Increased Pain after 1 week of Glucosamine

[dogcomp]

I had TKR for first knee scheduled for this past December until I found this forum and found out how long recovery really would take - I just can't be off of work for more than two weeks. A friend told me to try taking the higher doses of Glucosamine and Condroitin (1500 and 1200, or vice versa). Within a couple days my knees were hurting so much more that I think I am going to have to start using a walker. She said to try taking it for at least a month before giving up on it. I just wondered if anyone had ever heard that Glucosamine and Condroitin might make you worse before it makes you better?

 

[Josephine]

Couldn't say, I'm afraid. Don't know too much about glucosamine or condroitin.

I do know that you'll never get back to work in two weeks! At that point you'll be at the peak of your post-op pain and unable to walk around much, never mind driving to work.

Read this post ...

 

[Jamie]

Dog....what kind of job do you have that won't allow you more time off? You know there are laws that say your employer MUST grant you time....maybe not paid time, but time off nonetheless for illness and recovery---up to 12 weeks.

There are many options for you in most cases....starting back part time, working from home....maybe you could talk with your employer. I mean, what would they do if you were in an accident or something? Surely there is a Plan B.....

We've had some posts from people who tried to go back to work too soon. It really makes recovery difficult if not impossible. Maybe if you could talk some about your job, others here in a similar situation might be able to offer some ideas for you.

 

[Nursepair]

I tried Glucosomine once but didn't find it beneficialat all. Others find it great. We all react differently to medications.

Something to think about: If you don't get your knee done you may not be fit enough to go to work at all or ever again. You will end up in a wheelchair not able to walk. I hope you manage to get the time off, you will get a new lease on life once you are recovered from the op.

 

[Rowdy66]

Dog, I know the pain you are in, we all do, we have all been there but I have to tell you there is no job in the world worth the pain you are currently in. I know no one has the right to make the decision for surgery but you and I cannot believe that an employer in this day and age would not allow you the time you need to properly recuperate from a much needed surgery. We all made sacrifices to have it and when the pain is as bad as mine was you just reach the point where the chips can fall where they may, I had to have relief, I no longer had a life. I will keep you in my prayers and send good thoughts your way, hopefully something will happen and allow you to have your knees done and be able to recuperate properly. Good luck, I hope you keep posting here, there are a lot of good people here and Jo is the best. Rowdy

 

[dogcomp]

Thanks all for your input and support. I have to say that my problem with work is that I can't afford, moneywise, to be off. If I can just make it thru three more years, I can retire and take all the time I need. I am so thankful that I found this forum. My doctor gave me a phamphlet to read, but it didn't really say how long recovery would take. I don't know what I would have done if I had gone ahead and had the surgery, and then found out I was going to have to take more time off. Thanks, you guys. dogcomp

 

[Jamie]

Dog, I can understand the money issue. Just watch and take care of yourself so that you don't do more damage by waiting and make recovery more difficult when you are able to have the surgery. And still keep thinking about it.....you may find you can work it out financially too....sometimes a person just has to be creative. Best of luck to you and keep in touch!!!

 

[wrappergirl]

I started taking Glucosamine with MSM about 2 weeks ago and my knee, foot and hip pain have increased dramatically. Has anyone else experienced this? I don't know if its related or just an odd coincidence, has anyone experienced this before having knee or hip replacements? I haven't had any replacements yet so I'm still dealing with the arthritis pain and since starting the glucosamine its gotten so much worse.

 

[calling_all_angels]

Dog,
I do not know if you have seen this or not but maybe you would like to.
You may want to consider stemcells for your knee. There are U-Tubes on it https://www.youtube.com/user/stemcellclassroom
^i^

 

[HopAlong]

Look into the natural supplement called "Sam-e" ....it isn't cheap, but it is good for your joints and it also elevates your mood naturally too. I felt joint relieve right away with Sam-e. It was recommended on that new doctors talk show "The Doctors"

I took the popular brand of Glucosamine & Condroitin for 2 years straight without noticing any difference. In fact at first I felt my joints were getting worse too.

Link:

<a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=/7/*Ig/4R3Q&offerid=162423.28501&type=2&subid=0" >SAM-e 400 mg Double Strength Tablets by Natures Bounty - 30 ea</a><IMG border=0 width=1 height=1 src="https://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=/7/*Ig/4R3Q&bids=162423.28501&type=2&subid=0" >

 

[JudyS]

dog that is a rough position to be in. Do you have any disability insurance ? Actually most people are covered in the state or i'm not sure if it is a federal program. It does not cover your whole pay, but maybe enough. Three years will go by slowly in pain

Judy

 

[Judles]

Sorry you're having both physical and fiscal pain....and unfortunately both are mutually exclusive at this point!
My OS said that the glucosomine route was NOT beneficial! I would trust the members theories,but the bottom line is that its YOUR decision to make! Good luck!

 

[Weezy]

I had TKR for first knee scheduled for this past December until I found this forum and found out how long recovery really would take - I just can't be off of work for more than two weeks. A friend told me to try taking the higher doses of Glucosamine and Condroitin (1500 and 1200, or vice versa). Within a couple days my knees were hurting so much more that I think I am going to have to start using a walker. She said to try taking it for at least a month before giving up on it. I just wondered if anyone had ever heard that Glucosamine and Condroitin might make you worse before it makes you better?

I tried both over the years, and neither helped, although I never noticed it making them worse. Have you talked to your doc about visco supplementation? I know there are a couple of different brand names out there. I did several rounds of it for about two years and it helped just enough to make things tolerable. I normally got about 3 to 6 months of semi-relief out of each round.

However, I KNEW it was time to get serious about a TKR when the visco-supplementation shots no longer had any impact at all.

Weezy

 

[carolward]

Hi dog
I have had a PKR and took glucosomine before my operation. I tried it on three separate occasions and like you, the pain got worse and worse. I hadn't heard of anyone else having this problem and neither had my doctor.
Hope all works out for you
Carol

 

[Sticker Lady]

Hi!
So sorry that you're having such a rough time. I started taking glucosomine & chondrotin about 5 years ago for hip pain. I feel that it really helps--I stopped on 2 different occasions and the pain got worse. That said, we are all a bit different. What works for some, won't work for others. If your pain is increasing, it seems to me that your body is telling you to stop.
I hope you find something that will help you soonest!

 

[CG'sknees]

For what it's worth, my OS, who I trust completely, believes that all these supplements are a waste of money. He specifically is against glucosamine/chondroitin, claiming is causes diabetes.

I looked on-line and there apparently was some evidence of this, but it apparently has been rebuked. But there is not a lot of evidence that there is that much help from g/c. I did take it for several months prior to my RTKA, and thought it helped. I took a product called Avo-soy, that also had some avocado based ingredient that was supposed to be beneficial. But I haven't taken any since surgery, and my arthritic left knee, that awaits surgery next year, doesn't seem any worse for not taking it.

I agree that you should look into your rights to take time off (the Family Medical Leave Act), and to check into what you would qualify under disability payments. Disability paid about 80% of my take-home pay while I was out, and that was tax-free money.

All the best to you. Take good care of yourself.