Anyone try Glucosamine?

Anyone try Glucosamine?

The reason I ask if because I've been a long time sufferer of Fibromyalgia for more than a decade (without any meds, I can tell you it sucks big time!).

And I stumbled twice now, upon an accidental finding: whenever I have live lobster steamed - it enabled me a PAIN FREE night and I feel great!

For me it's been nothing short of miraculous! I've never had a pain free night or day.

After much research, and the grateful help of some fellow healingwell posters, seems the lobster shells contain high amounts of glucosamine, which apparently and IMO, when you steam the lobster (must be live, and kicking one showing some spunk , LOL), it enables the glucosamine from the shells to get absorbed into the lobster meat, and thereby you get the glucosamine from the lobster.

Now if I could only figure out how much Glucosamine is contained in a 1 1/2 lb of lobster? haha

I have not yet tried supplementation with glucosamine, but will have to research that. I will need to find a safe source of it, as I don't want to upset my UC remission with the wrong type.

So, here's my question: Are any of you on glucosamine supplementation? If so, which type? How much? And what have your results been?

I've been taking it for years. It's also great for dogs too, especially older dogs.

Yes, my gastro agreed that I could take 1 glucosamine500/chondroitin400 daily for knee stiffness; I've been on it for ca. 6 yrs now and it definitely helps. The doctor said that higher doses may cause excess stomach gas-- so one can beware of that. / Old Hat (31 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)

I do not want to discourage you on the theory but I have some questions.

- What makes you so sure that its ONLY Glucosamine that you are getting from steamed lobster and not anything else?
- If it IS glucosamine, do you know what form it is? (I don't know)
- AFAIK, majority of Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements are sold as sulfate form, so could the sulfate moeity be of help, just sulfur so to say? If thats the case, then sulfur containing amino acids, Glutathione could also be of help. Seems like a distant connection but sulfur is very medicinal (than what is in the literature). Currently, came across a study that looked at arthritis patients taking these supplements for long term and concluded that these supplements do not work (and I find interesting many folks reporting benefits from it, including my uncle).
- Another point against glucosamine is, its rather a HUGE molcule and from my limited knowledge, there is no preference for this moecule in any part of our body. So its absorption has always been doubtful to me. (Counter argument for other large molecules like antibiotics, they are 'designed' to get easily absorbed or converted to a form that will be preferentially absorbed).

Honestly, from where I see it, its something else. I am sorry, I can't figure out more at the moment.

I wonder, if you are on LDN, it doesn't help you? There are so many new drugs in the market for fibromyalgia, nothing helps? Although I am not intimately aware of your fibromyalgia pain, I understand the desperation (as I am in same desperate boat with my migraine), I would try whatever is available in the market to get things in order before fixing the cause.

Here's an article I saw about Glucosamine and it's effects. I haven't tried it either...hope you find it helpful. :)

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/glucosamine-000306.htm

deltaforce,

1) The reason I think it's glucosamine is because I've eaten alot of other types of food, grass-fed beef, lamb, salmon, eggs, etc... alot of these contain the same types of great nutrition: sulphur, B12, zinc, magnesium, etc... and none of them ever put me in a ZERO pain zone.

Now, the only thing that differs those foods from lobster is: glucosamine.

2) Sulphur - yes, I've tried with eggs, and onions - again no results.

Perhaps it's the combination of glucosamine and sulphur as glucosamine sulfate? I really don't know. And frankly, how do we determine EXACTLY which type of glucosamine and how many mg are in a 1 1/2 lb of lobster? That was the question I posed?

3) Some have reported that glucosamine sulfate did not help them, so I have to wonder is it necessary to have it an eatable food in the form of Lobster for it to be most effective? I have not yet tried the glucosamine sulfate supplement.

4) As far as glucosamine molecules being large...I don't know. Here again, in their natural source in the lobster they apparently are in such a form as to make it easily absorbable or I wouldn't have had the fabulous results, no?

I understand your being skeptical, but last night I tested my theory again, and had another wonderful steamed lobster (with drawn butter of course) and result (drum-roll please, lol): ZERO PAIN.

There is something to this, it is NOT a coincidence, and the only data I've been able to link to it is Glucosamine. However, if you think otherwise, please enlighten me as I do want to get to the bottom of this so I can replicate this and live a pain-free life.

Yes, I've been on LDN - for 1 year now, and although I've read some studies about it helping those with fibromyalgia, unfortunately, I've not been in that group ;(

I can tell you that fibromyalgia is a disorder which is very difficult to live with, and I've had levels of pains which has brought me to the brink of suicide many times.

Anyway, your keen insight is much appreciated.

BTW, an interesting side note: each time I have lobster, the next morning's BM is absolutely perfectly formed (as in the days prior to UC disease and diagnosis). What attributes that?

 

@ InSoFla,

Lets say that it is Glucosamine that is helping you. If so, lobster is not the only source of glucosamine. You should get same/similar benefit from crabs and shrimps too. Have you tried that or could you give a try?

Second thing, I forgot last time, Astaxanthin, the red pigment in lobsters. From what I know about fibrmyalgia, there are many 'brain' theories, so lets say it has something to do with inflammation and Astaxanthin is known anti-inflmmatory. Although in trace amounts, could that be the one helping you? (I have been trying it for my migraine for last 6 months, no help.)

