Glucosamine

I have been taking the dietary supplements Glucosamine HCI/Chondroitin Sulfate for several months. These supplements are known to reduce joint pain, of which I suffer in my knee, especially when I go hiking. It was after my aunt and uncle told me that they gave a cat-sized portion to their 14 year old cat and it cured her osteoarthritis, allowing her to walk around without pain, that I decided to try the supplement.

After taking three pills a day for three months (more or less), I decided it was time to test its effectiveness by going on a hike that I have done before: Iron Mountain. The last time I hiked the mountain before talking the pills, my knees were aching as I hiked down. My friends had to wait at the bottom for me because I was so slow. Then my knees hurt for several days afterwards. This is a problem that has been worsening for me over the last 10 years. So yesterday morning, I drove up to Iron mountain and set out on a hike. It is three miles to the peak. I made it to the top in one hour, stopping three times the rest and stretch my muscles. I spent 10 minutes at the top enjoying the 360 degree, slightly hazy view of San Diego county. Now the real test is the hike back down. It took me one hour make it back down, with one stop to rest at the half-way point. My knees didn't hurt, but my leg muscles sure did. Aching muscles are good, that indicate they are getting a good work-out. I'm not sure why it took me the same amount of time to hike down, because I know I was walking faster and I only stopped once.

This morning, after a good nights rest, my knees feel fine and my muscles are only a little tired. So I would say that the drugs worked! My only concern is that I havn't consulted my doctor about this supplement. He might tell me not to take it, since there have been no tests proving its safety and effectiveness in humans. I will continue to take the pills, and hopefully go on other, more strenuous hikes.