want off of them because they were making her crazy.They were doping her up big time with the pain meds. She was being mean to everyone. throwing things at her hubby. She would not eat. She lost so much weight she was so boney like the skeleton from tales from the crip, my family and I thought she wasn't going to make it because she wouldn't eat. My brother have the pics to proove it. I talk with a nurse I told her I think the pain medicine is making my mom really sick and the nurse goes I don't think it caused her problem yeah right. I told her she need to have her taking off them so finally a Psychologist came and had her taken off the pain medicine and she was sent to a mental insitution for a while. She recoverd slowly but surely Thank god.

[tommygal]

I was just searching Glucosimine and came across this. My naturopathic prescribed Glucosamine Sulfate for me, and from what I have read, should I be concerned? Should I see about taking a different kind of Glucosamine instead? Or should I give it time and see if it bothers me or not?

[ICNDonna]

It is extremely important to work with your physician on your treatment plan. Most physicians are willing to work with patients who wish to pursue alternative forms of treatment, but they do need to know what you are taking if they are to treat you safely.

And, regarding potassium --- it is true that an IC patient experiences pain when potassium is instilled into the bladder. But I think of it the same way I do salt --- if I have an open sore and pour salt on it, it hurts! --- but if I put that salt on food and ingest it, it does not cause pain. It is important to know that potassium is essential to life --- a potassium deficiency can be very serious. Many foods containing potassium are IC irritants, which can make it difficult to get enough. After I had a blood test indicating a very low potassium, I had to have some administered by IV before I could safely be anesthetized for surgery. I now take a supplement and it does not cause bladder irritation.

Donna

[tommygal]

I'm a little confused about this potassium thing. Is potassium bad for the bladder? I started taking my glucosamine sulfate on Wednesday, and haven't been feeling that great, but I don't think it is from the medicine. I think it is just from my endo, big changes in diet, and starting the new supplements. I also have pelvic pain, I don't know if it is the bladder or endo or what. And what exactly is a flare? I honestly can't tell if something is causing problems with the bladder, or if the pain is just there, or if it is the endo.
I talked to my doctor yesterday, he didn't think the sulfate should really cause too much problem, and thought I should continue to take it. And I did let my urologist know all the herbs I am taking and he said the glucosamine was good for the bladder, and didn't say anything about the sulfate causing a problem. So I honestly can't tell if it is causing more pains or not. But, yeah sorry I'm so confused about everything! Being 18, a lot of times it hards for me to understand all these medical things!!!!

[Indy]

I have made the point numerous times that the "IC" Diet given out in the Elmiron brochure is "wrong." It states we should stay away from highly acidic foods and high potassium foods and then shows pictures and mentions honeydew! I have never been sicker than following that diet. I don't know my potassium threshhold but if I've had a potato, honeydew, brussel sprouts and asparagus on the same day (none of which are acidic), I will be on the ground.

I also suspect the sulphates in elmiron and the heparin sulfate instillations are major irritants to my bladder. Sulphates are sulphuric acid! I'm no chemist, but something doesn't make sense and the doctors don't know anything about nutrition or how foods are metabolized.

I'd love some input.