Just wanted to say thanks to all for the information provided in these forums. All is
very informative. I have been diagnosed with PT and feel comfort knowing I'm not the
only one out there with this problem.
I have had heel pain equally in both heels for about 9 months now. Walking is not that
bad, but standing in one place kills me. Mornings seem no different then evenings. I
have had two different anti-flamitory prescriptions and a muscle relaxer throughout the
last few months with tons of stretching exercises. A week ago I received two shots of
cortisone in each heel. Hasn't made any difference. I don't think I want any more of
those.
I'm interested in the Glucosamine and Chondroitin you all speak of and would like to
know more about it before taking it.
I feel some comfort in over the counter heel and arch support, but found most
comfort with my speedo flip flop sandals. They have arch support and the heel is
padded pretty good. I am thinking about trying some Birks. I would like to find a
good dress show that has good support. I am a Network Administrator and
sometimes stand a long while in front of servers.
I feel for you all being I am probably feeling the same pain you all do. I very
aggravated with this problem because it keeps me from doing things I love to do on
my feet. I don't understand why it just doesn't get better. Oh well. Thanks for
listening.
Bill
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Message 351
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From:
Bead (BEAD)
To:
Bill Spicer (BSPICER)
2 of 19
Posted:
10/20/98 7:18 PM
Reply to:
347
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I can't help wuth shoes but I take 1500 mgs. of glucosomine a
day and so far have not found any difference, but I have
friends that swear by it. Good idea not to take anymore
cortisone.Check out heelspurs.com there is a lot of info
there. Good Luck,
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Message 361
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From:
Diane R. (DIANE5)
To:
Bead (BEAD)
3 of 19
Posted:
10/21/98 8:42 AM
Reply to:
351
Next
For those of you with this same result you may want to check your label and be sure
you have a good portion of glucosamine SULFATE in your pill. The HCL type does
not have good "ratings" from PFers on the old site. My experience was same until I
switched to my current brand. Haven't been able to find a pure glucosamine sulfate -
mine still has some HCL.
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Message 449
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From:
shugga (SHUGGA)
To:
Bill Spicer (BSPICER)
4 of 19
Posted:
10/25/98 4:48 PM
Reply to:
347
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Glucosamine and chondroitin help the connective tissue rebuild itself. Check out Dr.
Andrew Weils website for good info. I'm not sure of the URL but use your search
engine to find out more about it. My chiropractor recommended it to me. I found that
it worked wonders. I began taking 1,500 of GS, that was 3 pill a day. Take with
meals and the only warning I've ever heard was for diabetics, they should check with
their Dr. first. It seems that GS is an amino sugar, and might have a reactionfor
diabetics. I'm down to 500mg a day now, but I've been taking it for at least a year. I
takes several months for it to begin to show results. And it is pricey!! But I feel worth
it!
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Message 450
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From:
Bead (BEAD)
To:
Diane R. (DIANE5)
5 of 19
Posted:
10/25/98 6:54 PM
Reply to:
361
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I can't begin to tank you enough. I have been taking
Glucosomine for about a year but as I mentioned in my message
above I hadn't seen any results. You e-mailed & mentioned
about glucosomine sulfate & I checked my bottle & sure engough
I wasen't taking the sulfate. I bought the sulfate on Friday
750mgs. & took 2 tablets that night & took 2 more Saturday
a.m. and by the afternoon I felt a noticiable difference.
Same today. The man at the health food store said I should
take 2500 mgs. twice a day to start & even though I am
certainly not cured, my foot is so much better. I hesitate to
write this as I can't believe I would have such results so
soon,. It makes me angry that I wasted a whole year but I
will just be happy it has helped. Just a note on the lack of
info out there, the fellow at the health food store was
surprized to learn that the sulfate would make a eifference.
Thanks Diane again you did a real
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Message 453
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From:
Diane R. (DIANE5)
To:
Bead (BEAD)
6 of 19
Posted:
10/26/98 11:28 AM
Reply to:
450
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Bea,
So glad to learn that you benefited from the glucosamine "sulfate" - I experienced the
same type of improvement that you talk about when I started taking it instead of
HCL, too.
I first took 500 mg. tabs 3 times a day for about 3 mths.
Am down to just one per day now and sometimes with supper I take one if I have
been on my feet all day long - just to prevent recurrence. Also, when I really overdid
it on my feet and got some PF pain back I spiked the dosage and it helped me.
Maybe I should try and go back to 3 times a day and see if I can reach some sort of
"cure" from it over a long period of time - never attempted it - just cut down as I got
better. I have not had to take any NSAID's since I started with the glucosamine
sulfate. Stomach has improved tremendously.
