Re: supplements

[Guest guest]

Redman Nicola wrote:

> Does anyone know of any supplements that really help joint stiffness? I

> took cod liver oil and glucosamine and chondroitin before my surface hip

> replacement but they didn't seem much good. Has anyone got any suggestions?

Much depends on the source of the stiffness. Before getting my surgery, I'd

occasionally feel stiffness in my hip (not to mention the preop pain and so

forth!!). Aside from the deterioration of the joint, which no doubt played a

role, I

also had bursitis in that hip, and so the ortho prescribed Celebrex, which

helped

some. Applying ice and heat, alternating treatments for 20 minutes each, also

helped.

There was also a dietary connection in my case. I noticed increased

stiffness/discomfort if I ate too many goodies (read: cookies, etc.) or red

meat.

Now that I'm postop -- 7 months this coming Sunday! -- my hip feels just fine.

However I also have psoriatic arthritis and so I still have a problem with joint

stiffness, in my hands. I still find a dietary connection -- red meat (like

hamburger; a filet mignon doesn't seem to bother! :-), or pizza or snacky stuff

does

raise the stiffness level.

Supplementwise, (FINALLY, she says!) I'm still taking Celebrex, and also Evening

Primrose Oil capsules. (I also wear magnetic (Nikken) bracelets, but that's a

whole

other thing.) I think these all help to some degree. I've also heard that others

have had success with a collagen supplement, but I don't know anything about

that.

I myself am holding out a lot of hope for the EPO capsules; these take some time

to

work -- I've only been taking them for about 3 months -- but I've heard,

anecdotally, about research into this (in Europe, I think) that shows real

promise.

I know that, years ago now, I'd read about EPO being used for patients with

multiple

sclerosis with some success, for example.

Hope this helps; YMMV!

--Louise

[Guest guest]

At 08:19 AM 4/16/2001 EDT, you wrote:

>Any of you surfacehippies taking supplements? Just curious what anyone has

>heard. Such as calcium supplements for bone growth.

>

I take several different supplements. ProMotion and Osteoguard for joints

and muscles, Lipotrol, Thermo G, and Fibotane for weight loss, and Coreplex

and Macromineral complex for general health. The above are all AdvoCare

products recommended by my chiropractor. I also take MSM capsules.

I have the worlds worst hips, but hey, I'm still walking on them!

[Guest guest]

Hi Mike,

If you have arthritis you might benefit from glucosamine/chondroitin, which

is recommended by orthopedists. It's supposed to help with cartilage,

although the party line from the doctors is you can't regenerate it. Also

flax oil and borage oil have anti-inflammatory benefits. Or eat a lot of

salmon, which is a tastier way to get the good fatty acids you need. If you

are just worried about bone growth and not inflammation, vitamin E

promotes healing of tissue. And of course calcium and magnesium are good

for your bones.

I have upped my protein since C+ surgery, since the abductor muscles need

to be built up. I also take unflavored gelatin dissolved in fruit juice as

a supplement. Oh, and regular doses of red wine to prevent heart disease.

Not a side effect from surface hip replacement as far as I know, but I

don't want to take any chances....

Jeanne

At 08:19 AM 4/16/01 EDT, you wrote:

>Any of you surfacehippies taking supplements? Just curious what anyone has

>heard. Such as calcium supplements for bone growth.

>

>When does one start Physical therapy?

>

>Mike

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jeanne,

Thanks for the information. Just wanting to find out the best supplements to

take. Dr. S says that the bone healing process will take one to two years.

That actually surprised me that it would keep getting stonger for that long.

As far as the muscle tissue it sound like you had lost a lot of your

flexibiltiy also. How long does it take to get back complete flexibility if a

person stretches regularly?

Mike