Now back to glucosamine, you can buy a variety of forms in the store. If you really want to give a try, try different forms for a month each and see how and if they help you. There is hydrochloride salt, N-acetyl glucosamine and Poly N-Acetyl glucosamine salt available. Although I would start with sulfate salt and switch to these salts to make sure that the base is covered with majority of studied glucosamine salts.

With sulphur, actually I was more inclined towards sulphur containing amino acids. The problem here is, no matter how we look outside, we have no clue how things are inside and so I wonder if there is any deficiency with any of these amino acids. Many of these amino acids are involved in loads of chemical reactions in the brain and an imbalance could trigger the inflammation (?) This is my theory. May be eating eggs and onions is not enough.

Honestly, I really don't think the 'form' of glucosamine in lobster is going to be much different than any ones sold in store. It will be some kind of salt for sure. You will have to dig through google or just write to some lobster farms/aquariums to see if they know. Its could be the thing that all these marine creatures have better developed system to make and utilize glucosamine and we lack it a big time.

With perfect BMs next day, this is super interesting. This clearly concludes to reduced inflammation. So whats the inflammatory substance in lobster that is helping you is a question.

If I were you, I would first try crabs and shrimps, same results = glucosamine in action.
Try different forms of glucosamine with Astaxanthin and MSM (I don't know but I still want to hang to sulphur).
Keep sulphur containing amino acids supplement as a backup.

I wonder if you have tried new big guns like Cymbalta or Lyrica? If they help or do not help, you can hang on to or rule out certain mechanism in fibromyalgia. Thats exactly how I am working with my migraine. I am trying to pinpoint cause of migraine by looking at the drug that helps me relieve migraine.
Secondly, what did you get first, UC or fibro?

deltaforce,

Thanks for your thorough reply.

I don't like crab, but I could try it I suppose.

I have tried shrimp - and no effect.

I also tried astaxanthin, no help.

Cymbalta, no help - and boy was it hell to get off it, with the extreme withdrawal symptoms.

Fibromyalgia came first, about a decade before the UC, however the Fibro went undiagnosed and untreated. Although finally diagnosed, I am still not on any meds for it. I'm hoping Lobster will become my medicine ( or whatever research comes from it) lol.

I will have to experiment with, as you suggest: hydrochloride salt, N-acetyl glucosamine and Poly N-Acetyl glucosamine salt and see how it goes.

As to the source of your migraines, I find it interesting that while I was on the SAD diet (standard american diet) including lost of bread, pasta, gluten - I used to suffer regularly from terrible migraine headaches that  used to last 3-4 days each. I used to have to stay in a dark room, nauseaus, and miserable - with tynelol, NSAID or others of little help - all I could do was keep hot compresses on my head.

And when I finally went gluten, wheat free as a result of the UC, I no longer get any migraines.

Your relief could be as easy as going gluten and wheat free too...

What do you think?

 

At least you know that lobster helps with your fibromyalgia. Glad you found something. But you may not know for sure that it is the glucosamine in lobster that is the key ingredient unless you supplement with glucosamine and see if your symptoms improve. If not the glucosamine then perhaps something else in lobster. In the meantime it wouldn't hurt to continue eating lobster for pain relief.

I don't have fibromyalgia but have been taking supplemental glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM for almost 20 years. I have to take a special glucosamine hydrochloride because it is not derived from shellfish. It doesn't seem to affect my UC but it keeps my joints greased.

BabeintheWoods,

 But you may not know for sure that it is the glucosamine in lobster that is the key ingredient unless you supplement with glucosamine and see if your symptoms improve.

You're right of course. But the real question is: which type of glucosamine complex is contained in lobster and how many mg are in a 1 1/2 lb lobster?

Replicating the results with a supplement of glucosamine, may not get me there especially since I do not know which exact formulation of glucosamine to experiment with. However I will start out with the glucosamine suflate and then go to N-acetyl glucosamine and Poly N-Acetyl glucosamine salt.

As a side note, although the pain free side effects only lasted 24 hours, the effects on the perfect BM seemed to last 72 hours, so there is definitely something to this.

Glad you identified what makes you feel better. Do you get good results from Florida lobster or from cold water lobster only? I can see you fitted out in scuba gear and lobster bag getting ready for Florida lobster season (8 month season starts Aug 6th). Now that's a Paleo diet! hunt for your food Or you could take a summer vacay to Maine and eat your way up the coast.

I don't eat much lobster because it's the only seafood not agreeable to my spouse and I find it a little rich also. Very interesting though.

Wow! That is fascinating! Although I dont have Fibromyalgia, I will try it to decrease the inflammation in my colon. I am going to start in very small doses though because I had snow crabs yesterday for dinner and I am flaring this morning so I dont know if it was the shellfish that caused the flare up or if it was the spice... Anyway, I looked the AA up online and it is very cheap so I am going to order a small jar and test it out!

Thanks InSoFla!

No, not Old Bay. I no longer use premixed anything since most are loaded with MSG. I seasoned the water with Cayenne, black pepper(which may be the problem) garlic, lemon and chili powder.