Are you taking any calcium/mag? Many people think it is helpful, including me ... I
take the calcium with magnesium (has a small amt of copper in mine also) once a day.
My regualr dr.(GP) says I should be taking that 3 times a day to prevent osteporiasis
but I just have a hart time taking that many pills!
All this together with the birks almost 100% and I am now again back to virtually
"pain-free". I get tired feet when I stand 8 hrs. in a row but am able to get out of bed
without pain, no limping anywhere and don't constantly think of my feet. However,
that said, if I overdo it I know I'll be right back to almost square one again... this thing
just doesn't go away permanently - at least when you have had it as many years now
as I have....maybe if you catch it right in the beginning and get it calmed down before
you get spurs and before cortisone shots etc., I'm past those points of no retun so just
don't know??? Take care and hope your feet get better & better!
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Message 457
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From:
Beckyluvs2travel@juno.com (BECKYB1)
To:
Diane R. (DIANE5)
7 of 19
Posted:
10/26/98 5:50 PM
Reply to:
453
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Gosh Diane you are one lucky woman.
Just with Birks and your herbs, wow. I wish one day I can be pain free like that.
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Message 478
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From:
Diane R. (DIANE5)
To:
Beckyluvs2travel@juno.com (BECKYB1)
8 of 19
Posted:
10/28/98 12:38 AM
Reply to:
457
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Becky,
Yes, I feel right now like I am pretty lucky especially reading some of the posts on
this site. Brings back old memories for me as I did have 4 really bad years. Spurs in
both feet, limped all the time. Had night pain so bad it woke me up. Couldn't get out
of bed without pain and was always telling everyone "I'll catch up as soon as my feet
numb-out" - I was a mess!!! Was ready for surgery and decided to check out the
internet first. Sure glad I did. Found all those surgery posts at Scott's old site and
decided no-way on the surgery - tried everything everyone seems to try, splints,
stretching, cortisone once and on and on...
I had to do something different and went on a 100% birks program. I got fanatic
about them. That and then the glucosamine sulfate etc. All stuff I learned from others
on these pages. I look really goofy at weddings and dressy occasions with my socks
and birks but people are getting used to me in them!
I do occasionally forget and overdo it and then have had some "flares" - thankfully,
short lived as I go right back on my 100% birks, take more glucosamine and so far
have been able to get back to what I consider "pain free". (No limping, no morning
pain, able to walk malls, grocery shop, play with my 2 yr. old grandson)
My biggest problem is that I work on concrete floors and although I've always been
one to work through the pain -- this is how I get my PF flares... like I covered for a
maternity leave this summer and besides my own hrs. staring at 8:00 a.m. I put in
some days on my feet that went till 10:30 pm and midnight occasionally for a 6 wk
period - well that did me in!! Thought I might not get over that flare but I have!
My goal is to get rid of this PF permanently so I can forget it. It's always just out there
and any day I know it can flare again. That's one of the reasons I keep checking this
site to see if the real, once and for all cure, is out there... maybe this ossatron thing??
Until then, I try to let people know about the birks and the pills etc. as they have
helped many people avoid surgery or risky shots.
Good luck with the Ossatron trials... I hope you did not get the real ossatron
treatment as it seems you are in a lot of pain yet from all the posts you've sent, and if it
was the real thing it hasn't helped you. But then, maybe when you get the real one it
will help... I'll keep my hopes on that for you!
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Message 480
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From:
BarbZ (BINGO3)
To:
Diane R. (DIANE5)
9 of 19
Posted:
10/28/98 7:54 AM
Reply to:
478
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I've been doing all the things suggested and went to the Birks full time since last May
or June from your suggestions, but I also bought a "Fatigue" mat at Office Max, also
sold at Office Depot and it definitely helps the standing. I have to stand and cut fabric
for days and nights at a time before I can sit down and sew it, but the mat helps
tremendously. Under that is a piece of the matting you put under carpeting. I realize
that you have to move around to do your screen printing, but possibly a few of these
mats placed in specific places will help reduce the pressure on the feet. This particular
mat is
better than some of the others I've seen. Also I checked my bottle of Glucosamine
yesteday and noticed that it is lower in the Sulfate one so I'll look for the brand that is
higher with the Sulfate. Good Luck. BarbZ
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Message 503
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From:
Suedusty@aol.com (SUEDUSTY)
To:
Diane R. (DIANE5)
10 of 19
Posted:
10/28/98 11:55 PM
Reply to:
453
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Diane,
Thanks for posting that glucosamine sulfate works better for you than glucosamine
HCL--I've been taking the glucosamine HCL and Chondroitin Sulfate for 3 months
and have not seen any results--maybe that's the problem.
