Whose taken Osteo Bi-Flex Glucosamine Chondroitin Complex for RA or Lupus?

Question

Have you had any experience with this product? Any harmful side effects? At what point do you see results? Please share.

http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100180&id=prod2875881#review

Thanks in advance for your answers.

Answer 1

I do, though I'm not sure if it does anything except make me sick to my stomach. Supposedly it will reduce long term damage to your joints, so I keep taking it.

If you have any kind of shellfish allergy, you'll be allergic to it, and you can actually develop an allergy while on it because the dosage is so high. Speaking of dosages, it's a lot of pills to remember to take. I take them three times a day. The drinks are an alternative, but the are very expensive and taste horrible. (Ask your doctor for the proper dosage for you. My rheumatologist swears by the stuff for people as well as animals.)

I started off taking the more expensive brands but switched down to whatever is cheaper. Just make sure they still have a comparable amount of glucosamine chondroitin. After realizing how expensive they pills got to be every month, I showed several brands to my doctor and he didn't think there was any difference.

Answer 2

I don't think Glucosamine is a good choice for RA or Lupus.

It's more for osteoarthritis. Please see the links below for good information. Anti-inflammatory diet and herbs, and fish oil are the best things for RA or Lupus. Please be sure to get quality supplements and pharmaceutical grade fish oil to avoid contaminants. Hope you feel better soon!

Answer 3

I have systemic lupus erythematosus and take glucosamine chondroitin. All of my doctors are fully aware of all supplements that I take and the things I do to manage  my lupus.

It is important to realize that lupus and ra can cause permanent damage and that this supplement will not prevent that damage or totally repair it. Talk with your doctor about your discomfort. It is important to continue your prescribed immunosuppressive drugs to control your autoimmune disease.

Answer 4

It does not help for these

most take it for OA

according to my Family doc

most of them out there the reason why they help is they are not just a "herb supplement" quit a few of them have a pain killer in them. that is why they help with the pain.