What brand or what amounts do you take?
Thanks,
Sue
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Message 511
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From:
Bead (BEAD)
To:
Suedusty@aol.com (SUEDUSTY)
11 of 19
Posted:
10/29/98 4:32 PM
Reply to:
503
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I also took Dianes advice a week ago after being on glu. H. I
find a big difference in the sulfate. Not a cure but
certainly relieves the apin a lot. Good Luck B
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Message 515
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From:
Diane R. (DIANE5)
To:
Suedusty@aol.com (SUEDUSTY)
12 of 19
Posted:
10/29/98 10:53 PM
Reply to:
503
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Sue,
I get mine at Sam's Club. Just was there this evening and paid $9.99 for a bottle of
120 tablets - with big letters on the label GLUCOSAMINE SULFATE COMPLEX,
reading the fine print it says it contains 300mg of the sulfate, 200mg of the HCL and it
does not mention anything to do with chronditron. They also sell an HCL complex
with chronditon for $25.00 - which I tried previously with no effect.
It's worth it to try the cheaper brand with more sulfate. The Sam's Club is made by
"Your Life"...a registered trademark of Leiner Health Products, Inc. of Carson, CA.
They list an info phone: 800-533-VITA and a wed site: www.vatamin.facts.com as
references. Previous to this brand I got some at my local grocery store under the
brand name "Natures Way" and it worked really well for me - but was more costly.
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Message 516
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From:
Bead (BEAD)
To:
Diane R. (DIANE5)
13 of 19
Posted:
10/29/98 11:33 PM
Reply to:
515
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I was told by my accupunturist & also health food store
workers that it is very hard for the body to absorb
CHondroitin. I am taking Joint Builder, bu Jorrow Formulass.
inc.750 mg. of glucosomine Sulfate plus Vitamin C & some other
stuff. I paid 28.95 fror 120 tablets & they seem to be
working for me
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Message 544
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From:
shugga (SHUGGA)
To:
Suedusty@aol.com (SUEDUSTY)
14 of 19
Posted:
11/1/98 6:59 PM
Reply to:
503
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I buy mine at Costco or the Vitamin Shoppe. I find they have the best prices in my
area. I started out taking 3 pills, that's 1500mg, a day. My heels have not bothered
me in months, since the end of the summer, so I've cut myself down to 500mg or
1000mg., or as I feel necessary. Good Luck!
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Message 548
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From:
Suedusty@aol.com (SUEDUSTY)
To:
shugga (SHUGGA)
15 of 19
Posted:
11/2/98 4:34 PM
Reply to:
544
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Thanks, Diane and Shugga for telling me where you get your glucosamine.
Costco is near me. I guess I'll try them first. That is just glucosaiame sulfate and no
chondroitin in the Costco supplement?
Sue
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Message 549
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From:
shugga (SHUGGA)
To:
Suedusty@aol.com (SUEDUSTY)
16 of 19
Posted:
11/2/98 7:07 PM
Reply to:
548
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The Costco product is by Shiff and it says "Pain Free brand Chondroitin 400mg
Glucosamine 500mg, Joint Support Formula Dietary Supplement. Shiff is a reputable
company, been around for many years.
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Message 551
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From:
Bead (BEAD)
To:
shugga (SHUGGA)
17 of 19
Posted:
11/2/98 11:55 PM
Reply to:
549
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I have been told that Chrondroitin is very hard for the body
to absorf & I would find the same results with glucosomine
sulfate alone. I have found this to be true so you can save
some money by just getting the glucosomine. I was taking
glucosomine HF * chondroitin and had no sucess but tince I'm
taking the glucosomine sulfate I have had a lot of relief.
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Message 552
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From:
Elise (ELISE59)
To:
Bead (BEAD)
18 of 19
Posted:
11/3/98 10:42 AM
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551
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HOw long did you take the gluc. sulfate before you started getting relief?
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Message 554
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From:
Bead (BEAD)
To:
Elise (ELISE59)
19 of 19
Posted:
11/3/98 4:01 PM
Reply to:
552
I actually felt better by the next day which infuriated me
because I had been taking the glu. H for almost a year with no
results. I kept taking it because other said it helped them &
I kept hoping. It wasen't until Diane on this message board
told me about glucosomine sulfate that I realized there was a
difference & I had many conversations with people in the
health food store about it. When I went in to buy the sulfate
the salesperson said Oh is there a difference so thank heaven
for this site. I have really found it helpf
user-38h1s2r.dialup.mindspring.com 18:01:52